Post-UFC 204 matchmaking: what's next for the winners?
Here are some potential matches for the standout winners and main card fighters of UFC 204: Bisping vs. Henderson 2.
UFC 204 saw middleweight champion Michael Bisping make history in the main event against the legendary Dan Henderson. By successfully defending his title, Bisping surpassed Georges St-Pierre for the most wins in UFC history with 20. He also avenged his 2009 loss to Henderson, who landed a brutal knockout blow that has been played over and over on highlight reels in the years since.
In the co-main event, Gegard Mousasi put former light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort away with a relentless barrage of strikes. Mousasi, who is dissatisfied with his status in the middleweight division, has recently become more vocal in his campaign to run through the best of the 185-pounders.
The rest of the card featured several other impressive finishing performances. The standout moments were Stefan Struve’s D’arce choke on Daniel Omielańczuk, Jimi Manuwa’s crushing knockout of Ovince St-Preux and Mirsad Bektić’s rear-naked choke over Russel Doane. Oh, and don’t forget Iuri Alcantara, who landed a spinning elbow on Brad Pickett before sinking in a triangle choke. Let’s see if we can figure out what will come next for UFC 204’s victorious fighters.
Oct 8, 2016; Manchester, UK; Brad Pickett (red gloves) fights against Iuri Alcantara (blue gloves) during UFC 204 at Manchester Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Iuri Alcantara
Alcantara (34-7-1 NC) put on one of the best performances of his octagon career. Pickett is always a game opponent, but Alcantara simply had his way with him. He impressed on the feet by landing a hard spinning elbow and followed up on the mat with an onslaught of ground strikes and some slick grappling. Alcantara was two steps ahead of Pickett during their roll. The Brazilian gained the mount and went for a mounted triangle. Pickett rolled and Alcantara transitioned to an armbar. When Pickett tried to step over the armbar, Alcantara transitioned back to the triangle — that was all she wrote for Pickett. Spending time at Jackson Wink MMA definitely seems to have benefited the Brazilian fighter.
Pickett is a solid veteran, so this is certainly a credible victory, but the Brit hasn’t been performing well lately, so the win might not do much for Alcantara’s standing in an increasingly crowded bantamweight division. Maybe it moves him into the top 15. What matters most for Alcantara is that he avoided consecutive loses and he got back in the win column after losing to Jimmie Rivera in January at UFC on FOX 18. He can probably expect his next opponent to be around the top 15. How about Eddie Wineland or Thomas Almeida?
Oct 8, 2016; Manchester, UK; Mirsad Bektic (red gloves) fights against Russell Doane (blue gloves) during UFC 204 at Manchester Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Mirsad Bektic
Bektić (11-0) has not missed a beat since recovering from an ACL injury that kept him out of action for over a year. His UFC 204 opponent was supposed to be British prospect Arnold Allen, but Allen pulled out due to injury and Doane stepped in on short notice. Though Doane is not the caliber of competition he was probably hoping for, Bektić looked crisp and his completely dominant performance proved he’s still the prospect he was before his injury.
When he sustained the knee injury, Bektić was preparing to face Japanese staple Tatsuya Kawajiri. That contest would have been the step up in competition Bektić has been looking for. The Bosnian-American fighter is undefeated in his professional career. His four UFC wins include victories over fellow prospects Chas Skelly and Lucas Martins.
Now that Bektić is through his tune-up fight against Doane, he deserves better competition. I’m not saying he needs someone in the top 10, though. Bektić should face a respected name he can use as a stepping stone to those kinds of fights. Doo Hoo Choi or Andre Fili sound like a good options.
Oct 8, 2016; Manchester, UK; Jimi Manuwa (blue gloves) enters the arena before his fight against Ovince Saint Preux during UFC 204 at Manchester Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Jimi Manuwa
What we saw at UFC 204 was a mature Manuwa (16-2). Saint-Preux is a tricky test for anyone given his size, athleticism and unorthodox style. Most would agree OSP won the first round by using long striking and heavy grappling. In the second round, Manuwa adjusted his approach. He began opening up his strikes with more kicks and body shots. The shots to the body gave him the opening for a KO punch to the head, and boy did it land.
The Nigerian born fighter from the UK is 2-2 in his last four fights. The other win was a decision over Jan Blachowiz and the losses came to Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson. Manuwa was undefeated in his first 14 fights, three in the UFC, before suffering his first career defeat to Gustafsson.
Manuwa needed this win to keep his name afloat among the top guys in the light heavyweight division. Although he only has two losses on his record, he was 1-2 heading into UFC 204. Going 1-3 would have been very bad. Losses to proven contenders at 205 pounds are nothing to be ashamed of, but a loss to OSP would have led to questions about Manuwa’s credentials as a championship level fighter. Glover Teixeira is a ranked, battle-tested veteran who isn’t afraid to trade blows. Manua vs. Teixeira would be a fun headliner for an international Fight Night card.
Oct 8, 2016; Manchester, UK; Stefan Struve (red gloves) celebrates his win against Daniel Omielanczuk (blue gloves) during UFC 204 at Manchester Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Stefan Struve
Struve (28-8) has come a long way since his octagon debut at UFC 95, where Junior dos Santos just ran through him. He’s gone up and down in the rankings by delivering some impressive finishes and being finished impressively. After his submission win over Omielańczuk at UFC 204, he now has two wins in a row. His last fight was a first round knockout over former title challenger Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.
In 2014, “The Skyscraper” learned he has an enlarged heart with a leaking aortic valve. Surgery was an option, but he opted to take medicine to reduce his blood pressure and was eventually cleared by doctors to resume fighting. Just before what was supposed to be his first fight back, against Matt Mitrione at UFC 175, Struve fainted in the dressing room and the fight was canceled. Insistent on continuing his fighting career, Struve took a fight against Alistair Overeem at UFC on FOX 13. He lost by first-round knockout.
Since then, Struve is 3-2. He called for a shot against heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic after dispatching Omielańczuk, which seems unlikely. The Dutch fighter does have a knockout win over Miocic, the only man to accomplish that feat, but that’s really his only claim to a rematch. I definitely wouldn’t call him a top contender, but he does deserve to be ranked. An opponent in the lower top 10 makes sense. How about a veteran like Josh Barnett or Andrei Arlovski?
Oct 8, 2016; Manchester, UK; Vitor Belfort (red gloves) fights against Gegard Mousasi (blue gloves) during UFC 204 at Manchester Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi (40-6-2) had been calling out UFC legend Vitor Belfort for a long time. When the matchup finally presented itself, he absolutely made the most of it. Implementing a kick-heavy strategy, Mousasi was able to escape Belfort’s flurries and attack with his own when an opening for the finish appeared.
After the fight, Mousasi said he thinks he’s hitting his prime, and I’d have to agree. He also said he would not take a fight that doesn’t benefit his position in the rankings. Considering the run he’s on, what he’s done in his career and where other fighters in the division stand, that’s probably a smart stance to take.
If it were not for the three losses spread out over his last nine fights, Mousasi would definitely be next in line for a crack at Bisping. The major setback was his upset TKO loss in 2015 to Uriah Hall at UFC Fight Night 75 in Japan.
But the man is now on a four-fight win streak, all against ranked opponents. Mousasi just finished a former UFC light heavyweight champion and three-time UFC title challenger currently ranked as the No. 5 middleweight. He deserves someone in the top four. After his UFC 204 win, he told FOX Sports correspondent Megan Olivi he agrees the top four guys deserve their rankings and he thinks he takes the No. 5 spot. Those fighters are all booked right now, but he either wants one of them after their respective fights or former pound-for-pound kingpin Anderson Silva. I’m down with those options, but maybe another option will present itself in the meantime.
Oct 8, 2016; Manchester, UK; Michael Bisping (red gloves) enters the octagon before his fight against Dan Henderson (blue gloves) during UFC 204 at Manchester Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Bisping
For Bisping (30-7), speculation is actually pretty clear cut. In November at UFC 205, former middleweight champion Chris Weidman returns to face No. 4-ranked middleweight Yoel Romero. Later that month, No. 3-ranked Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza rematches the last man to hold the belt, Luke Rockhold, at UFC Fight Night 101. The winner of one of those two bouts is expected to be next up for the champ.
Luke Rockhold
Jun 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Michael Bisping (blue) fights Luke Rockhold (red) during UFC 199 at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Rockhold is probably the most deserving contender. Out of the four potential challengers, he’s the only one to have faced and defeated Bisping. He lost the belt to Bisping when his original opponent for UFC 199, Weidman, pulled out with an injury 17 days before the fight. Bisping did the UFC a solid by stepping in as a replacement, and Rockhold’s acceptance of the last minute opponent change is just as commendable. He did the UFC a favor and it would be upright for the promotion to return in kind.
Rockhold has also beaten some big names, which should help him. Just two fights ago, Rockhold pounded out the No. 2-ranked Weidman to obtain the belt. In the two fights before, he scored consecutive submission wins over Bisping and former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida. Rockhold also holds a unanimous decision win over fellow contender and upcoming opponent Souza from their days in Strikeforce.
So, Rockhold has wins over the champion and two out of the other three contenders. Aside from his record-based case for a title shot, he also has a heated rivalry with Bisping that is well documented. A trilogy grudge match between the champion and a former champion currently dating A-list celebrity pop singer Demi Lovato probably sounds delightful to UFC execs.
“Jacare” Souza
December 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Ronaldo Souza poses during weigh-ins for UFC 194 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Souza has been plugging away for quite a while toward that elusive title shot. He’s 9-1 in his last 10 fights, and eight of those ended by finish. In his 28 career victories, 16 have come by submission and 3 by KO/TKO. During his octagon career, the Brazilian has beaten the likes of Belfort, Mousasi, Francis Carmont, Yushin Okami and Chris Camozzi twice.
When “Jacare” was fighting under the Strikeforce banner, he racked up wins over fighters who have gone on to make successful careers inside the octagon, including No. 12-ranked middleweight Tim Kennedy, the recently dethroned Robbie Lawler and No. 8-ranked middleweight Derek Brunson.
Unfortunately for Souza, his only two losses in the last five years came against two other people vying for the top spot, Rockhold and Romero. But as the matchmaking gods would have it, the submission ace is now booked to rematch Rockhold. Evening the score with a former UFC and Strikeforce champ would definitely wipe away a good chunk of the case against him.
Chris Weidman
May 23, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chris Wiedman (red gloves) and Vitor Belfort (blue gloves) fight during their middleweight championship bout during UFC 187 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Weidman won via first round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Weidman has been out of action for a while. He last competed on Dec. 12, 2015 at UFC 194, when he handed Rockhold the belt and suffered the first defeat of his career. Before the loss, Weidman was considered the new breed at 185 pounds. He earned a UFC championship with an undefeated record by knocking out the seemingly invincible Anderson Silva. “The All-American” then went on to defend his title against a slew of Brazilian MMA legends in Silva, Machida and Belfort.
Not to diminish Weidman’s accomplishments, but the fighters he defended his belt against are not exactly what they used to be. Since his title defenses, all of those opponents have hit career rough patches. The case can be made Weidman fought them past their primes and when he faced a peaking contender in Rockhold, he lost. A win over Romero would certainly be a strong boost and cement Weidman as the No. 1 or 2 guy. If Rockhold beats Souza, though, it’s unlikely Weidman will be first in line for Bisping.
Yoel Romero
December 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Yoel Romero lands punches against Ronaldo Souza during UFC 194 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
On paper, Romero makes a strong case. He and Souza are the only fighters of the four entering their respective bouts following a win. Romero also has the longest winning streak of the four middleweights, with seven consecutive victories. Three of those came against top-15 fighters: Kennedy, Brunson and Souza. The Cuban-born fighter also holds a knockout win over Machida.
However, Romero’s recent suspension due to a doping violation from an out-of-competition drug test will work against him. His fight with Weidman will be his first since the positive test.
The suspension does come with an asterisk. Standard USADA suspensions are two years. However, Romero appealed the test results. The fighter claimed he tested positive due to a contaminated supplement. Both his management team and USADA found unopened samples of the supplement contained the same banned substance Romero tested positive for. Eventually, the two sides settled on a six-month suspension.
That does it for the four contenders we know about. BUT WAIT! Is there a fifth challenger who could jump the line?
Oct 8, 2016; Manchester, UK; Gegard Mousasi (blue gloves) celebrates his victory over Vitor Belfort during UFC 204 at Manchester Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
Wild Card
Bisping defended his belt in early October. It’s not unreasonable to think the Brit could return to fight at the end of December or early January. That would probably be too quick a turnaround for any of the top four guys, who all compete in November. One of those fighters would have to emerge unscathed to make it possible. Even then, it would still be a fairly speedy return.
So our wild card challenger is … Mousasi! He’s ranked No. 9 and he just beat the fifth-ranked middleweight. I think it’s pretty safe to assume Mousasi will be moving up in the rankings. Current No. 7 and No. 8-ranked middleweights Robert Whittaker and Brunson, respectively, are also booked to square off in November. Bisping just beat the No. 6-ranked Silva earlier this year, which really only leaves Mousasi. Since Mousasi has become more outspoken in recent fights, his media buzz and fan interest have grown noticeably. The veteran wants to fight sooner rather than later, given the right matchup. It’s possible timing could be a great friend to him.
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