A solid night of fights with some good finishes, though not too many suprising endings. Phil Davis was able to take a decision over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the main event and Anthony Johnson made a successful return against Dan Hardy. Now onto the matches to make
Cut List - Sean McCorkle, Kris McCray, Mario Miranda, Alex Caceras
Phil Davis vs the winner of Jason Brillz vs Vlad Matyushenko
Davis was able to edge Nogueira in the main event, but he is still a few fights away from a potential title shot. A fight against the winner of Brillz v Matyushenko provides another tough, veteran opponent for Davis, though one he should be able to beat. Davis needs to work on what to do when he can't score his takedowns, and neither Brillz or Matyushenko pose a huge threat to him on the feet. A win in this fight for Davis could have him one fight away from a title shot.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs Cyrille Diabate
Nogueira has now dropped two straight and needs to bounce back in order to ensure he stays in the UFC. Diabate is coming off a dominant performance over Steve Cantwell, and is a good style matchup for Nogueira. Diabate is dangerous on the feet, like Nogueira, but is not as dangerous on the ground. For Diabate, a win would be the biggest of his career, and for Nogueria a win is what he needs to potentially save his career.
Anthony Johnson vs the winner of Nate Diaz vs Rory McDonald
Johnson made a successful return to the Octagon in his decision win over Dan Hardy, and more importantly he made weight and didn't gas in his fight. A fight against Diaz or McDonald would be the first step on a path to a title shot for Johnson, and a stern test for him at this point of his career. Neither guys are likely to be controlled like Hardy was on the ground, and should provide a stiff test to see where Johnson stands in the division.
Dan Hardy vs Matt Serra
Hardy didn't show anything we didn't know already in his loss to Anthony Johnson - we already knew his wrestling was shit. After three straight losses, he is in a must win situation if he doesn't get cut, and a fight against Matt Serra would be a do or die for both guys. Matt Serra hasn't fought since a decision loss to Chris Lytle, but could come in and wrestle Hardy down for a win. Hardy would have the edge standing, but if he can't shore up his wrestling than he's not going to stay in the UFC for long.
Amir Sadollah vs Chris Lytle
Sadollah, in finishing DeMarques Johnson with strikes, scored one of the biggest wins of his career, and may finally be ready to start working towards a title shot. Chris Lytle has long been the gatekeeper of the welterweight division - the best have all been able to beat him, but he has turned away all the guys that haven't had what it takes to be a contender. It's time to see if Sadollah can move into the top of the division, or if Lytle will show him where he belongs.
Leonard Garcia vs Nam Phan 2
The fight was originally scheduled before Phan got injured, and Garcia's loss to Chan Sung Jung makes the fight no less appealing. Garcia's win over Phan was questionable at best, and Phan deserves a do-over (just like Jung did).
Mike Russow vs Brendan Schaub
Russow stayed undefeated with a doctor's stoppage win over Jon Madsen, and it's time he took a serious step up. Schaub is coming off his KO win over Mirko Cro Cop, and the winner of a fight between the two might be only one more fight away from a title shot. Russow has proven that he is a capable striker and wrestler, and at his age his time to gun for a title shot is now.
Jon Madsen vs the loser of Stefan Struve vs Travis Browne
Madsen didn't gain any fans in his loss to Mike Russow, as he was unable to mount any real offense throughout the fight. A fight against the loser of Struve v Browne would likely be a do or die fight for Madsen, as he hasn't been an exciting fighter throughout his UFC tenure.
Mackens Semerzier vs Chan Sung Jung
Both guys picked up submission wins to end losing streaks, and a fight between the two could provide fireworks. Both these guys are capable standing or on the ground, and a win would push one of them towards contention. The loser would probably stay in the UFC as well, but would be in a must win situation in his next fight.
John Hathaway vs Johnny Hendricks
Hathaway had a tough time getting through Kris McCray, and needs to be more impressive in his next performance. Hendricks was able to quickly TKO TJ Waldburger, and looks to be ready to move up the welterweight ladder. Both these guys are still a ways away from title contention, but a fight between the two should be close and will help to sort out which one is a contender and which one isn't.
Michael McDonald vs the winner of Charlie Valencia vs Ivan Menjivar
McDonald looked great through the first two rounds of his fight against Edwin Figueroa, though he tired in the third round. A fight against either Valencia or Menjivar would be a solid step up in competition, while still providing McDonald with a fight he could win.
Edwin Figueroa vs Antonio Banuelos
Figueroa showed a lot of toughness in his loss to Michael McDonald, but also showed that he needs to improve his over all game. Banuelos lost his UFC debut against Miguel Torres, and is also looking to get back to winning. A fight between the two should be close, and the loser would likely have to look for work elsewhere after the fight.
Christian Morecraft vs Joey Beltran
Morecraft was able to pick up his first win over Sean McCorkle, but is still at the bottom of the division. A fight against another guy at the bottom like Joey Beltran gives Morecraft a chance to develop, and it gives Beltran a fight that he could very well win. This is a fight that is a must win for both guys, as a loss could result in a cut for both of them.
Aaron Simpson vs Alan Belcher
Simpson was able to stop his losing streak with a decision over Mario Miranda, and now needs to start working his way back up the ladder. Belcher should be returning soon from a long layoff, and Simpson would be a perfect comeback fight - a guy with some name value that Belcher should be able to beat. For Simpson, the fight provides the chance to pick up a win against a name fighter that may not be at 100%. Either way, it should be a good fight as both these guys are capable of knocking the other out.
TJ Waldburger vs DeMarques Johnson
Both these guys ended up getting finished in thier fights to Johnny Hendricks and Amir Sadollah respectivly, and need to bounce back. A loss would not be good for either fighter, and that should drive the intensity of the fight up if both fighters go for broke.
Nik Lentz vs the winner of Mark Bocek vs Ben Henderson
Lentz picked up his fifth UFC win, and also his first finish. It's time for Lentz to take a much needed step up in competition, and a fight against the winner of the upcoming Bocek v Henderson fight provides exactly that. Both guys are more than capable of grappling with Lentz, and will hopefully be able to push the pace enough to make the fight exciting.
Waylon Lowe vs Danny Downes
Winner stays, loser gets cut. Nuff said.
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