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By: Eric Hobaugh, MMATorch Contributor
UFC on Fox 6 was an entertaining night of free fights complete with a view of the end of one era and the beginning of another. Rampage Jackson may very well have fought his last fight in the UFC. Demetrious Johnson defended his title for the first of what I think will be many title defenses.
Winners
Ricardo Lamas: Moving to 4-0 in the UFC, Lamas showed he can stay with the best fighters in the world with his victory over Erik Koch. The win was not a huge surprise, but the way he won was devastating. He ran through Koch like a knife through warm butter and he should be given a top five opponent in his next fight.
Glover Teixeira: Teixeira is a legit threat to anyone at 205 and should now be in the mix after the way he defeated Rampage. It still amazes me how many fans do not know his name. After his performance on UFC on Fox 6, they will. I would love to see him fight Ryan Bader or Phil Davis in his next fight.
Anthony Pettis: When Pettis lost to Clay Guida in 2011, I thought he was just another decent fighter from the WEC who would never compete for UFC gold. Now, three fights removed from that loss, he finds him not only on a three fight win streak, but I think is the best bet to win the UFC Lightweight Title in 2013.
John Dodson: Though he lost his first title shot to Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Fox 6, if he had been fighting any other fighter in the world besides Demetrious Johnson, he would be the UFC Champion. How many of his 'free' fights have been better than the high dollar PPV main events? He is one of the most exciting fighters in the world to watch and I cannot wait to see him again.
Demetrious Johnson: The UFC Flyweight Champion proved against the best challenger around that he is the best 125 lb. fighter in the world. The speed at which he moves is almost unbelievable. Not only is he the best flyweight in terms of technique and skills, he also proved he can be rocked and still come forward for the win. What's next for him? Who cares as long as we get to watch it.
Losers
Erik Koch: The Roufusport featherweight was supposed to be fighting Jose Aldo for the Featherweight Title at UFC 149 and then at UFC 153. He was forced to drop out of the UFC 153 fight due to injury and Frankie Edgar stepped in. His loss last night to Ricardo Lamas was not just a loss, but the kind of loss that may take him out of the title picture for some time. He was dominated so badly with that ground and pound, he will need at least three quality wins before he is looked at again for a title shot.
Donald Cerrone: "Cowboy" has all the physical skills to be a world champion. He has fought well against many elite fighters. There is nothing to be ashamed of by losing to Anthony Pettis, but the way he lost was disastrous. Pettis dominated him to the extent he will have to reevaluate his entire game. He is an exciting fighter, so I think he still has many fights left in the UFC, but he will need to put two quality wins together to earn his way back into the top ten.
Rampage Jackson: The Ricardo Arona slam. His Pride KO win over Kevin Randleman. The KO win over Chuck Liddell for the title. His devastating KO win over Wanderlei Silva. These are the ways I choose to remember Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson. He changed the way the sport was fought and the way we watched as fans. Seriously, how many fans tuned into his Pride and UFC fights to see one of his slams or classic KO's? Countless fans of MMA are fans because of Rampage. I choose not to read or listen to all of the bitching he has done about how "the UFC screwed him over" and how "the promotion does not appreciate him." In his last three fights, he has lost to Jon Jones, Ryan Bader, and Glover Teixeira. I hope he retires and makes movies. He is not a bad actor and his movies do not suck. If he fades away into the Hollywood sign the way Randy Couture has, it will be a great ending to an amazing career. My fear is, the next headline we read about Rampage will be "Rampage Jackson signs a five year deal with Bellator."
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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