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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 47 "Bader vs. St. Preux"
Aug 17, 2014 - 11:55:57 AM
MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 47 "Bader vs. St. Preux"
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By: Dan Moore, MMA Torch UK Columnist

The main card of UFC Fight Night 47 turned out to be pretty good, with only the main event going to a decision. It's way too early to know what comes next for the winners and losers, but that doesn't mean I can't have a bit of harmless fun trying to predict what's next on their horizon.

MAIN CARD WINNERS

RYAN BADER (18-4, 11-4 UFC) -
Another workmanlike performance from Bader, who continues to prove his worth against anyone in the division not considered elite. This fight was always likely to go to a decision, and the outcome was never in doubt when Bader secured his first takedown.

During the Jon Anik post-fight interview, Bader was rather nondescript about who he wants as a next opponent. Whoever it might be, it makes sense to have him on the UFC on Fox 13 card in Phoenix. He noted a few nagging injuries, but that shouldn't be an issue with the Phoenix card still four-months away.

Choosing his next opponent should be as easy as deciding where it takes place. Aside from those already assigned fights, only Alexander Gustafsson, Anthony Johnson, Dan Henderson, and Rashad Evans sit above him in the UFC rankings. The first two will probably fight each other, and Henderson shouldn't even be ranked that high. That leaves Rashad Evans, and if he's ready to fight in December, that's the fight to make.

Next Fight: vs. RASHAD EVANS


ROSS PEARSON (16-7 (1 NC), 8-4 (1 NC) UFC) -
The Englishman should be riding a two fight win streak if not for the horrible decision loss to Diego Sanchez. However, he learned a valuable lesson that night, and he didn't make the same mistake.

Let me be clear, Gray Maynard in 2014 is a shadow of his former self, but this is still a fine win for Pearson. It's the signature win he's been waiting for; he finally gets a win over a ranked opponent. Now he needs to build on this momentum as he moves toward top 15 discussion.

It doesn't make sense to rebook the fight with Abel Turjillo, because it wasn't an original booking anyway. To be honest, Trujillo is a horrible match-up for Pearson. My choice would be Michael Johnson, who's been resurgent of late and sits at No. 10 in the UFC lightweight rankings. Both have very good stand-up skills, and both are always game for a striking battle.

Next Fight: vs. MICHAEL JOHNSON


TIM BOETSCH (18-7, 9-6 UFC) -
I still have no idea how Tim Boetsch pulled that win out of the bag last night. He was behind and en route to another loss until a brilliant uppercut, followed by an even more decisive right hook, put Tavares down and out. A great home town win, and another great comeback, even if it wasn't as monumental as the Okami version.

If Michael Bisping beats Cung Le next weekend, and doesn't get the Luke Rockhold fight he most certainly doesn't deserve, this is the fight to make for Boetsch. They were originally scheduled to fight on the UFC 149 card but injury curtailed that.

Since then their paths haven't aligned again, until now. This fight makes perfect sense to me and the winner can reclaim some momentum to move on to bigger and better things heading into 2015. Nate Marquardt is the alternative pick if the above doesn't go according to plan.

Next Fight: vs. MICHAEL BISPING


ALAN JOUBAN (10-2, 1-0 UFC) -
I'd heard good things about Jouban before last night ,and I expected him to beat Seth Baczynski. However, his cardio was brutal, and Baczynski made life difficult for him, so it was far from the dominant debut I also expected. Tim Means will offer another decent test of his credentials, and hopefully the turnaround is quick enough.

Next Fight: vs. TIM MEANS


SHAWN JORDAN (16-6, 4-3 UFC) -
The finish was decent but the rest of the fight was horrible. There's nothing satisfying about watching a rotund chap chasing a cumbersome giant well out of his depth in the UFC. Jordan will be another small step up the ladder for Jared Rosholt, so let's do that next.

Next Fight: vs. JARED ROSHOLT


THIAGO TAVARES (19-5-1, 9-5-1 UFC) -
For me he's a mini version of Vitor Belfort in terms of physique and appearance. He's obviously nowhere close to the same level of quality as his fellow Brazilian, but that was a very impressive featherweight debut.

Injuries delayed his debut at 145 lbs, but hopefully he'll be good to go sooner rather later. Lucas Martins is on a good run and it's the common sense fight to make for a future event in Brazil. Whoever wins it will surely be earmarked for a top 15 opponent straight after.

Next Fight: vs. LUCAS MARTINS


MAIN CARD LOSERS

OVINCE ST-PREUX (16-6, 4-1 UFC) -
This was always going to be a tricky fight for OSP. Yes he's won his first four UFC fights, but the most significant of those was over Ryan Jimmo. He got his chance, couldn't take it, now it's back to the drawing board.

OSP showed a tactical ineptness last night that needs a lot of work before ever facing a top 10 opponent again. On the plus side, he wasn't ever really in danger of being finished, and he lasted 25 minutes, proving that his cardio is a match for most at light heavyweight. Sadly that's it.

The UFC can do one of two things for his next fight. They can match him up against a declining superstar gatekeeper like Mauricio Rua or Dan Henderson. Or, they can pit him against someone of similar circumstance like Jimi Manuwa. The Brit also started off with a string of victories before losing to someone elite like Alexander Gustafsson.

Next Fight: vs. JIMI MANUWA


GRAY MAYNARD (11-4-1 (1 NC), 9-4 (1 NC) UFC) -
If you get knocked out three times in a row it's probably time to give up the ghost and move on. Maynard was barely recognizable last night from the man who pushed Frankie Edgar so close over three-years ago. That makes me sad because Gray Maynard used to be a beast.

He didn't look like he wanted to be there and he had nothing left to offer. The Maynard of old would've dropped Pearson on his back for fun en route to a nice victory. I want him to quit, but that's not what this article is all about. So, if he's insistent on doing it all again I'm going for Evan Dunham, another well known name riding a three-fight losing streak.

Next Fight: vs. EVAN DUNHAM


BRAD TAVARES (12-3, 7-3 UFC) -
If you switch off for just a second, or make the slightest error in judgment, then bad stuff happens. Tavares didn't really do anything wrong, he was just on the receiving end of a solid connection that ruined his good work up to that point.

That's two consecutive defeats against ranked opponents, but Tavares is still worthy of another chance against a higher level opponent. If they match him up with a fighter coming off a loss; James Te-Huna is a good option if he remains a middleweight. If not I see him being matched up with the loser of Thales Leites vs. Francis Carmont.

Next Fight: vs. JAMES TE-HUNA


SETH BACZYNSKI (19-12, 5-5 UFC) -
That's four defeats in his last five fights, but it doesn't necessarily spell the end for Baczynski. I personally think he should be cut, but the UFC will probably keep him around and give him one last chance.

Next Fight: vs. T.J. WALDBURGER


JACK MAY (7-2, 0-2 UFC) -
A man so out of his depth, he should have been wearing armbands in the Octagon last night. Just because you're 6 ft 8 in and built like a brick outhouse, it doesn't guarantee you'll be good. He isn't good, he's terrible. After going 0-2 it's time to send him back to the minors.

Next Fight: vs. Anyone not in the UFC


ROBBIE PERALTA (18-5 (1 NC), 4-2 (1 NC) UFC) -
Thiago Tavares made light work of Robbie Peralta and in doing so made him look worse than he actually is. Jimy Hettes is in need of a credible bounce back win and Peralta could be just the guy to provide him with it.

Next Fight: vs. JIMY HETTES


NOTABLE UNDERCARD WINNERS

JUSSIER FORMIGA (17-3, 3-2 UFC) -
Assuming McCall vs. Lineker happens; it doesn't leave too many options for Formiga. Either give him the winner of Moraga vs. Scoggins or, better yet, provide Dustin Ortiz with another big test and let's see if he sinks or swims.

Next Fight: vs. DUSTIN ORTIZ


SARA McMANN (8-1, 2-1 UFC) -
McMann beat a very credible opponent in Lauren Murphy even if most don't know her. She made hard work of it but the Olympic wrestling background she has will always stand her in good stead against anyone not named, Ronda Rousey.

Next Fight: vs. SARAH KAUFMAN


NOTABLE UNDERCARD LOSERS

ZACH MAKOVSKY (18-5, 2-1 UFC) -
Both Makovsky and Elliott need a bounce back win, and from a rankings perspective this one makes the most sense. I hate the idea of a Makovsky vs. Pickett fight, but unfortunately the UFC will inevitably consider it at great length.

Next Fight: vs. TIM ELLIOTT


LAUREN MURPHY (8-1, 0-1 UFC) -
Even if Leslie Smith is coming off a win, Lauren Murphy is still a worthy opponent. Sara McMann was just too much, too soon, and she will go on to provide tough opposition to anyone not top five.

Next Fight: vs. LESLIE SMITH


I'm back next weekend with another 'Fights to Make' column for UFC Fight Night 48 and UFC Fight Night 49.

Feel free to follow me and share your opinion, @MMATorchDan


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