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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 49 "Henderson vs. Dos Anjos"
Aug 24, 2014 - 2:55:58 PM
MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 49 "Henderson vs. Dos Anjos"
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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

All in all, UFC Fight Night 49 provided us with a very enjoyable main card littered with exciting and sometimes unexpected quick finishes. The surprise results certainly made my life more difficult, especially trying to come up with a suitable next opponent for Rafael dos Anjos.

MAIN CARD WINNERS


RAFAEL DOS ANJOS (22-7, 11-5 UFC) -
No one saw that win coming, at least not in the manner it happened. On the one hand, the UFC are probably grateful Henderson has been removed from title contention for the foreseeable future. However, a win for dos Anjos creates another problematic situation that doesn't offer up a whole host of options.

Rafael dos Anjos should be fighting for the title next, but life in the UFC isn't always fair.

On the plus side, it was a very impressive win over a consensus top contender. However, it's only win two of a new streak, not forgetting the first came against Jason High, which doesn't count for anything. A one-sided defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov is too fresh in the memory to forget about it completely. That means an instant title shot is not going to happen unless the injury gods strike.

Donald Cerrone and Eddie Alvarez are far more marketable alternatives, and the winner of their fight next month probably goes next. That leaves no clear next opponent for dos Anjos right now, as none of the available options make any real sense.

A rematch against Nurmagomedov to determine the next No. 1 contender is one option. A fight with the loser of Cerrone vs. Alvarez is another, but I don't really like either choice, especially if the latter turns out to be a a rematch with Cerrone. Bobby Green is riding a fantastic win streak, and it's a fight to make if only to keep dos Anjos busy until something better comes along.

Next Fight vs. BOBBY GREEN


JORDAN MEIN (29-9, 3-1 UFC) -
New UFC rankings won't be posted for another couple of days, but it's safe to say that Jordan Mein is going to be a new addition to the top 15. His knockout of Mike Pyle was fantastic and he now moves into the second or third tier of UFC welterweights.

The loss to Matt Brown showed his deficiencies, so I'm not inclined to push him too hard with a top 10 opponent. Both Ryan LaFlare and Kelvin Gastelum sit in the top 10-15 bracket, and both are undefeated. A fight with either guy is cool with me but if forced to pick, I prefer the Gastelum option.

Next Fight vs. KELVIN GASTELUM


THALES LEITES (24-4, 11-4 UFC) -
Another great performance from Leites, whose resurgence in the UFC shows no sign of slowing down. That's four on the bounce and they get better every time. Both Costas Philippou and C.B. Dolloway are ahead of Leites in the rankings, and either would make a decent opponent for the Brazilian. Tim Boetsch is another option if the fight I suggested for Bisping doesn't work out (it probably won't).

Next Fight vs. COSTAS PHILIPPOU


MAX HOLLOWAY (10-3, 6-3 UFC) -
Clay Collard provided far tougher opposition than anyone expected, especially as a late replacement. Holloway did the business eventually, but it wasn't a breeze. Mirsad Bektic is still the fight to make once the Bosnian is fully recovered from injury.

Next Fight vs. Winner of MIRSAD BEKTIC


JAMES VICK (6-0, 2-0 UFC) -
It was great to see Vick back in action last night. He's been so unfortunate with injuries, I really hope he stays healthy to put a good run together. Norman Parke, Francisco Trevino, Joe Proctor, the list goes on. Plenty of choices for Vick in a division saturated with promising talent. I like idea of Parke vs. Vick later this year, as both can mix it up in all facets of the sport, and it promises entertainment.

Next Fight vs. Winner of NORMAN PARKE


CHAS SKELLY (12-1, 1-1 UFC) -
Sweet win for Skelly, who looked good against a decent opponent, albeit seemingly past his prime. Max Holloway is an option as they fought on the same card, but that's too easy. Noad Lahat also had a good bounce back win last month, and if he's back from fighting for his country, let's do that.

Next Fight vs. NOAD LAHAT


NOTABLE MAIN CARD LOSERS

BENSON HENDERSON (21-4, 14-4 UFC) -
Even with a win, it was unlikely that Benson Henderson was going to get a title shot against the winner of Pettis vs. Melendez. Now he's as far away from another shot as he's ever been. Some fighters only need one or two wins, but others like Henderson need to do a lot more. I'm looking down the list,l and there's not a lot out there; however, if Myles Jury easily beats Takenori Gomi next month, then Henderson will provide a much sterner test for the up and comer.

Next Fight vs. MYLES JURY


MIKE PYLE (26-10-1, 9-5 UFC) -
Pyle has been on the cusp of retirement for quite some time but he keeps on going. At 38 years old, now seems like a good time to call it quits, and I hope he does just that for the sake of his health. If he insists on doing it all again then two options stand out: Erick Silva and KJ Noons. Both will be entertaining, so either choice works for me.

Next Fight vs. K.J. NOONS


FRANCIS CARMONT (22-10, 6-3 UFC) -
It all started so well for the Frenchman, but then reality set in. He flew up the rankings in rapid fashion thanks to a series of wins. He's sliding down those very same rankings at a rapid rate, and he's not wearing a parachute.

Opponents have worked him out now, and his ceiling is a lot lower than we all thought at the start of 2014. Mark Munoz is another who peaked before hitting a brick wall so at least one of them will get a much needed victory if the UFC match them together next.

Next Fight vs. MARK MUNOZ


NOTABLE UNDERCARD WINNERS

BEN SAUNDERS (17-6-2, 5-3 UFC) -
Chris Heatherly was always on a hiding to nothing when he accepted this fight, but losing to an omoplata at least gives him a place in the UFC history books. We all know what Saunders can do, and we all know his limitations. This is probably a get in, get out situation, so we might as well get straight to the good bits.

Next Fight vs. THIAGO ALVES

I'm back next weekend with another 'Fights to Make' column, this time for UFC 177.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan


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