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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 54 "MacDonald vs. Saffiedine"
Oct 7, 2014 - 4:00:44 PM MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 54 "MacDonald vs. Saffiedine"

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

Yesterday the 'Fights to Make' focus was all on UFC Fight Night 53, so today my attention turns to UFC Fight Night 54, which also took place last Saturday. Only the main event result will likely impact the title picture (unlucky Mr. Assuncao) but there's plenty of other work to be done focusing on the rest of the winners and losers from the Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, card.

MAIN CARD WINNERS

Rory MacDonald (18-2, 9-2 UFC) - That's got to be enough for Rory MacDonald to earn a title shot against the winner of the championship bout in early December. Beating Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, and Tarec Saffiedine isn't exactly murderer's row, but it's still very impressive. It's also better than anyone else has done over the last twelve months or so.

Even the split decision loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 167 shouldn't be a factor if the latter manages to win the title from Hendricks. It was a competitive fight, and an enjoyable one that could go either way if valuable lessons are learnt. MacDonald hasn't quite been the second coming of Georges St-Pierre, but he's still a very impressive mixed martial artist. He continues to evolve, and at 25 years old there's still plenty more to come.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler


Raphael Assuncao (23-4, 10-3 UFC) - If it weren't for the impressive Dominick Cruz win at UFC 178, my pick would've been a title fight against T.J. Dillashaw. Assuncao deserves his shot, but unfortunately for him, Cruz deserves it more as the former champion who never actually lost his title inside the Octagon. After his previous win over Dillashaw, the Brazilian is in a holding pattern, and has been for two straight fights.

It's time to put him in a meaningful fight that will make or break his chances of being a contender. Assuncao fought and lost to Urijah Faber at WEC 46, but that was nearly five-years ago and things have changed. Faber is still great at what he does, but Assuncao has improved considerably. This would be a very competitive fight, and a win for Assuncao would leave no doubt he's the next #1 contender.

Next Fight vs. Urijah Faber


Chad Laprise (9-0, 2-0 UFC) - Laprise is definitely one of those fighters the UFC loves to cut as soon as they put together a run of defeats. What he does is effective, but it's not very appealing to fans. Right now, though, everything is rosy. He's winning and he's still undefeated. Like Theodorou, there is absolutely no need to rush him, but there is a need to step up the level of opponent slightly.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Gilbert Burns vs. Christos Giagos


Elias Theodorou (10-0, 2-0 UFC) - That wasn't a great performance but Theodorou got the job done to move to 2-0 in the UFC. It's difficult to ascertain where he is right now, because although he's 2-0 and a TUF winner, not many know too much about him outside of Canada and the hard core fans. His next fight should certainly be higher profile, and preferably against someone with a similar record and level of experience.

Next Fight vs. Sean Strickland


Mitch Gagnon (12-2, 4-1 UFC) - Gagnon has put together a nice little run during his time in the UFC. Yes the win over Roman Salazar was virtually a given, but he's 4-1 now and looking good. I was really looking forward to his originally scheduled fight against Aljamain Sterling, and it's definitely a fight the UFC should consider again once both are healthy enough.

Next Fight vs. Aljamain Sterling


NOTABLE MAIN CARD LOSERS


Tarec Saffiedine (15-4, 1-1 UFC) - He's a former Strikeforce Champion and he kicks like a mule. He isn't elite, but there are two reasons why Saffiedine can still impact the welterweight division for a long time to come. I'm not saying he's good enough to win a title or even contend for it, but he could easily stop one or two others from getting that high up the divisional rankings.

From a match maker standpoint, it would be easy to throw him in against Gunnar Nelson next. It would fit in easily as a main event on a European Fight Pass event based on what the UFC has delivered so far. I'm not picking that today though because I chose John Hathaway as a next opponent for Nelson, and I still prefer that fight. Instead, I prefer the idea of Saffiedine fighting the loser of the upcoming welterweight fight at UFC 181 next month.

Next Fight vs. Loser of Jake Ellenberger vs. Kelvin Gastelum


Bryan Caraway (19-7, 4-4 UFC) - Caraway more than met his match on Saturday night, and was outclassed from start to finish. He's talented, with good cardio and great determination, but is destined to remain in the shadows. He'll give anyone a good fight, but he isn't skilled enough to really test, or even beat, elite performers like Assuncao. Francisco Rivera falls into the same category, so it makes sense to match them up next.

Next Fight vs. Francisco Rivera


NOTABLE PRELIMINARY CARD WINNER


Daron Cruickshank (16-5, 6-3 UFC) - After Cruickshank brutally knocked out Erik Koch in May, I thought a light switch had been turned on. I was wrong, Cruickshank isn't ready for bigger and better things. Yes he won, but it was Anthony Njokuani, and he was expected to win comfortably. Cruickshank is good, but so are 25 other lightweights, and most of them are a lot better, much like Jorge Masvidal was in July.

Next Fight vs. Gleison Tibau


WHO'S NEXT FOR EVERYONE ELSE

Yosdenis Cedeno
One step forward is followed by one step back. Josh Shockley needs a new opponent once he's recovered from injury.
Next Fight vs. Josh Shockley

Bruno Santos
Defeat to two up and coming middleweights, sandwiched by a gifted win, and that's your lot. A fight in Brazil for the first time in three years should come next.
Next Fight vs. Antonio Braga Neto

Roman Salazar
Named after my favourite '24' villain (season 3) and he fought like him too. He deserves another chance for taking the fight on short notice.
Next Fight vs. Nolan Ticman

Chris Kelades
Talk about making the most of your opportunities. Kelades probably peaked in that one fight but he doesn't care.
Next Fight vs. Ray Borg

Patrick Holohan
Hero to zero in one event takes some doing. Back to the drawing board for this SBG Ireland team member.
Next Fight vs. Phil Harris

Anthony Njokuani
He's survived this long but now is the time to say goodbye to the journeyman of the lightweight division.
Released by the UFC

Nordine Taleb
2-0 for the Tristar team member after a close split decision win over Li Jingliang.
Next Fight vs. Peter Sobotta

Li Jingliang
This time the split decision went against him. Next fight should be on home soil.
Next Fight vs. Shinsho Anzai

Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Lovely submission and a much needed bounce back win after defeat to Chad Laprise in April.
Next Fight vs. Chris Wade

Jake Lindsey
It's hard to imagine Lindsey getting another fight after going 0-2 and looking dreadful in the process.
Released by the UFC

Paul Felder
A UFC debut win even if it was close. Felder is 9-0 and this one is another winnable match-up.
Next Fight vs. Winner of Bryan Barberena vs. Joe Ellenberger

Jason Saggo
First UFC defeat after a debut win over Josh Shockley. Has shown some potential.
Next Fight vs. Ramsey Nijem

Albert Tumenov
Epic head kick finish for Tumenov who deserves a step-up in competition next.
Next Fight vs. Cathal Pendred

Matt Dwyer
He's going to get another go but that was the worst start to a UFC career possible.
Next Fight vs. Chris Heatherly

Pedro Munhoz
Only career loss so far came against Raphael Assuncao. He's ready for another step-up in competition.
Next Fight vs. Rani Yahya

Jerrod Sanders
Sanders is another one clearly out of his depth and heading for the exit door.
Released by the UFC

I'm back with another 'Fights to Make' article after UFC 179 (Aldo vs. Mendes) later this month.

Follow me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan