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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 56 "Shogun vs. St. Preux"
Nov 10, 2014 - 12:35:59 PM MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC Fight Night 56 "Shogun vs. St. Preux"

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

Yet again, the second UFC fight card of back-to-back events failed to match the first. Apart from the main event, there really isn't a lot to cover, especially future fights with top 10 implications. The loss of Ian McCall vs. John Lineker really hurt this card, but even still, this really should've been two events rolled into one. I'll stop moaning about it now, so without further ado, let's take a look at what's next for the winners and losers of UFC Fight Night 56:

NOTABLE MAIN CARD WINNERS

Ovince St. Preux (17-6, 5-1 UFC) - This weekend certainly worked out well for St. Preux. One minute he was in a pointless gimme fight against Francimar Barroso, and the next he was winning the main event against a former champion in Mauricio Rua. Yes, Shogun is a shadow of his former self, but OSP had to get the job done, and this win will help repair some of the damage caused in defeat to Ryan Bader.

I'm at a real loss as to what opponent he should get next. He doesn't deserve to fight anyone ahead of Ryan Bader in the rankings, nor should he take a big step back. Dan Henderson is a possibility, but his next fight is likely to be at middleweight. Fabio Maldonado is too far behind him in the rankings, but he's another option. Instead, I'm picking Jimi Manuwa, who's at a similar level, and would have also probably knocked out Shogun had he not been injured.

Next Fight vs. Jimi Manuwa


NOTABLE MAIN CARD LOSERS


Mauricio Rua (22-10, 10-5 UFC) - Since he lost his UFC Light Heavyweight Title to Jon Jones at UFC 128, Shogun has gone on to lose another five fights. He's won three fights since May, 2010. He beat a disinterested Forrest Griffin, a lacklustre Brandon Vera who has since been cut, and a small James Te Huna who now fights at 185 lbs. Granted, he's lost to some of the best in the business, but his last really credible win came against Lyoto Machida at UFC 113, and even he's a middleweight now.

I don't want Shogun to retire, far from it. I just want to see him take fights against opponents based on current talent and not on his past performance. He's only 31 years old, but he's never going to get back into title contention, so he might as well take fights he has a chance of winning. Nikita Krylov should be back in the mix once Shogun is ready to go again. There's nothing for him in the top 15 unless they set up the Jimi Manuwa fight again, and I personally don't want to see that.

Next Fight vs. Nikita Krylov


WHO'S NEXT FOR EVERYONE ELSE

Warlley Alves

Started fast and faded before eventually earning a slightly controversial win.
Next Fight vs. Winner of Augusto Montano vs. Chris Heatherly

Alan Jouban

Good enough to be better than the lower tier of welterweights currently on the UFC roster.
Next Fight vs. Andreas Stahl

Claudio Silva

Two hard fought wins over British prospects, now 2-0 in the UFC.
Next Fight vs. Colby Covington

Leon Edwards

Lost a split decision, but was still the most successful Brit this weekend.
Next Fight vs. Shinsho Anzai

Juliana Lima

A surprise underdog heading into this fight. Took care of business after the upset loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Next Fight vs. TUF 20 Cast Member

Nina Ansaroff

The loss ended a six-fight win streak. Take your pick from the TUF 20 losing cast as her next opponent.
Next Fight vs. TUF 20 Cast Member

Diego Rivas

Lost in first round of TUF Latin America, but started his UFC career off with a good win to go to 6-0.
Next Fight vs. Taylor Lapilus

Rodolfo Rubio

Debut defeat after losing TUF Latin America Semi-Final. Is likely to get one final chance.
Next Fight vs. Loser of Juan Puig Carreon vs. Doohoo Choi

Caio Magalhaes

He's 4-1 with another first round finish but I'm still not convinced by him.
Next Fight vs. Sean Strickland

Trevor Smith

Another fighter who is on the win one, lose one trail.
Next Fight vs. Brad Scott

Dhiego Lima

Good night at the office against a late replacement. Did what he had to do.
Next Fight vs. Nordine Taleb

Jorge Oliveira

As last minute as they come and will surely get another chance to impress.
Next Fight vs. Rodrigo de Lima

Leandro Silva

If you're desperate for a win, just hope you get to fight Charlie Brenneman.
Next Fight vs. Winner of Akbarh Arreola vs. Yves Edwards

Charlie Brenneman

He has lost all three of his fights since the UFC called him back almost 12 months ago.
Released by the UFC

Thomas Almeida

A hot prospect who won impressively, but he has now realised that UFC talent doesn't go away easily.
Next Fight vs. Rob Font

Tim Gorman

0-2 against two very good opponents, but he might get one more chance to prove himself.
Next Fight vs. Davey Grant

Wagner Silva

There's a very good chance he gets cut, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Next Fight vs. Anthony Lapsley

Colby Covington

He has surprised a lot of people with his performances so far, and looked good again on Saturday.
Next Fight vs. Claudio Silva

I'll be back next week with another 'Fights to Make' article covering UFC 180 (Werdum vs. Hunt).

Follow me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan