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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC 180 "Werdum vs. Hunt"
Nov 16, 2014 - 10:15:59 AM MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC 180 "Werdum vs. Hunt"

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

UFC 180 turned out to be a very solid pay-per-view offering, with all of the main card fight's ending in an exciting stoppage. A new Interim Heavyweight Champion was crowned, and we saw two new winners of the latest edition of The Ultimate Fighter.

Winning streaks ended for some, while others impressively extended their own. Without further ado, let's take a look at what comes next for the winners and losers of the first ever UFC event in Mexico City, Mexico:

NOTABLE MAIN CARD WINNERS

Fabricio Werdum (19-5-1, 7-2 UFC) - The Brazilian got the job done, but it wasn't as straight forward as many expected. After all, we can't forget he was facing an opponent who had three weeks notice to take the fight, and who isn't exactly known as a fighter that stays in shape. Add all that to a big size advantage and the elevated altitude advantage, and Werdum should have made this look easy.

Still, the knee was exceptional, and in a sport when you miss something if you blink, the result is all that matters. Hunt hurt Werdum in the first with both an overhand right and later a heavy uppercut. We never got to see the striking improvements shown against Travis Browne, because Werdum didn't want to know, and rightly so.

Cain Velasquez was sitting ringside, and he won't be overly concerned about what comes next once he is finally healthy. Velasquez won't be afraid to end up inside Werdum's guard, and his relentless pace is the polar opposite of what Hunt offered. If Velasquez is out longer, the winner of Junior dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic will take his place.

Next Fight vs. Cain Velasquez

Kelvin Gastelum (10-0, 5-0 UFC) - The tests get sterner with each passing fight, but Kelvin Gastelum keeps passing them with flying colours. The scramble after the Ellenberger takedown was a joy to watch. This kid has talent in abundance, and it's scarily exciting that he's doing it at only 23 years old. Christ, how good can Gastelum be? I can't wait to find out, he's fast becoming a favourite of mine.

Of those above him in the welterweight division, not many options remain. Hendricks, Lawler, and MacDonald are too far ahead, and all in the title mix. Brown, Saffiedine, and Lombard are booked to fight over the next few months, and doubts still linger over Condit and his injuries. That leaves Maia and Woodley, and I'm ok with either. Preference goes to the latter based on the sensible stylistic match-up it presents.

Next Fight vs. Tyron Woodley

Ricardo Lamas (15-3, 10-3 UFC) - This win meant a lot to Ricardo Lamas, and it certainly made everyone sit up and take notice. He's the forgotten man of the featherweight division's top 5, having been eclipsed in recent months by both Bermudez and Conor McGregor for differing reasons. I wasn't surprised he won, but I was surprised by the manner in which he did it. Lamas meant business from start to finish. Impressive!

There's a good chance his next fight comes against someone who's riding a loss. That means a fight with either Chad Mendes or the loser of Cub Swanson vs. Frankie Edgar. Three of the four fighters ahead of him in the rankings. Remember, he's not getting Aldo anytime soon. He shouldn't have to fight someone below him again and a win over any of those mentioned will mean more than a gimme win against someone top 10-15.

Next Fight vs. Chad Mendes


NOTABLE MAIN CARD LOSERS

Mark Hunt (10-9 1 NC, 5-4 1 NC UFC) - This loss doesn't do anything to hurt Hunt's current standing in the UFC. If anything, it's made me want to root for him even more. He had only three weeks notice, lost around 40 lbs to make weight, yet he still managed to put Fabricio Werdum on his backside more than once.

That right hand of his can win any fight at any time, and didn't Werdum know it after the first knockdown. After that the Brazilian didn't want to know anymore, and Hunt spent a good five minutes conserving his energy while winding up the right arm ready for another launch. He's not good enough to beat the elite, but he's a fan favourite who will give anyone a tough test.

Next Fight vs. Andrei Arlovski

Jake Ellenberger (29-9, 8-5 UFC) - Where did it all go wrong for this guy? His confidence is shot to pieces, and he's now looking back at a three fight losing streak. We can all excuse losses to Rory MacDonald and Robbie Lawler, but not this time. Kelvin Gastelum is clearly very talented, but if Ellenberger wants to remain relevant, he has to win fights like this.

Most fighters who lose three in a row inevitably end up looking for a new job, but that won't happen with Ellenberger. He's only 29 years old, and he needs to get his mojo back as soon as possible. A fight with Stun Gun is another tough one, but if Ellenberger wants to remain in the top 10, it's a fight he needs to take, and win.

Next Fight vs. Dong Hyun Kim

Dennis Bermudez (14-4, 7-2 UFC) - A seven fight win streak and he ends up with nothing to show for it. It might be a small blip on the road to better things, or it might be testament to the fact he's not quite good enough to beat the best. I think it's somewhere in between, and I can easily see him putting together another good win streak starting with Dustin Poirier.

Next Fight vs. Dustin Poirier


WHO'S NEXT FOR EVERYONE ELSE

Augusto Montano

Good debut win, and will inevitably feature on the next UFC trip to Mexico.
Next Fight vs. George Sullivan


Chris Heatherly

Game opponent who's had two tricky fights, but clearly isn't good enough.
Next Fight vs. Richard Walsh


Hector Urbina

Only a surprising win until you realize just how bad Edgar Garcia is.
Next Fight vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio


Edgar Garcia

If this man ever fights again on a pay-per-view main card, feel free to shoot me.
Next Fight vs. Hernani Perpetuo


Yair Rodriguez

Remember what happened to Colton Smith?
Next Fight vs. Edimilson Souza


Leonardo Morales

First career loss and certainly not the worst fighter to come out of TUF Latin America.
Next Fight vs. Mark Eddiva


Alejandro Perez

Better performance than the other winner Yair Rodriguez, but another who won't go far.
Next Fight vs. Marcus Brimage


Jose Alberto Quinonez

Expected to win last night but made stupid mistakes that cost him dearly.
Next Fight vs. Aaron Phillips


Jessica Eye

Good bounce back win after the loss to Alexis Davis.
Next Fight vs. Bethe Correia


Leslie Smith

Don't watch this fight if you're eating food.
Next Fight vs. Lauren Murphy


Gabriel Benitez

Did well standing and finished with a lovely submission.
Next Fight vs. Ning Guangyou


Humberto Brown

Give him one more chance against a fellow TUF competitor desperate for a win.
Next Fight vs. Rodolfo Rubio


Henry Briones

Nicknamed after the former NHL star, Pavel Bure. What else do you want me to write?
Next Fight vs. Frankie Saenz


Guido Cannetti

As a FOTN winner at UFC 180, will definitely get one more opportunity to impress.
Next Fight vs. Nolan Ticman


Marco Beltran

Got the win, but like the entire TUF Latin America cast, just isn't good enough.
Next Fight vs. Royston Wee


Marlon Vera

Will get another go because he's Ecuadorian, and there aren't many of those in the UFC. Logic!
Next Fight vs. Patrick Williams


I'll be back next weekend with another 'Fights to Make' article covering UFC Fight Night 57.

Follow me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan