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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist
It wasn't a fight card full of stoppages like UFC 180 last weekend, but UFC Fight Night 57 certainly had its moments. A lot of decision victories this week, but many of them came after entertaining fights. It wasn't spectacular, but it certainly wasn't horrible. Without further ado, let's take a look at what's next for the winners and losers from Austin, Texas:
NOTABLE MAIN CARD WINNERS
Frankie Edgar (18-4-1, 12-4-1 UFC) - What a superb performance by the former lightweight champion. Anyone who disputed his credentials coming into this fight is plain stupid. Edgar did what he does best, and dominated this fight from start to finish, earning the latest stoppage victory in UFC history to top off a fantastic night. He had a game plan to neutralize Swanson, and he implemented it to perfection.
Despite the brilliance, that win plays right into the hands of Conor McGregor, who's now got to be considered the front-runner to face Aldo. If Cub Swanson had won last night, there could be no disputing his credentials. Edgar winning makes life a little more complicated, and it now opens up a clear path for the Irishman with a dominant win over Dennis Siver in January. It's where the money is.
Let me be clear, Frankie Edgar is absolutely good enough to fight for the title again. However, both he and Ricardo Lamas need another exclamation point to add to their recent excellent wins. Throw them in against each other and the winner is far enough removed from their last shot to earn another go against Aldo (or maybe even McGregor).
Next Fight vs. Ricardo Lamas
Edson Barboza (15-2, 9-2 UFC) - The spinning head kick that landed on Green in the second round last night was a thing of beauty. If it had ended in a knock-out, we'd be calling it the best of 2014. Barboza faded heading into the final round, but the Brazilian still did enough to convincingly beat the higher ranked Bobby Green.
We saw what happened when Barboza last faced someone top 5 (submitted by Donald Cerrone), but he keeps coming back, and it's hard to deny him another chance. The problem is that everyone relevant is booked. Assuming the winner of Henderson vs. Alvarez is destined for bigger things, a fight with the loser could still be of great benefit to the improving Barboza. If not, it's going to be someone like Michael Johnson or Al Iaquinta.
Next Fight vs. Loser of Henderson vs. Alvarez
Joseph Benavidez (21-4, 13-4 UFC) - Granted we didn't get to see another quick finish, and Ortiz proved a more durable opponent, but Benavidez still looked good doing what he does best. In terms of what to do next, it's a tricky situation as far as Benavidez is concerned.
It's still too close to his last title defeat to Demetrious Johnson, and he's pretty much beat everyone else in the division. That doesn't leave me with a lot of options. It's probably too late to throw him in against John Moraga next month. If McCall or Lineker replaces Formiga instead, give him a fight against the other one some time in early 2015.
Next Fight vs. Ian McCall or John Lineker
NOTABLE MAIN CARD LOSERS
Cub Swanson (21-6, 11-5 UFC) - Such a shame that Cub Swanson couldn't get the win when he needed it the most. Frankie Edgar and his team knew exactly how to neutralise Swanson, and the game plan execution was incredibly effective. Swanson just couldn't get going, and the tap out late on sealed what we already knew after round one.
He can still make an impact in this division, and he'll win more fights than he loses. Sadly, it's highly unlikely he will ever get to fight for a UFC title. Last week I saw Mendes vs. Lamas as the fight to make, but this loss changes things. Lamas should now fight Edgar next and Swanson should fight Mendes. That's all providing Conor McGregor beats Dennis Siver and gets the next shot at Jose Aldo.
Next Fight vs. Chad Mendes
Bobby Green (23-6, 4-1 UFC) - Like Dennis Bermudez last week, another big win streak comes to end. Green leaves Austin, Texas with absolutely nothing to show for his efforts. He wasn't at the races for the full 15 minutes and comes away from this fight looking rather stupid for goading Barboza like he did.
I've never been convinced that Bobby Green is a top contender, even after the win over a declining Josh Thomson. Let's face it, that's the only stand out win of his career. He might even decide to retire after this due to personal circumstances, but I hope that's not the case. If he stays active, a fight with Jim Miller is just the tonic to see if he's worthy of staying in the top 10.
Next Fight vs. Jim Miller
Brad Pickett (24-10, 7-6 UFC) - I'm pretty sure he's not a favorite of Dana White anymore. Time ran out for Pickett a while ago, last night's result just confirmed what we already knew. Pickett isn't anywhere near good enough in 2014. If you can't beat the likes of Chico Camus, you don't deserve to be anywhere near the top 15.
The UFC will keep him on the roster but surely their patience is waning. Third from the top on a card that included Joseph Benavidez showed confidence in his ability, but that's all evaporated now. Dustin Ortiz looked better in defeat, and is young enough to bounce back. A win over Pickett could be just the ticket to get things started. Justin Scoggins is Plan B.
Next Fight vs. Dustin Ortiz.
WHO'S NEXT FOR EVERYONE ELSE
Chico Camus
Looked much better at Flyweight. Going to be top 15 this week after beating Brad Pickett.
Next Fight vs. Wilson Reis
Oleksiy Oliynyk
Up next let's do a Ukraine vs. Russia match-up. Guaranteed fireworks.
Next Fight vs. Ruslan Magomedov
Jared Rosholt
Looked like he had it in the bag and then, kaboom. You've got to love those heavyweights
Next Fight vs. Loser of Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton
Dustin Ortiz
Not quite there in elite context, but a fight with Pickett is very winnable.
Next Fight vs. Brad Pickett
Matt Wiman
If only he could fight with any level of regularity.
Next Fight vs. Winner of KJ Noons vs. Daron Cruickshank
Issac Vallie-Flagg
Three defeats on the bounce, but he'll probably get one more chance.
Next Fight vs. Ramsey Nijem
Ruslan Magomedov
2-0 and hasn't looked brilliant in either. Still, he's getting the job done.
Next Fight vs. Oleksiy Oliynyk
Josh Copeland
If only he knew how to stop eating those pesky donuts.
Next Fight vs. Ruan Potts
Roger Navaez
Drop in weight made sense, and it proved the right move after last night.
Next Fight vs. Daniel Kelly
Luke Barnatt
Still hasn't figured out how to use that height and range advantage.
Next Fight vs. Loser of Tom Watson vs. Rafael Natal
James Vick
Still undefeated, but his worst performance to date against the durable German.
Next Fight vs. Winner of Rashid Magomedov vs. Elias Silverio
Nick Hein
Got a couple of early knockdowns, but couldn't finish things, and it came back to haunt him.
Next Fight vs. Jake Lindsey
Yves Edwards
Too old and long since out of his depth in the UFC.
Released by UFC
Akbarh Arreola
Last week I had Urbina facing Ponzinibbio next. Scrap that, do this instead.
Next Fight vs. Hector Urbina
Paige VanZant
One of the best debut performances I've seen in quite a while.
Next Fight vs. TUF 20 cast member
Kailin Curran
FOTN honors in a recently formed division. She will definitely get another opportunity.
Next Fight vs. Nina Ansaroff
Doo Ho Choi
Another brilliant debut performance. Match-up between two top prospects next.
Next Fight vs. Bekbulat Magomedov
Juan Manuel Puig
Lucky expanding market growth in Mexico requires the UFC to have a stable of Mexican fighters.
Next Fight vs. Rodolfo Rubio
I'll be back in two weeks with another 'Fights to Make' article covering UFC 181 (Hendricks vs. Lawler).
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
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