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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC 181 "Hendricks vs. Lawler II"
Dec 8, 2014 - 12:35:41 PM MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC 181 "Hendricks vs. Lawler II"

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

UFC 181 was as good as it gets, with two very entertaining title fights finishing off a night of solid action. We now have a new Welterweight Champion, with a reigning Lightweight Champion as well who looks a class apart. I'll stop short of predicting a match-up for the newly signed Phil 'CM Punk' Brooks, but what I will try to do is predict match-ups for the winners and losers of the actual fights on Saturday night:


NOTABLE MAIN CARD WINNERS

Robbie Lawler (25-10 1 NC, 10-4 UFC) - I've watched the fight three times now, and I'm convinced Hendricks won it 48-47. I can just about understand why they gave it to Lawler, but 49-46 in his favour was absolutely ridiculous. Still, he came to fight, and the momentum and desire he showed in the latter stages is further proof of the need to throw caution to the wind if you want the gold.

Lawler's resurgence is a real success story, and his move to welterweight last year proved to be a brilliant decision. I won't be surprised if the UFC decide on a trilogy fight next year. It's 1-1 now, and both fights have been incredibly close. Rory MacDonald would have been a dead cert if Hendricks won, but he lost to Lawler less than twelve months ago. Again, it was very close, but unlike Hendricks, he doesn't hold an equalising win over the new champion.

Next Fight vs. Johny Hendricks

Anthony Pettis (18-2, 5-1 UFC) - This kid is sensational, and if he stays healthy, 2015 could be a huge breakthrough year for Anthony Pettis. Don't get me wrong, he's already a star in my eyes, but he could be a serious pay-per-view draw if provided with the right opponents. Lucky for him, he's in a division stacked with talent. He's got the look, the nickname, unpredictability, and he's incredibly talented in virtually every aspect of his craft.

Gilbert Melendez won the first round and was doing well in the second. Then, in an instant, it was all over after Pettis sank in that stunning guillotine choke. I expected the flash of brilliance to come in the striking, but either way works for me. I want to see Pettis back in the Octagon as soon as possible, but that's easier said than done with the way the rest of the division is right now.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is clearly the most deserving, and his proactive approach to selling himself and securing the shot is good to see. However, does anyone want to wait until May or June? I don't. If Pettis is good to go in March or April, then it has to be someone else. That leaves the winners of dos Anjos vs. Diaz and Cerrone vs. Jury as alternatives to keep Pettis busy. If no one stands out after those two fights, or injuries prevail, there's no other option but to wait for Nurmagomedov.

Next Fight vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov

Travis Browne (17-2-1, 8-2-1 UFC) - For such a big dude he sure can move. Brendan Schaub is another big, very agile heavyweight, but Travis Browne is on another level. With more improvement in his wrestling game, and on the ground, he's sure to be a legitimate contender in a year or two. Assuming Werdum and Velasquez finally match-up next year, we'll need someone to face the winner of that. That leaves Browne to face the winner of dos Santos vs. Miocic next weekend with the winner emerging as the clear No. 1 contender.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Junior dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic

Tony Ferguson (17-3, 7-1 UFC) - Ferguson is improving with every fight, and the UFC have done well to rebuild his momentum since the loss to Michael Johnson, rather than throw him straight back in against someone ranked. He showed a vastly improved level of durability in the early stages of this fight that impressed me. His high fight IQ will also serve him well. Now is the right time to match him up against someone in the top 15 again. Jorge Masvidal is just the man now that he's out of the fight with Norman Parke.

Next Fight vs. Jorge Masvidal


OTHER NOTABLE WINNERS

Urijah Faber (32-7, 8-3 UFC) - Faber had a lot of fortune in the way he won, but it was always going to end in victory. I doubt Rivera has any success with his appeal so Faber once again moves back into no man's land. Dominick Cruz is the obvious next opponent, but he's going to get a title shot, so that's not going to happen anytime soon. That leaves a rematch with either Raphael Assuncao or Renan Barao. Or, most likely, against another pointless fighter he beats ten times out of ten. I prefer the former as they haven't met since January of 2010.

Next Fight vs. Raphael Assuncao


NOTABLE MAIN CARD LOSERS

Johny Hendricks (16-3, 13-3 UFC) - Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but of the current champions (along with Dillashaw), Hendricks was the one I felt had the most chance of losing his title in the next twelve months. That prediction wasn't based on his undeniable talents, but more toward the level of competition he was going to come up against. What I didn't expect was him to lose it on the first attempt. Lawler has shown great resilience to come as far as he has, but Hendricks really should've put this one to bed.

Heading into the final round, I had him up three rounds to one. Even if it was 2-2, he just had to keep doing what he was doing (less the very end of the fourth). Instead he chose to go for the takedown, didn't get it, held on for dear life, and got beat. Cardio was surely an issue, but playing it safe very rarely works. He of all people should know that. I believe he'll get another go just to finish off the trilogy, but there are other options if the UFC decide to honour their promise to Rory MacDonald. The winner (or loser) of Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum certainly springs to mind.

Next Fight vs. Robbie Lawler

Gilbert Melendez (22-4, 1-2 UFC) - Melendez is a world class talent, but even he didn't have an answer for the speed and quickness of thought shown by Pettis early in the second round. I wonder if, deep down, Melendez regrets not moving to the UFC sooner than he did. In any of his prime, and that's only as late as 2-3 years ago, he would've been UFC Champion at least once. I'm not suggesting he would easily beat someone like Pettis now, but he would've gone close against someone like Frankie Edgar in his prime. Sadly, we'll never know.

Now it's all about taking fights that will provide him with the chance of getting back into contention status. It's going to take a while, but it is possible. I really want to see Melendez vs. Alvarez. I don't care where or when it happens, I just want to see it. If Henderson beats Alvarez next month, I don't mind seeing a rematch of Melendez vs. Henderson either. Especially considering how close it was. To be honest, there are plenty of opponents who would slot in nicely up against the former Strikeforce champion.

Next Fight vs. Loser of Henderson vs. Alvarez


WHO'S NEXT FOR EVERYONE ELSE

Brendan Schaub

He can't beat the elite but he wins enough to keep getting the opportunities.

Next Fight vs. Derrick Lewis


Abel Trujillo

Like a freight train in the early minutes, but as per usual ran out of gas when he couldn't get the finish.

Next Fight vs. Ross Pearson


Todd Duffee

Turned the lights out on a very average fighter, but there's plenty more where that came from.

Next Fight vs. Ruslan Magomedov


Anthony Hamilton

This guy beat Ruan Potts, so how bad must the South African be? Really bad!

Next Fight vs. Josh Copeland


Francisco Rivera

Did well and was unlucky to lose in the manner he did. I doubt the appeal is successful so it's back to square one.

Next Fight vs. Loser of Henry Cejudo vs. Dustin Kimura


Eddie Gordon

Yet another Ultimate Fighter winner who's finding life significantly harder in the big leagues.

Next Fight vs. Dylan Andrews


Josh Samman

If you missed the highlight reel finish I suggest you look for it on YouTube.

Next Fight vs. Robert Whittaker


Corey Anderson

Beat one J Jones and now has his sights on the other. Yeah, good luck with that.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Patrick Cummings vs. Antonio Carlos Jr


Justin Jones

Went to a decision in a fight on short notice that he was expected to lose. He will get another go.

Next Fight vs. Jonathan Wilson


Raquel Pennington

A slick submission after being on the receiving end during R1. They may as well reschedule her original bout with Holm.

Next Fight vs. Holly Holm

Ashlee Evans-Smith

Edged most of the first round but then got put to sleep. She'll bounce back and get another opportunity.

Next Fight vs. Larissa Pacheco


Sergio Pettis

Still in the shadow of his more illustrious brother, but is making his own progress at such a young age.

Next Fight vs. Aljamain Sterling


Matt Hobar

Started fast, peaked very early, and then got outclassed. Hobar will get one more opportunity in a must win fight.

Next Fight vs. Jose Alberto Quinonez


Alex White

He'll be looking for a new employer if he loses his next fight.

Next Fight vs. Dan Hooker


Clay Collard

Looked good in defeat to Max Holloway and now has his first UFC win on the board.

Next Fight vs. Mike Wilkinson

I'll be back next week with a double header 'Fights to Make' article covering The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 Finale and UFC on Fox 13.

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