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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC on Fox 14 "Gustafsson vs. Johnson"
Jan 26, 2015 - 1:05:03 PM MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC on Fox 14 "Gustafsson vs. Johnson"

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

I've still not managed to catch up on my sleep after Saturday night, but what a great event to attend in person. A fabulous setting, hint of controversy, and, a main event finish that left the entire arena silent and close to tears. Without further ado, let's take a look at what could be next for the winner's and loser's of UFC on FOX 14:

NOTABLE MAIN CARD WINNERS

Anthony Johnson (19-4, 10-4 UFC) - Talk about throwing a spanner in the works, that devastating finish left a nation reeling in despair. Anthony Johnson isn't bothered, mind you; what a masterful performance. It still amazes me that he persisted in trying to make welterweight for so long, because light-heavyweight is perfect for a fighter possessing his power and brute strength.

I really did want to see a Jones vs. Gustafsson rematch, but I'm equally excited about Jones vs. Johnson. Hopefully they schedule it for July when I'm in Vegas to see it live and in person. Jones will rightly be considered favorite, but Johnson has shown the type of finishing power that can win him the title. He could very well be the biggest ever threat to the legacy of the champion.

Next Fight vs. Jon Jones


Gegard Mousasi (36-5-2, 3-2 UFC) - There's no point discussing whether it was an early stoppage or not, because the fight was going to end in that first round, however long it took Mousasi to pile on those finishing blows. He's been very inconsistent in his UFC career thus far, but maybe now is the time to see if he has what it takes to make a run to a title shot.

One of a couple of options is likely to happen next for Mousasi. Either the winner of Michael Bisping vs. C.B. Dolloway or the winner of Thales Leites vs. Tim Boetsch. My preference is Michael Bisping, and if the Englishman wins in good order at UFC 186, it's the most marketable fight as a potential headliner for a future European event.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Michael Bisping vs. CB Dolloway


Ryan Bader (19-4, 16-4 UFC) - We all knew well in advance that Bader vs. Davis wasn't going to be an instant classic, and boy they didn't disappoint anyone watching. Their respective wrestling prowess neutralized that part of the fight, and neither has the type of stand-up skills or power they needed to make a real statement.

Bader got the win by doing just enough. The problem now is who does he fight next? He's clearly not quite good enough to beat the very best. He's at the top of the pile in the second tier of light-heavyweight's. He puts together a good run, then can't get over the line when matched up with the elite. Rashad Evans stands out as the next big test to see if Bader can finally go that extra mile when it really counts.

Next Fight vs. Rashad Evans


NOTABLE MAIN CARD WINNERS

Alexander Gustafsson (16-3, 8-3 UFC) - Everything was going according to plan, and then Anthony Johnson showed up. Gustafsson didn't look to have that spark he's had in the past right from the moment he walked out into the arena. Maybe the pressure got to him, or more likely, it just wasn't his night. We all knew what Johnson was going to do, and so did Gustafsson. Stopping it is another matter.

That loss sends the Swede back to the drawing board, but he's got plenty of time to get himself back into contention. There's no better way to do that than to go toe-to-toe with the best available. Cormier vs. Gustafsson makes perfect sense. Bader, Teixeira, or even Davis would be acceptable alternatives.

Next Fight vs. Daniel Cormier


Dan Henderson (30-13, 7-7 UFC) - I really hope Henderson calls time on his career, but I expect him to carry on regardless. Mousasi was too quick and too good to ever allow Henderson to land that sweeping overhand right of his. If he is insistent on fighting again, it's got to be against someone on an equal downward spiral.

Next Fight vs. Nate Marquardt


Phil Davis (13-2 1 NC, 9-3 1 NC UFC) - Davis looks like he has got everything going for him, until you witness him striking. Bader is far from elite in the stand-up department, but even he made Davis look distinctly amateur. If he fights a competent wrestler who can box, he's got no chance, and that applies to pretty much everyone above him in the rankings. His ceiling has been well and truly reached.

Next Fight vs. Rafael Cavalcante


WHO’S NEXT FOR EVERYONE ELSE


Sam Sicilia

Fantastic finish, but can he go on to win two on the bounce?

Next Fight vs. Winner of Jimy Hettes vs. Diego Brandao


Akira Corassani

Will either retire or be released.

Released by UFC


Albert Tumenov

A tough fight for the Russian, but he did just enough to extend his win streak.

Next Fight vs. Hyun Gyu Lim


Nico Musoke

Best performance of the Swedish fighters on the card, but lost momentum as the fight went on.

Next Fight vs. Alex Garcia


Kenny Robertson

You're lying if you predicted that finish. A fantastic counter strike to win it.

Next Fight vs. Cathal Pendred


Sultan Aliev

We waited an age to see his UFC debut and it was over in a flash.

Next Fight vs. Leon Edwards


Makwan Amirkhani

If Carlsberg did UFC debuts.......... Perfect!

Next Fight vs. Yair Rodriguez


Andy Ogle

When you don't learn from your mistakes, that's what happens.

Released by UFC


Nikita Krylov

The Ukrainian is improving with every performance. On the verge of the top 15.

Next Fight vs. Patrick Cummins


Stanislav Nedkov

What has happened to the guy who blitzed through Luiz Cane at UFC 134?

Next Fight vs. Ilir Latifi


Mairbek Taisumov

The Ukrainian is improving with every performance. On the verge of the top 15.

Next Fight vs. Vinc Pichel


Anthony Christodolou

Performed like he'd won a fan competition to fight in the Octagon.

Released by UFC


Mirsad Bektic

Frustrating that he coasted rather than go all out for a finish that was clearly obtainable.

Next Fight vs. Zubaira Tukhugov


Paul Redmond

Week to forget for the Irishman, but deserves another chance to redeem himself.

Next Fight vs. Alan Omer


Viktor Pesta

It was like watching paint dry toward the end, but a good first UFC win for the Czech.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Shamil Abdurahimov vs. Timothy Johnson


Konstantin Erokhin

Would win a lot more fights if they only lasted thirty seconds.

Next Fight vs. Daniel Omielanczuk


Neil Seery

At 35 years old the fights need to come thick and fast. At flyweight it doesn't really matter that Ozkilic has lost his last two.

Next Fight vs. Alpetkin Ozkilic


Chris Beal

Beal really let himself down with that performance. What a let down.

Next Fight vs. Richie Vaculik

Things are back to normal next weekend with another article covering UFC 183 (Silva vs. Diaz). Follow me on Twitter and share your opinion, @MMATorchDan