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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC on Fox 15 "Machida vs. Rockhold"
Apr 19, 2015 - 1:35:30 PM
MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC on Fox 15 "Machida vs. Rockhold"
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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

As far as free-to-view main cards go, UFC on Fox 15 was up there with some of the very best. Save for one or two fights, the entire card delivered and so did most of its star performers, both old and new. This type of event would usually provide solid momentum going into UFC 186 next week, but if truth be told, we just had our dessert instead of the appetizer. Here's what is next for the winners and losers from New Jersey:

Luke Rockhold

Beating Michael Bisping so dominantly is one thing, but to do it against someone like Lyoto Machida is incredible. What a terrific performance, and one that surely elevates Rockhold above Jacare Souza into the No. 1 contender spot.

Rockhold, on this level of performance, will present a serious threat to whomever wins the Middleweight Title fight at UFC 187 next month. He has all the tools to become a future champion and the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort won't be able to celebrate their win next month for too long.


Lyoto Machida

He never got going and Luke Rockhold took full advantage of his usual reserved counter-striking approach. It happens, but Machida is still a formidable middleweight, and he will continue to present a strong challenge for whomever he fights next.

His obvious next fight is the loser of the Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort. His first fight with Weidman was close enough to do it again. A fight with Vitor Belfort is one that can easily main event any card heading to Brazil later this year.


Ronaldo Souza

Although no fault of Jacare himself, there's not really a lot to discuss here. He wanted to stay on the card after Yoel Romero got injured, and he duly beat the replacement, Chris Camozzi, with another impressive first round submission.

That puts Luke Rockhold in pole position for the title shot, so Jacare is going to have to wait a little longer, and that means at least one more fight. No one in the top five is available, so a fight against the winner of Michael Bisping vs. CB Dolloway, or even Thales Leites, is likely.


Chris Camozzi

Credit to him for taking the fight on six days notice, and he'll get another one in the UFC as a thank-you because of it. Clint Hester is more on his level in a fight he needs to win if he's going to stick around longer.


Max Holloway

What a fantastic performance, clearly the best of his UFC career thus far. At only 23 years old, this kid is well on his way to a title shot in the next couple of years if he keeps improving. Everything he did against Swanson was very impressive to watch.

He's clearly not ready to face the winner of Aldo vs. McGregor, or Chad Mendes for that matter, but maybe in a year or two. No one really stands out as a next opponent, so I go with the winner of Dennis Bermudez vs. Jeremy Stephens. If it's Bermudez he can avenge a previous defeat, and if it's Stephens, we're in for a slug fest.


Cub Swanson

If you keep moving and avoid the big power punches, there's a good chance you can beat the 2015 version of Cub Swanson. This was very much a passing of the torch fight, and it signified the end of Swanson's run as a top five featherweight. Don't get me wrong, he's still a very tough opponent.

A potential rematch against Ricardo Lamas is possible, but so is a fight with the loser of Nik Lentz vs. Charles Oliveira (another rematch). Options are limited, so failing that he could be a great marker for an up and coming talent like Zubaira Tukhugov or Kevin Souza.


Paige VanZant

When you consider she's only 21 years old and has had only six professional fights, her performance last night was excellent. Then consider she's being groomed as the next big thing in women's MMA, and she's headed toward a title fight. Is she good enough right now?

I'm here to tell you that title fight is going to come along before she has the chance to grow and improve enough to actually win it. Plain and simple, she's not ready for it. I really hope the UFC hold off and let her develop at a slow pace. A fight against the winner of Rose Namajunas vs. Nina Ansaroff makes far more sense then a title fight against Joanna Jedrzejczyk.


Felice Herrig

She was the perfect opponent to elevate the talent of Paige VanZant, and she didn't disappoint. Yes she was comprehensively overwhelmed for most of the fight, but she made VanZant really work for her win. Herrig is a good grappler and tough opponent for anyone, nothing more, nothing less. She could be matched against any number of strawweights, but I'm going for the loser of Aisling Daly vs. Randa Markos.


Beneil Dariush

Add this man to the list of Tony Ferguson and Al Iaquinta as newly appointed members of the UFC lightweight rankings. Can any of them do even better and push for a title shot? I'm not sure, but it's refreshing to see some new faces. Talking of Al Iaquinta, and seeing as most the top 15 are currently booked, why not find out exactly who has what it takes to turn their potential into reality?


Jim Miller

He's always going to be a tough and determined opponent but the days of him being considered a top tier lightweight are long gone. They were before this fight, but Beneil Dariush confirmed it. He's probably on good money, so surely it's only a matter of time before he goes in the same direction as Okami, Fitch, Shields et al. For now though, Jorge Masvidal needs a beatable opponent to get over his loss to Al Iaquinta.


Ovince St-Preux

He may not be elite, but this guy is not far off it. He's got excellent striking, and if his takedown defense continues to be as good as it was last night, he's making real progress. He could potentially fight the winner or loser of Alexander Gustafsson vs. Glover Teixeira depending on how other divisional results go, or, he could slay another legend in Quinton Jackson if he ever gets free of Bellator.


Patrick Cummins

I still can't believe he was the pre-fight betting favorite. His top 15 ranking is more testament to a lack of depth in the light-heavyweight division, rather than his wins over Roger Navaez (now a middleweight) and Kyle Kingsbury (now retired). Jan Blachowicz will provide us with a better idea of just how good or bad Cummins is.


THE REST

Corey Anderson


Had some good moments, but his lack of experience was evident in his inability to adapt mid fight.

Next Fight vs. Keith Berish


Gian Villante


Brilliant finish in a fight he was probably going to lose if it went the distance. He's the perfect first opponent for Brendan Schaub if his drop to light heavyweight goes according to plan.

Next Fight vs. Brendan Schaub


Takeya Mizugaki


On a downward spiral, but still good enough to win one or two.

Next fight vs. Yuri Alcantara


Aljamain Sterling


The bantamweight top 10 needs fresh blood and we've just found someone who can help. Only decision now is do they really test him with someone like Raphael Assuncao, or pit him against another up and comer like...

Next Fight vs. Frankie Saenz


George Sullivan


Beat standing and then on the ground. Tough night, and first UFC defeat.

Next Fight vs. Sean Spencer


Tim Means


A fight against the man he replaced looks like a plan.

Next Fight vs. Kenny Robertson


Diego Brandao


Back to his level after the one-sided loss to Conor McGregor.

Next Fight vs. Maximo Blanco


Jimy Hettes


It was frustrating at the time but stopping the fight was the right decision to make.

Next Fight vs. Andre Fili


Eddie Gordon


He blew yet another golden opportunity. Gordon is not good enough, it's that simple.

Next Fight vs. Andrew Craig


Chris Dempsey


Big upset, but he deserved to edge it. Looks much better at Middleweight.

Next Fight vs. Vitor Miranda


I'm back again next weekend covering UFC 186 (Johnson vs. Horiguchi).

Follow me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan


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