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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC 186 "Johnson vs. Horiguchi"
Apr 26, 2015 - 12:20:05 PM MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC 186 "Johnson vs. Horiguchi"

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

The UFC will be mightily relieved to see the jinxed UFC 186 in its rear-view mirror. The entire card suffered setback after setback, but in hindsight, it really didn't turn out too bad. Demetrious Johnson recorded the latest finish in UFC history and it will probably never be beaten. His brilliance was enough to leave me satisfied. Here's what is next for the winners and losers from Montreal, Canada last night:

Demetrious Johnson

Another incredible performance from one of the very best mixed martial artists on the planet. But, yet again, hardly anyone saw it, and even some fans in the arena got up and left mid fight (as they did at UFC 178). Why? Because it's all too easy for him and frustratingly predictable to watch.

Demetrious Johnson is head and shoulders better than everyone else in the division and he knows it. So, why doesn't he start every fight like a man on a mission to win as quick and impressively as possible? He's that good he doesn't even need to worry about being caught out.

I want to see him start a fight in the same vein he finished Horiguchi. It's the only way he's going to grow a fan base big enough to avoid criticism as a headliner. He's in the smallest division that also lacks legitimate opponents. He needs to do something. If John Dodson beats Zach Makovsky, the rematch will happen. And if it does, it's the perfect opportunity to vault Johnson into the kind of superstar status his talent richly deserves.


Kyoji Horiguchi

He was on a hiding to nothing the moment he was propelled into a main event championship fight before he was ready. He was well and truly outclassed for the entire 25 minutes, but the last second submission was tough on him.

Horiguchi is still very young so the UFC must decide now how they build him back up. Do they give him an easy next fight, or do they give him one of the losers to from any of the upcoming fights including Joseph Benavidez vs. John Moraga, John Dodson vs. Zach Makovsky, or more likely, Jussier Formiga vs. Wilson Reis?


Quinton Jackson

Is he worth all the fuss? Probably not. Yet Rampage dominated the build-up to UFC 186, and he'll continue to dominate events if his contract issues with Bellator are sorted out. His name dictates that many fans will pay to watch him, whomever the opponent. A win over Fabio Maldonado is never a formality, but it was probably a sign of what is to come in terms of his relevance to the division moving forward.

Forget old school rematches with Mauricio Rua, Dan Henderson, and Glover Teixeira. Rampage should be used as the ultimate gatekeeper. A name who can really test, and then validate, younger talent with big potential. Names like Jimi Manuwa, Nikita Krylov, and especially Ovince St. Preux spring to mind.


Fabio Maldonado

Fabio Maldonado is currently ranked as the twelfth best light-heavyweight in the UFC. Let that sink in for a few seconds and you'll soon realize just how shallow the division is. Maldonado is fun to watch and enjoyably reckless, but, he's never going to beat anyone relevant. Take your pick from Patrick Cummins and Jan Blachowicz as a future opponent.


Michael Bisping

Slowly but surely Bisping continues to decline as a top middleweight fighter. A few years ago he would have dominated someone like C.B. Dollaway on route to victory. On this occasion he struggled and can consider himself lucky that Dollaway has as much finishing power as he does.

Bisping can continue to talk the talk and aspire to be champion all he wants, but it's never going to happen. Not in a million years. His best bet is to keep fighting mid ranked guys and capitalize on the new Reebok pay scheme. He will get murdered if he fights someone Jacare Souza next. Even Gegard Mousasi will blitz him next providing he gets past Costa Philippou first.


C.B. Dollaway

I still don't know what Dollaway's tactical game plan was last night. Bisping was there for the taking but Dollaway kept trying to land the same strikes over and over again. He didn't mix up enough of his combinations with takedowns and he deserved to lose.

Bisping was the perfect opponent to get a notable win, but he blew it. The loser of Brad Tavares vs. Robert Whittaker could be next and I don't favor Dollaway to beat either of them. Plain and simple, he's just not good enough.


THE REST

John Makdessi

Back to winnings ways after the loss to Alan Patrick broke a previous three-fight win steak over decent opposition.

Next Fight vs. Abel Trujillo


Shane Campbell

He was always on a hiding to nothing. He will get at least one more chance.

Next Fight vs. Anthony Christodoulou


Thomas Almeida

A fight with a ranked opponent should be next, irrespective of their last fight result.

Next Fight vs. Erik Perez


Yves Jabouin

Type of fighter who could suffer because of the new Reebok sponsorship system. Only a win next will keep him around.

Next Fight vs. Loser of Manny Gamburyan vs. Scott Jorgensen


Patrick Cote

Like Jabouin he needs to keep winning. This was a good start in front of his home country fans.

Next Fight vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama


Joe Riggs

He looked battle weary and it's hard to see him sticking around.

Released by UFC


Alexis Davis

Rousey and Tate are booked so step forward, Cat Zingano.

Next Fight vs. Cat Zingano


Sarah Kaufman

Davis got her revenge and Kaufman suffered largely thanks to inept refereeing.

Next Fight vs. Sara McMann


Chad Laprise

I'm not sold on Laprise and his ceiling could be coming very soon.

Next Fight vs. Joseph Duffy


Bryan Barberena

Game effort and deserving of his fight bonus, but it wasn't enough to extend his win streak to eight.

Next Fight vs. Yosdenis Cedeno


Olivier Aubin-Mercier

Enhanced his reputation as a dangerous submission specialist, but is he just another Paul Sass esque one-trick pony?

Next Fight vs. Winner of James Vick vs. Jake Matthews


David Michaud

Manhandled and outclassed and then the inevitable submission happened.

Next Fight vs. Cain Carrizosa


Nordine Taleb

3-0 in the UFC now and destined for a another small step-up in competition.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Augusto Montano vs. Cathal Pendred


Chris Clements

Another guy who will be skating on thin ice if he doesn't win his next fight.

Next Fight vs. Loser of Kyle Noke vs. Jonavin Webb


Valerie Letourneau

Looked miserable at the weigh-ins and I'm not convinced this drop to strawweight will be permanent.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Kailin Curran vs. Alex Chambers


Jessica Rakoczy

With an MMA record of 1-5 (1), Rakoczy won't get another UFC fight.

Released by UFC


Randa Markos

Couldn't get the finish, but she did well. A bigger fight is on the horizon.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill

Aisling Daly

Despite a mid fight resurgence, Daly was outclassed by a better and more varied opponent.

Next Fight vs. Seohee Ham

I'm back in two weeks to cover UFC Fight Night 65 (Miocic vs. Hunt).

Follow me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan