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MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC 187 "Johnson vs. Cormier"
May 24, 2015 - 12:25:16 PM MOORE: Top Fights to Make After UFC 187 "Johnson vs. Cormier"

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

After an action-packed card at UFC 187 in Las Vegas, here's what's next for the night's winners and losers:

Daniel Cormier

Winning this vacant title was always going to come down to whether or not Daniel Cormier could take a big punch from Anthony Johnson. Cormier handled it successfully, and as soon as he did, the win was inevitable. Johnson was explosive in the early exchanges, but by the time we got to the start of the third round, his power punching and technique turned into sloppy hit and hope shots.

There's no doubt that if Jon Jones is able to return he gets the next title shot, and the UFC will definitely do Cormier vs. Jones II. However, it's looking more and more likely that we'll have to wait a little longer to see it. So, step forward Ryan Bader. They were scheduled to meet each other next month before the change, and he's the only alternative option at this time. I don't want to see it, you don't want to see it, but it's probably going to be next.

Next Fight vs. Ryan Bader


Anthony Johnson

Unlike his win over Alexander Gustafsson, he couldn't get the early finish. The longer the fight went on, the more Daniel Cormier took control. Johnson did his best to stay upright through relentless pressure, but even his vastly improved takedown defense wasn't good enough. Time to regroup and put another run together, because a future fight with Jon Jones remains an intriguing one.

Next Fight vs. Loser of Glover Texeira vs. Ovince Saint-Preux


Chris Weidman

If you still had an element of doubt about just how good Chris Weidman is, surely it's been put to bed once and for all. The guy is world class and has blitzed through three future Hall of Fame superstars. He is that good. He took everything Belfort had to offer, stayed the course, then went to work.

Granted, the initial takedown was the easiest takedown he will ever land, but the technique to get into full mount was so impressive. What followed after was a mere formality, proving Weidman is without doubt the best in the division. Weidman vs. Rockhold (hopefully at MSG) is going to be one hell of a fight.

Next Fight vs. Luke Rockhold


Vitor Belfort

Belfort looked a shadow of his former self and we all know why. Granted, he landed a couple of good strikes in the early exchanges, but it wasn't anywhere near the level of his velocity while using TRT. At his age it's very hard to envisage him in a title fight again, but there are still some interesting fights for him as a headliner in Brazil before his eventual retirement.

Next Fight vs. Loser of Lyoto Machida vs. Yoel Romero


Donald Cerrone

Donald Cerrone isn't getting a title fight for a win over John Makdessi, but he is getting one for putting together a very impressive eight-fight win streak. Among those wins he's beaten Benson Henderson, Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza, and Myles Jury. All excellent fighters in their own right. Cerrone deserves his chance at redemption, and with Nurmagomedov out injured again, we already know he's going to get it.

Next Fight vs. Rafael dos Anjos


John Makdessi

Took it to Donald Cerrone and didn't let himself down until enough was enough in the second round. I don't blame him one little bit for throwing in the towel under those circumstances. With a full fight camp behind him, Makdessi deserves another crack at someone higher up the rankings. Jim Miller needs a bounce back win more than most.

Next Fight vs. Jim Miller


Andrei Arlovski

Smart money is on Stipe Miocic to get the next title shot, but how can you not reward such a fantastic win? That is the best one round fight I have seen since the epic Diaz vs. Daley bout in Strikeforce many moons ago. After a horrible start to his second UFC tenure, Arlovski has looked better and better with every fight. UFC should take advantage of this win momentum and give him a title shot against the winner of the UFC 188 match-up next month.

Next Fight vs. Winner of Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum


Travis Browne

When it really counts there's something in Travis Browne's DNA that causes him to falter. He just can't get himself over the finish line, a line that would've probably earned him a title shot. He took some heavy shots last night, and even handed out one of his own, but it wasn't to be. There's not much out there for him right now, but Mark Hunt would be a good way to start his comeback.

Next Fight vs. Mark Hunt


Joseph Benavidez

Benavidez is running out of opponents to fight and comfortably beat. Sooner or later the UFC has to give him a third chance against Demetrious Johnson. He didn't help himself by not getting the finish, but it was still another dominant performance. In my opinion he's better than Dodson and I would actually like to see them fight next. That's not going to happen, though, and Benavidez will have to make do with someone like Kyoji Horiguchi instead.

Next Fight vs. Kyoji Horiguchi


John Dodson

It was his worst performance in quite a while, but after so long on the shelf I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Zach Makovsky is not an easy opponent, and someone as quick as Dodson often needs time to get back in his groove. Luckily for him there's no one else to step up to face Demetrious Johnson. I would personally prefer to see Joseph Benavidez get the shot, but I can see the UFC going with Dodson first.

Next Fight vs. Demetrious Johnson


What's next for the rest:

John Moraga vs. Ian McCall

Zach Makovsky vs. Loser of Henry Cejudo vs. Chico Camus

Rose Namajunas vs. Nina Ansaroff

Rafael Natal vs. Elias Theodorou

Uriah Hall vs. Clint Hester

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Neil Magny

Josh Burkman vs. Jordan Mein

Colby Covington vs. Patrick Cote

Mike Pyle vs. Sean Spencer

Islam Makhachev vs. Valmir Lazaro

Leo Kuntz vs. Elias Silverio

Justin Scoggins vs. Patrick Holohan

Josh Sampo (Released)

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