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Rich Hansen's Take
HANSEN: Top Fights to Make After UFC 159 "Jones vs. Sonnen"
Apr 30, 2013 - 2:00:39 PM
HANSEN: Top Fights to Make After UFC 159 "Jones vs. Sonnen"
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By Rich Hansen, MMA Torch Collumnist

UFC 159 is in the rear view mirror, where it belongs. It's been eons since a less impactful UFC PPV event has occurred, with fewer surprised or storylines moving forward. When the big stories coming out are eye pokes, Pat Healy, and bad refereeing, you're probably best not looking back too hard.

Which is where I come in; to look forward. Rather than dwelling on the biggest competitive mismatch of a title fight in UFC history, rather than trying to figure out what happened to Alan Belcher, rather than wonder why Vinny Maghalaes and Checick Kongo were on a PPV, and rather than wonder who told Sheila Gaff that going all Usain Bolt on Sara McMann was a good idea, let's figure out where the top names form UFC 159 are heading next.


Jon Jones: As the UFC champion, Jones is in such a position where he doesn't get to pick his next opponent (see St-Pierre vs. Diaz if you wish to tell me to stick it). His job is to face the second best light heavyweight in the world (see Chael Sonnen if you wish to tell me to stick it). He is supposed to defend his championship every time he goes out there to fight (see his eventual superfight at heavyweight, then tell me to stick it). Jones went into UFC 159 without knowing for sure who his next opponent was going to be. Lyoto Machida had been promised by Dana White the next title fight, which pretty much guarantees that Alexander Gustafsson or Anderson Silva are next for Jones.

It's near impossible to predict which of those three competitors will be next, because we don't yet know how long Jones' horribly mangled toe injury is going to keep him out. Before his toe injury, it seemed logical that he'd either fight in Boston on August 17 or in Milwaukee on August 31. The Boston show would be an effort to load up the debut on the new sports network Fox Sports 1; the Milwaukee show would be to placate Harley-Davidson. But since he's likely to be not ready for a four-month turnaround, I fully expect Jones to sit out until November, which is the month the UFC will celebrate their 20th anniversary. And for such a big card, I Predict A Superfight (some Kaiser Chiefs fan is giggling right now).

My choice: Jon Jones vs. Anderson Silva, likely in November. Alexander Gustafsson would then face Lyoto Machida for the next title shot. It'd be interesting to see what would happen in Brazil if Silva and Machida both win.


Chael Sonnen: Am I going to write even one word about this self-serving charlatan?



My choice: Chael Sonnen vs. a Vow of Silence in a Tibetan Monestary


Michael Bisping: So, what did we learn about Bisping that we didn't know going in? Nothing? Yeah, that's what I thought. He beats everyone outside of the elite, and he swings and misses against the elite and Chael Sonnen (we should really play Count the Chael cheap shots, in honor of the king of the cheap shots himself). Bisping is a gatekeeper to title contention, but not capable of qualifying himself. So either book him against other guys who aren't talented enough to be champion, or put him in against guys who need to prove their mettle. Frankly, I'd rather see Bisping in entertaining fights that don't mean anything, so...

My choice: Michael Bisping vs. Cung Le. This is a fun fight. Le is one guy in the division that Bisping would really have to work hard in order to find negative things about Le to use to pump him up. And even if he found some ammo, it wouldn't be enough to turn himself to Hans. Or Franz even.

If the UFC chooses to use him in the gatekeeper role, then how about booking Bisping should next face either the winner of Vitor Belfort vs. Luke Rockhold, or the winner of Jacare Souze vs. Costa Philippou. Personally, I hope it would be Jacare.


Roy Nelson: Dana White has already stated that coming off of yet another dominant first round KO that Big country will face either Daniel Cormier or Mark Hunt. I tend to doubt that Hunt will defeat Junior dos Santos at UFC 160, making this an easy call. Cormier vs. Nelson makes all the sense in the world, and Cormier has expressed interest in taking the Nelson fight.

My choice: Roy Nelson vs. Daniel Cormier


Phil Davis: Davis trucked Vinny Magalhaes on Saturday night, showing vastly improved stand-up skills. Of course, against Vinny Magalhaes, your stand-up pretty much HAS to look improved. I mean, if you try to pick up Kate Beckinsale, your game is going to look a lot weaker than Jake Ryan's when trying to pick up Samantha Baker, right? So let's take a step back and realize that all we learned is that Phil Davis is smart enough to know to stand up with Vinny Magalhaes. Considering he went to Penn State, I'm surprised he's capable of self-awareness at all, so mad props and that. Davis needs a striker next.

My choice: Phil Davis vs. the winner of Glover Teixeira vs. James Te Huna. Forrest Griffin, if he ever returns from vacationing with Michael Schoeffling, is in the mix as well (I'll take Famous Recluses for $800, Alex). I wouldn't mind Davis vs. Ryan Bader either. Bader isn't a striker, but at least he should be able to keep Davis standing.


Pat Healy: OK, raise your hands if you saw his destruction of Jim Miller happening? You'll have to excuse my slow typing, because I'm currently typing with one hand (get your mind out of the gutter) whilst my left hand is raised high in the air. I really hope that Miller decides to go down to 145 and become an instant title contender. But let us stop overlooking Pat Healy, as he's been overlooked more often in his life than, well, Samantha Baker at the prom. Healy was once a middle of the road welterweight, yet he still holds wins over Dan Hardy, Carlos Condit, and Paul Daley in that division. Once he dropped to lightweight in 2010, he's gone 9-1 with the only blemish being a loss to the apparently vastly underrated Josh Thompson WITH NO 'P'!!! A fight with Thomson makes all the sense in the world, since they both proved to the world in the last two weeks that they're for real, but I think if I'm going to go Strikeforce vs. Strikeforce, I don't want to do a rematch.

My choice: Pat Healy vs. Gilbert Melendez. Melendez spent plenty of time last year getting hurt as opposed to fighting Healy. Maybe now we can find out what happens when they actually throw down.


Jim Miller: OK, raise your hand if, oh, I already went to that well. As infrequently as I get a fight 100% right, well, let's just say I'm all about the Self-Affirmation , Baby. Miller would be better served at 145, where monsters like Gray Maynard, Ben Henderson, Nate Diaz, and Pat Healy won't be able to muscle him around. That said, he's shown zero interest in the featherweight division, so what do I know. Well, other than knowing Pat Healy was going to muscle him around the cage on Saturday night.

My choice: Jim Miller vs. the loser of Evan Dunham vs. Rafael dos Anjos.


Alan Belcher: What in the hell was that?

My choice: Alan Belcher vs. Brian Stann


Rustam Khabilov: Before you give Khabilov any slack for the way his fight with Yancy Medeiros ended, remember that Khabilov has made it clear that he is not, repeat not, responsible for how you land when he superplexes you. Two UFC fights, two fights ending superplexes. Awesome. But now, it's time for him to fight someone who is actually, you know, in the top 1000 of the division, yes? I'm not calling for a fight with the champ, but he needs to top 100 guy next. I know that sounds like me damning him with faint praise, but once you consider that means...

My choice: Rustam Khabilov vs. the winner of Edson Barboza vs. John Makdessi

...or...

My choice: Rustam Khabilov vs. Anthony Njokuani

...or...

My choice: Rustam Khabilov vs. the winner of Sam Stout vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg

I'm sure you'll start drooling like Pavlov's dog at the violence that will ensue.


Bryan Caraway: The Ronda Rousey jokes were pretty well played out even before he agreed to fight Johnny Bedford on the Monday before UFC 159. And they should be dead and buried after he thoroughly thrashed Bedford on Saturday night. I have nothing but respect for Caraway, other than in his inability to filter out bad advice from his corner. Caraway's for real, and while he may have failed in his first test against top of the line competition, well, let's just say that Miesha Tate's so fine (especially when walking away) that if she gave me stoopid-ass advice like #JustCoast, I'd listen even if it meant losing a fight to Takeya Mizugaki. Caraway deserves a top-15 guy, and deserves a chance to put the Mizugaki fight behind him.

My choice: Bryan Caraway vs. the winner of Brian Bowles vs. George Roop. A fight with Erik Perez could be a lot of fun, but I don't think the UFC's in the position to put two young and talented potential contenders against one another. A fight versus Raphael Assuncao makes sense for Caraway, but not for Assuncao or for the division as a whole.


Sara McMann: I don't know how much to take from McMann's fight against Sheila Gaff. Gaff charged at McMann in such a manner that anyone with one wrestling practice under their belt could have planted her ass on the mat. McMann did nothing with the top position she was gifted, and even admitted after the fight that she agreed with the standup from the referee. After the next takedown, she showed her chops in getting a mounted crucifix. From there it was Nelson vs. Kimbo. People want to see her fight Ronda Rousey because of the whole Olympic medalists thing, but let's slow the wagon. McMann's shown very little standing, she's shown UFC fans only that her style is quite dull, and Rousey isn't going to be available for a full 12 months from now. McMann's going to have to win another fight, then win a fight against Miesha Tate or Liz Carmouche around the end of the year. So, let's do what we can to get her an entertaining fight this summer.

My choice: Sara McMann vs. Alexis Davis. Yeah, that should guarantee excitement.


OTHER FIGHTS TO MAKE

Vinny Magalhaes vs. Brandon Vera or Anthony Perosh
Cheick Kongo vs. Stefan Struve or Ben Rothwell
Cody McKenzie vs. Andy Ogle or Maximo Blanco
Ovince St. Preux vs. Jimi Manuwa or the loser of Thiago Silva vs. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante
Steven Siler vs. Akira Corassani or the winner of Max Holloway vs. Dennis Bermudez

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