WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE UFC ON FOX FIGHTERS
By Joe Lebeau on 1/29/2012 1:05 AM
UFC on FOX 2 is in the books. Title challengers have been determined, but here PWInsiderXTRA takes a look at what's next for tonight's winners and losers.
Winners:
Chris Camozzi (16-5): Camozzi weathered a bunch of low blows en route to his third round submission victory over Dustin Jacoby. I'd like to see him matched up against
Aaron Simpson or
Ed Herman next. Either of those fights would be a good addition to any preliminary card.
Lavar Johnson (16-5): Looking improved in his complete destruction of Joey Beltran, look for Lavar to face another low-level Heavyweight, perhaps put him in there with
Christian Morecraft, or more likely the winner of the upcoming
Chad Griggs/Travis Browne fight.
Michael Johnson (10-6): Johnson has improved greatly, although he still has a long way to go towards working on his defensiveness. I'd like to see him matched up against
Danny Castillo, Fabricio Camoes, or Evan Dunham.
Charles Oliveira (15-2-1): Following a quick submission victory over Eric Wisely, "Do Bronx" is ready for a higher level featherweight. Match him up with TUF 14 winner Diego Brandao and watch the one of the best fights that you will see this year.
Cub Swanson (16-5): Stunning George Roop with his first win in over a year, Swanson needs to prove himself further before stepping up into the upper echelon of the division. Let's have him face Yuri Alcantara in Brazil this June.
Mike Russow (15-1): Turning in a lacklustre, yet effective performance against John-Olav Einemo tonight, I expect Russow to take a slight step-up in competition. The winner of Mark Hunt vs Cheick Kongo should make for an interesting match-up with the Chicago police officer.
Evan Dunham (13-2): Dunham beat Nik Lentz, Mark Bocek beat Nik Lentz last month. If Bocek gets past Wiman, him and Dunham could make for a great fight. If not, why not Michael Johnson? If not, Danny Castillo or Fabricio Camoes.
Chris Weidman (8-0): Looking gassed as all hell in the octagon, no one blames Weidman for his performance, coming in on 11 days notice. I wouldn't mind Weidman taking on Mark Munoz to clear up who will be the next title challenger after Sonnen.
Chael Sonnen (27-11-1): Backing up to his trash talk, expect the words to get much more harsh, as he prepares for a rematch with Anderson Silva in Brazil.
Rashad Evans (17-1-1): Barring injury, "Suga" finally gets his shot at Jon Jones in Atlanta at UFC 145.
Losers:
Dustin Jacoby (6-2): Jacoby is not ready to be in the UFC. He has looked just terrible in both of his fights in the octagon. Having only been a professional since 2010, let's have Jacoby go back to the regionals and work on his game before making a case for a return.
Joey Beltran (13-7): If Beltran wants to stay in the UFC, he's going to need to drop to light heavyweight. It's too early to match him up with anyone, just work on that weight cut and beg for your job back. He'd be lucky if he stays with the promotion, but I have a hard time believing they'd release someone who usually puts on entertaining fights.
Shane Roller (10-6): Roller needs to work on his grappling defense before stepping back in the cage. Tommy Hayden or Cody McKenzie would be a good fight for him next.
Eric Wisely (19-7): Wisely lost quickly tonight, but I see no reason to cut him. He has proven that he is a good fighter, so match him up with Antonio Carvalho, a great fighter in his own right, and let's see who advances and who goes home.
George Roop (12-9): Despite not having the best results in his last few fights, I wouldn't expect Roop goes home just yet. Let's have him face another fighter with mixed results in the octagon, Michihiro Omigawa to see who survives and who gets their walking papers.
John-Olav Einemo (6-3): Suffering his second loss in as many fights in the octagon, one would expect the Golden Glory fighter to be released. I personally would like to see him have one more shot, facing the loser of Mark Hunt vs Cheick Kongo somewhere down the line.
Nik Lentz (21-5-2): It was heavily rumored that Lentz would be handed his walking papers if he didn't take this fight when it was offered to him. Having suffered his second straight loss, and despite it being a no contest, getting his ass handed to him against Charles Oliveira, I expect this is the last we see of "The Carny", at least for the time being.
Demian Maia (15-4): Looking as gassed as Weidman in their fight, Maia needs to work on his conditioning, as there is no excuse for that. Look for Maia to fight
Bisping, or perhaps
Mayhem.
Michael Bisping (22-4): Suffering a pretty lopsided loss to Chael Sonnen tonight, Bisping needs another to take a few months off and come back to face
Vitor Belfort or
Rousimar Palhares.
Phil Davis (9-1): No shame in losing to a fighter at Rashad's level, but Davis is not ready for the higher level of competition. I'd like to see Davis come back and fight the loser of Rampage vs Ryan Bader, which goes down next month in Japan.
