Sam's Main Card Recap
1) Pat Barry vs. Lavar Johnson: Johnson is a beast! He has semi trucks attached to his arms. He is a brutal fighter. This also showed that Barry no longer has what it takes to stay in the UFC. Johnson proved with this KO, that he is ready for a step up in competition.
Possible matchups for Johnson: What better fight for Johnson than Shane Carwin? This would be an absolute slugfest with two of the heaviest hitters in all of MMA. Not only that, but if Johnson can win that fight, which I highly doubt, then he has firmly established himself as a title contender. I see Carwin playing it smart and taking him down for a submission if he gets hit with one of those trucks.
Possible Matchups for Barry: Quite honestly, I no longer have interest in Barry. Yea he is a really funny and entertaining guy, but he no longer deserves another shot in the UFC. If he does, then him against Rob Broughton would be a loser goes home fight.
2) Rousimar Palhares vs. Alan Belcher: Belcher is the real deal, and he is insane. He went into one of the most dangerous places in all of MMA, escaped and TKO’d the hulk that is Paul Harris. A lot of people went into this fight expecting Palhares to add Belcher’s leg to his collection, but Belcher showed that he clearly has a very underrated ground game and is a threat for the belt.
Possible matchups for Belcher: I think that after this fight, Belcher is now a top 7 middleweight. A fight against the Bisping/Boestch winner would be a number 1 contender eliminator.
Possible matchups for Palhares: If Palhares wants a “get back on track” type of following fight, then a fight against the winner of the McGee/Ring fight could end up as that type of fight.
3) Johny Hendricks vs. Josh Koscheck: I am really happy that Hendricks won this fight. Although that it was really close, he still has established himself as a top 8 or 7 guy in the UFC welterweight division. Koscheck is quickly showing that he no longer has what he used to have when he was a title contender back in 2010.
Possible matchups for Hendricks: Although Dana has already promised Hendricks a title shot, I don’t think that he has proven himself just yet. A fight against the Ellenberger/Kampmann winner would make 100% sense because that would truly show who is ready for a title shot against either GSP or Condit.
Possible matchups for Koscheck: I really think that Koscheck should move up a weight class. It could certainly revitalize his dwindling career. If he doesn’t, then a fight against Papy Abedi would be a good rebound for Koscheck, considering the fact that Abedi is not so good.
4) Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller: Nate Diaz is the real deal. He has a very good chance at winning that belt. He truly has come from behind his brother’s shadow and become a more technical, aggressive, respectful, and entertaining version of Nick. Jim Miller is still one of the best lightweights in the world, but Diaz was just simply the better fighter. Diaz has truly established himself as a true threat for the belt.
Possible matchups for Diaz: Although Dana also promised him a title shot, I don’t think that a win over a guy who wasn’t going to get a title shot if he won is title shot worthy. A fight against Anthony Pettis would be one hell of a fight. But it seems that Diaz will be fighting the winner of Henderson/Edgar.
Possible matchups for Miller: Like I said before, Miller is still one the best lightweights in the world. He has been given some very tough fights as of late, so I think it’s time to give him a break and give him an easier fight. Perhaps if Stephens loses his next fight with Cerrone, him against Miller could happen.
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