UFC on FX 3 was an interesting card that brought us some exciting bouts and close fights. With three finishes on the main card and a headliner that was both close and important to the division,; this was an important event for the Zuffa-led company, as it tries to build up its presence on free television. Looking at the results of this card, there are a number of contests that can be built up after the events of Friday night.
Mike Pierce vs. Dong Hyun Kim/Demian Maia Winner
Mike Pierce is a prime example of why the welterweight division is so stacked. With so many different fighters poised to make a run towards top contender status, Pierce is a number of big fights away from the top competitors at 170. Pierce has already faced a number of top guys in the division, including Josh Koscheck, Johny Hendricks, and Jon Fitch. While he has not been able to break into the top of the division at this point, he remains a very tough competitor in the weight class. The next step for him should be a matchup against the winner of the Dong Hyun Kim vs. Demian Maia fight, which is due to go down on July 7th at UFC 148.
With only one loss on his record, Kim can still potentially become the number one contender for the title in 2013. If he can get past Maia, a win over Pierce would move him that much closer to that position. The Judoka champion has proven he can control fight positioning, which has been Pierce’s calling card throughout his career. It would be interesting to see how that style would fare against Kim, who has been considered one of the strongest welterweights in the division for some time.
Demian Maia is a fighter who is trying to reinvent himself after an unsuccessful bid for the middleweight title. He brings a submission skill set that is one of the best in MMA, however, of late he has leaned on his improving striking skills, and that has cost him. Look for him to go back to his grappling roots at welterweight, as he would need to against fighters like Pierce, who take opponents down, or press them against the cage to control the bout.
Either Maia or Kim is an adequate step up in competition for Pierce, who remains relevant even as he sits outside of the Top 15 in the welterweight division.
Erick Silva vs. Brian Ebersole/TJ Waldburger Winner
Erick Silva has been in the Octagon for a little more than six minutes total, and has already impressed the masses. His movement and explosive strikes continue to put opponents on the mat, and this time he proved that his grappling abilities are not too far behind. Although he should be 3-0 as a UFC fighter, he is 2-1 because of a controversial disqualification. Even still, he should be given a step up, and face tougher competition, which is abundant at 170 pounds.
Brian Ebersole is a veteran who walked into the UFC and shocked everyone when he defeated Chris Lytle in 2011. From there he has continued to be successful, and is a veteran to watch in the weight class. While it is unlikely he will make a serious run towards the welterweight title, he is a tough test for emerging young fighters such as Silva. He’s a grappler at heart who knows how to submit or stop fighters on the ground with strikes, so he should be well-equipped to handle what Silva brings to competition.
Waldburger, on the other hand, is another member of the group of twentysomething year-old fighters who are taking over the welterweight division. Though he was stopped by Hendricks at Fight Night 24, he has won three other fights in the UFC. His grappling abilities are outstanding, as his transitions allow him to take advantage of openings in many different positions. The question is whether or not he would be able to get the bout to the ground, but if he does, the advantage would be his.
Eddie Wineland vs. Chris Cariaso/Josh Ferguson Winner
Many people forget that Eddie Wineland is a former champion in the bantamweight division. Yes, it was before the UFC brought the WEC under its banner, but he is a quality fighter that is truly a threat to anyone standing across the Octagon from him. On Friday night, he became the first person to stop Scott Jorgensen, and while he may not be ready to shoot to the top of the rankings, he is still a solid fighter in the weight class.
Going forward, he should be matched against the winner of the Chris Cariaso/Josh Ferguson bout that is due to take place at UFC on Fuel TV 4. Cariaso is 2-1 in the Octagon, and is riding a two-fight win streak. Ferguson is trying to get his first win under the Zuffa banner, and has a tough test in front of him in the form of Cariaso. A Wineland -Cariaso fight would be a great option to display which competitor is ready to remain relevant in the bantamweight division.
Standing 6’2” tall, Tim Means is the tallest lightweight on the UFC’s roster. And he knows how to use that range well, as 13 of his 15 wins have come by a form of knockout. He continued that trend as he beat Justin Salas all across the cage. The wiry lightweight announced his presence into the UFC’s lightweight division with two straight wins, and he should be matched against Danny Castillo for his next fight.
Castillo is the Team Alpha Male stable member that is most often overlooked. He struggled against some of the top competition in the WEC, but has since run up a 4-1 record while in the UFC. He may have been written off by most as beyond the top ten of the weight class, but he is still a tough out for anyone who faces him. Means would have to be wary of Castillo’s wrestling abilities and the versatility of his attacks. In order for Means to be considered a fighter to watch as a 155-pounder, he should have to face and defeat a “gatekeeper” such as “Last Call.”
There is definitely the opportunity for the UFC to create some strong follow-up fights to those on UFC on FX 3. Yet these are only a few suggestions as to where matchmakers should take these competitors. It remains to be seen what the future holds in the dog-eat-dog world of the UFC.
