UFC 168 was the big end of the year show that the Ultimate Fighting Championship usually puts on each December. This year’s event featured two big rematches for the middleweight and the women’s bantamweight title. Chris Weidman and Ronda Rousey left the cage with their belts, and had their next opponents in line announced shortly thereafter. Travis Browne also knew his next dance partner by the end of the night. So with those matchups in mind, here are some suggestions for next fights for the other individuals who were able to get their hands raised that night:
Jim Miller vs. Michael Johnson
Jim Miller and Michael Johnson are two athletes who are in similar positions, but headed in different directions. Miller was a constant lightweight contender until a rough series of events has placed him on the toughest stretch of fights he’s had since joining the UFC. Johnson was expected to be someone to watch in the lightweight division when he came off of The Ultimate Fighter, but he hasn’t quite lived up to the billing until recently. And with their respective performances at UFC 168, it would be very interesting to place them in a fight against each other to see who is on a positive track.
Miller is a grinding fighter that usually forces the positions that he wants on his opponents. However, he’s struggled against big wrestlers that have the ability to stop him from pressuring them around the cage. Johnson has fight-stopping power, but he doesn’t have the grappling experience or acument to deal with Miller’s ground game. This style matchup would create a captivating fight that will either help Johnson start a run towards a higher position at 155 or help Miller remain relevant in the division.
Even though the UFC sometimes shies away from matching fighters together from the same card, Johnson vs. Miller would be a strong fight to cap off a preliminary card on Fox Sports 1 before a PPV main card starts.
Dustin Poirier vs. Dennis Siver
The featherweight division has quietly become a group of compelling fighters with one stalwart champion at the top. Dustin Poirier and Dennis Siver both looked very good in their fights at UFC 168 and would benefit from facing each other in 2014. If the UFC isn’t averse to putting two fighters from the same card together, where these men are currently positioned provides ample support for the creation of this fight.
Poirier was at one time considered the fighter with the best chance to take the title away from Jose Aldo. Unfortunately, a few miscues halted his progression, but he consistently looks improved in his fights. Siver is a monstrous featherweight who has a dynamic striking game that confuses many of his opponents. Matching Poirier and Siver would help establish the winner as a potential title contender in 2014.
Poirier vs. Siver would work as an opening bout for a PPV main card in 2014.
Uriah Hall vs. Magnus Cedenblad
The UFC is determined to build Uriah Hall into the knockout machine that they promoted through The Ultimate Fighter. While his first two official UFC fights were disappointing, he showed flashes of his deadly striking against Chris Leben. However, matchmakers need to take a slow approach with Hall to build up his confidence if they hope for him to become who they want him to. So while Magnus Cedenblad is a name that many may not recognize on the UFC roster, his fighting style has the potential to fit well with Hall.
Cedenblad has the ability to strike with his opponents in the middleweight division, but has shown a propensity to look for submissions as of late. Pairing him with Hall would afford Hall the opportunity for slow growth that he needs at this point in time.
Cedenblad vs. Hall could work as a main card bout for a UFC event the next time they travel to a location in Europe, such as Sweden, where Cedenblad is from.
John Howard was expected to be served on a platter during his second run in the UFC, but he’s looked much improved in his last two fights. He was an underdog going into the fight with Siyar Bahadurzada, but that didn’t stop him from the three round grind that he put his opponent through. Howard’s a long way off from being considered a contender at 170, but he’s still someone worth watching in 2014.
His next fight should be against another fighter who recently returned to the UFC. Patrick Cote was once a former contender to the middleweight title, but injuries and disappointing losses saw him shunted from the organization. He’s gone 2-1 since returning to the UFC in 2012.
Cote vs. Howard would be a good fight to put together for the UFC’s next trip to Canada. As the company looks to keep momentum in the land that GSP built, Cote could help draw attention in his homeland.
UFC 168 was a strong card to close out the year for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Two champions and one major contender had the next steps in their respective careers already mapped out at the end of the night. These fight suggestions would help move along everyone else that had their hands raised after performing well in Las Vegas.
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UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva II took place on December 28, 2013 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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