With yet another UFC PPV in the books, a new group of fighters have additional defeats added to their respective ledgers. The ones that are kept on the UFC roster will each have to get a win, and do so soon. These fights are suggestions that will keep them in action in meaningful bouts later in 2014:
Ali Bagautinov vs. the loser of Ian McCall vs. Brad Pickett
Ali Bagautinov had nothing to offer Demetrious Johnson in the main event of UFC 174. The Dagestani fighter has a lot of work to do if he’s going to challenge for the title again. The top tier of the flyweight division has a wealth of talent for him to sort through. A good first step would be pairing Bagautinov against the loser of the Ian McCall vs. Brad Pickett matchup that is due to happen at UFC Fight Night 46 on July 19.
Both Pickett and McCall are very tough flyweights that are highly regarded in the division. The loser of this upcoming fight will likely not fall outside of the top fifteen. Bagautinov would be a perfect next opponent for either of the two men. The division needs to continue building up fan awareness by creating the most exciting fights possible at 125 pounds.
Ali Bagautinov should be matched against the loser of McCall vs. Pickett in a preliminary bout on Fox Sports 1.
Tyron Woodley vs. the loser of Matt Brown vs. Robbie Lawler
Tyron Woodley found himself in a very difficult position with Rory MacDonald in the co-main event. He couldn’t answer anything that MacDonald had to offer him. Now the former Strikeforce contender is once again bumped down the ladder and has to work his way back up to get the title shot he covets. This loss doesn’t push him all the way back to the bottom, but it could knock him out of contention in 2014.
The upcoming UFC on Fox 12 fight between Matt Brown and Robbie Lawler is being considered a number one contender’s bout for Johny Hendricks‘ welterweight title. The loser will still have value to the UFC and should be matched against Woodley.
This fight would be best suited as a main card bout on the card that Hendricks defends his title against either Lawler or Brown. Either fighter could step in as an injury replacement if needed, or the timetable would work for determining the next contender.
Rafael Cavalcante vs. the loser of Sean O’Connell vs. Gian Villante
To say that Rafael Cavalcante has been a disappointment since joining the UFC would be quite the understatement. In fact, the former Strikeforce champion is veering closely to being cut from the roster if he continues down this path. At this time he is safe from the chopping block, however, and should be matched against the loser of Sean O’Connell vs. Gian Villante, which takes place at UFC Fight Night 43: Te Huna vs. Marquardt.
Rafael Cavalcante still has some value to the UFC in the Brazilian market, where he is a bigger star than he is elsewhere. Either O’Connell or Villante would work as an opponent for “Feijao” the next time the promotion holds a card in that country.
Brendan Schaub vs. Josh Barnett
The heavyweight division truly lacks a wealth of contenders, or even viable gatekeepers. Brendan Schaub took a controversial decision loss against Andrei Arlovski that shouldn’t hurt his stock too much; the former NFL player could still be booked in a promising manner. Josh Barnett stands out as a potential opponent, as he could use a key win, or he’ll end up being another big name added to Schaub’s resume.
Barnett is a storied veteran that has a large following in the sport. Matching him against Schaub would either give Schaub a launching point back on the right track or put “The Warmaster” right back into the mix of things at heavyweight.
Barnett vs. Schaub would best work as a main card fight for a UFC event on the Fox network.
UFC 174 produced some winners and losers who are now in interesting positions. Although a few of the fighters who tasted defeat can expect to be released from their contracts, the individuals on this list should all get additional chances to perform in the Octagon. These fights would serve as viable options for their next bouts.
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UFC 174: Johnson vs. Bagautinov took place on June 14, 2014 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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