Mixed martial arts fans were looking forward to UFC 178, a change of pace from other cards which had been met with lackluster feelings. And UFC 178 delivered. Even though everyone couldn’t go home a victor at the end of the night, that doesn’t mean they can’t still have exciting fights to look forward to in the future. These are suggestions for what the UFC should do next with the losers at UFC 178:
Chris Cariaso found himself in over his head when he faced Demetrious Johnson in the main event of UFC 178. Less than ten minutes into the contest, “Mighty Mouse” secured a fight-ending kimura that sent Cariaso home with another loss on his record. The contender now has to build himself back up if he wants to again reach a position that many felt he should not have been in to begin with. Tim Elliott can serve as a competitor to help start that streak.
Elliott is a very confusing flyweight, as he uses awkward movement and striking to confuse his opponents. Even though he doesn’t have the greatest record to date, he has been known to put on exciting bouts. Pitting him against Cariaso would help set both competitors on the right track.
Chris Cariaso vs. Tim Elliott would work best as a preliminary bout for a UFC Fight Night event on Fox Sports 1.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Josh Thomson
Eddie Alvarez started out strong but fell short in his UFC debut against Donald Cerrone. Now the former Bellator lightweight champion has to find a way to build himself back up in a division he was expected to vault himself into contendership in. A fight against Josh Thomson would be an excellent matchup to make to accomplish that as quickly as possible.
Both Thomson and Alvarez have been recognized as lightweights that were trailblazers outside of the UFC. Since coming into the organization they have not had the best of luck, but they still provide star power, regardless of where they are placed on the card. Pitting them against each other would allow Alvarez vs. Thomson to serve as a featured co-main event, preferably for the UFC on Fox event at the end of the year.
Dustin Poirier vs. the loser of Darren Elkins vs. Lucas Martins
Dustin Poirier found himself quickly dispatched as the latest victim of Conor McGregor‘s run towards the top of the featherweight heap. “The Diamond” will most likely be very disappointed with his performance, and he needs to turn things around to stay relevant at 145. The loser of the upcoming fight between Darren Elkins and Lucas Martins is an opponent that would help do so.
Elkins and Martins are due to face off at UFC 179 in October. Both featherweights have had some strong performances in the Octagon and are fringe top 15 fighters. Poirier would be able to quickly reassert himself in the weight class if he can defeat either one of these athletes.
Poirier vs. either Elkins or Martins would work as a main card bout for a UFC Fight Night event on UFC Fight Pass.
Tim Kennedy vs. Gegard Mousasi
Controversy or not, Tim Kennedy had his three-fight win streak halted in violent fashion by Yoel Romero. Now, the American war hero looks to rebuild his stature as a 185-pounder. Pairing him with a former world champion in Gegard Mousasi creates a good fight for both individuals, an interesting contest between two men who were important in Strikeforce and continued to experience success after moving over to the Octagon.
Kennedy vs. Mousasi should be used as a main event for a UFC Fight Night event in Europe that airs on UFC Fight Pass.
Amanda Nunes vs. Lauren Murphy
Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes came out of the gates like a real lioness against Cat Zingano. But unfortunately, she ran out of gas and found herself getting pounded into a stoppage in the third round. Now the Brazilian will look to get back on the right track. Lauren Murphy is also coming off a loss, and pitting them against each other would create a vital matchup for the women’s bantamweight division.
Murphy and Nunes are both fringe contenders in the weight class who are multiple wins away from a title shot at this point in time. This fight would help the winner get closer to the short list of potential contenders.
Nunes vs. Murphy would work as a preliminary bout for a UFC PPV event.
UFC 178 was the promotion’s deepest event in the last few years. This card has set the tone going forward for a number of fighters’ careers. The winners are on to bigger and better things, but the individuals who were unable to get their hands raised at the end of their bouts should look towards fights such as these to help build momentum in the next steps of their respective careers.
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UFC 178: Johnson vs. Cariaso (formerly UFC 178: Jones vs. Cormier, UFC 178: Jones vs. Gustafsson II) took place on September 27, 2014 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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