UFC 189 was set up to be the biggest show of 2015 up to this point. Even though Jose Aldo was forced off of the card due to injury, fans were still excited to see Conor McGregor defeat Chad Mendes, while in the co-main event Robbie Lawler defended his title against Rory MacDonald. Now that the event is over, there are a number of options available for the men who were unable to claim victories:
Chad Mendes vs. Dennis Bermudez
Chad Mendes continued to perpetuate the Team Alpha Male “curse,” as he fell short in his third bid for UFC gold. Even though he will still be considered one of the best in the featherweight division, he’s a long ways off from getting a fourth crack at a title. Dennis Bermudez is in a difficult position as well, so each man should become the other’s next opponent at this point in their careers.
Bermudez was riding a massive wave of success before losing in his last two appearances in the Octagon. Jeremy Stephens put him away in spectacular fashion at UFC 189, and that loss will clearly knock him a bit further down the ladder. Placing him into a matchup against Mendes will set up an action-packed brawl with important implications for the winner.
Chad Mendes vs. Dennis Bermudez should be used as a main card bout for a UFC event on the Fox platform.
Rory MacDonald was once expected to be the man to carry the welterweight division once his teammate and countryman Georges St. Pierre left the sport. GSP has left, but MacDonald has not stepped into the predestined position. He’s had two major failures against Robbie Lawler, and his defeat at UFC 189 is a huge stumbling block in his climb to the top of the 170-pound mountaintop.
MacDonald faces a six-month medical suspension, so when he returns in early 2016, Nick Diaz would be an interesting opponent. Diaz may be coming off of multiple losses and a potential suspension due to a positive drug test for marijuana metabolites at UFC 183, but a MacDonald vs. Diaz fight would immediately put both of these men into an exciting style matchup that fans would enjoy, as well as put the winner back into the “mix” at 170 pounds.
Rory MacDonald vs. Nick Diaz should be used as a co-main event fight for a UFC PPV event in Canada, or a main event fight for a UFC Fight Night card in Canada.
Tim Means vs. Mike Swick
Tim Means faced a very tough opponent in Matt Brown. He was unable to get the win that would have helped him move into the top 15 of this weight class, and while he still isn’t far off, he’s going to have to put together a string of wins before any consideration will come his way. Booking Means against Mike Swick would be a move in the right direction for both men.
Swick vs. Means would be a violent and action-packed battle. Both men tend to deal out most of their damage through striking exchanges. Those enjoying this fight would expect some sort of violent finish to the battle.
Mike Swick vs. Tim Means should be used as a preliminary card “main event” for an upcoming UFC event on the Fox platform.
Now that UFC 189 is over, the UFC will have to begin rebuilding the athletes who lost as they look toward their next fights. There is a lot of potential in using the losers from UFC 189 in fights that will add value to any card, while helping these men reposition themselves in their respective divisions.
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UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor (formerly UFC 189: Aldo vs. McGregor) took place on July 11, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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