In the shadow of UFC 189, The Ultimate Fighter Season 21 Finale was a card that snuck up on fight fans, but it became another opportunity to catch some additional MMA action over the weekend. At the end of the night, Stephen Thompson gave fans a highlight-reel moment. And earlier in the night, Jorge Masvidal and Michelle Waterson had standout performances. Looking forward, these fight suggestions should be next up for each of the winners:
Stephen Thompson vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Stephen Thompson continued his winning ways when he dispatched Jake Ellenberger with a spinning hook kick to the head. This marks five straight wins for Thompson, who should start to see a bump up in the UFC rankings and in his quality of opposition. With that in mind, Dong Hyun Kim is the perfect individual for him to face next.
Kim is a very aggressive, but not a technical striker in any sense of the word. He has been increasing his output in recent bouts, even if that sometimes ends up with him being knocked out. Kim is coming off of a win over Josh Burkman at UFC 187 which kept him ranked within the top ten of the division, and Thompson vs. Kim would be an exciting striking battle if Kim stands with Thompson, but he also has the judo background to take the fight on the floor if need be.
Thompson vs. Kim should be used as a main card bout for UFC Fight Night 76, the next time the UFC travels to Asia.
Jorge Masvidal has long been a feared boxer, with the technical skills to stun and finish someone at a moment’s notice. Cezar Ferreira became the latest victim when he was stopped at 4:22 of the first round. Masvidal’s best chance at a title run is at lightweight, but if he continues to compete as a welterweight, Matt Brown should be next in line.
Brown is a violent striker that gets into the most exciting battles with men that are willing to stand in front of him and throw strikes. Masvidal has great footwork, but he has flourished in these types of exchanges as well. Putting Brown and Masvidal together in the cage would create the exact type of fight that would grab the attention of fight fans.
Masvidal vs. Brown should be used as a main card bout for a UFC Fight Night event on Fox.
Michelle Waterson vs. Randa Markos
Michelle Waterson looked fantastic in her first bout as a member of the UFC roster. She was able to fend off a close armbar attempt from Angela Magana in the early stages of the fight, and from that point forward she proved why she is one of the most technically sound strikers and grapplers within the strawweight division. She displayed a full closet of skills at the perfect time in the development of the UFC’s 115-pound weight class, and her next opponent should be Randa Markos.
Markos recently defeated Aisling Daly at UFC 186. She’s ranked near the top of the division. This fight would be an opportunity to match Waterson against a high-ranked opponent in order to fast track her to bigger fights within the division. The former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion is used to the big stage, so the UFC should take full advantage of her experience and star power.
Waterson vs. Markos is best utilized as an opening main card bout for a UFC PPV event.
Maximo Blanco vs. Mike De La Torre 2
Only sixteen seconds into their main card opener, Maximo Blanco landed a right hand that sent De La Torre to the mat, and in his haste to protect the fighter, Yves Lavigne jumped in and stopped the fight. Replays showed that although it initially looked like the stunned Californian would fall backwards and hit his head on the canvas, he recovered his footing and secured a defensive posture, even grabbing Blanco’s leg. Unfortunately, Lavigne was already in the process of calling the contest for the Venezuelan.
Despite Blanco’s attempt to call out new Interim Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor in the postfight interview, the most appropriate course of action would be to re-book the matchup as soon as possible, and give both fighters a chance at redemption. De La Torre can prove that his ignominous defeat was a fluke, and Blanco can validate his spectacular but tainted win by proven in more definitive fashion that he is the better man. Run it back, I say.
The Blanco vs. De La Torre rematch should be placed onto a preliminary card on Fox Sports 1.
In the featured fight of the preliminary card, Josh Samman soundly defeated Caio Magalhaes, bloodying him before finishing him off with a rear naked choke. Regardless of the controversy in the postfight, Samman is ready for bigger and better challenges at middleweight, as he rides a three-fight win streak.
Another fighter who may be making a move at 185 pounds is Thiago Santos, who is coming off of two scintillating first round wins, the last a devastating head kick KO over Steve Bosse at UFC Fight Night 70. This matchup pitting TUF competitors from the US and Brazilian versions of the show against one another is probably best suited to be booked for a Brazilian UFC Fight Night card.
The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale featured a lot of lesser-known talent within the UFC. Still, by the end of the night, mixed martial arts fans were introduced to some new names to follow in the sport. These fight suggestions will keep these winners relevant and moving up within their respective weight classes.
**********
The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale takes place on July 12, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think the TUF 21 Finale was.
