UFC 183 was about the return of the man that many consider to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Anderson Silva. While he took a one-sided win over Nick Diaz, the Brazilian star is still uncertain about his future in the sport. With that in mind, here are some fight suggestions to continue the careers of other men and women who were able to get their hands raised in Las Vegas:
Tyron Woodley vs. the winner of Johny Hendricks vs. Matt Brown
Tyron Woodley is an interesting fighter at welterweight. He is often overlooked when talking about the top contenders in the division, but he is very close to getting a shot at the title. That shot could come if he finds a way to defeat either Johny Hendricks or Matt Brown.
Hendricks vs. Brown is set for UFC 185, and it is a bout where the winner can be slotted against the champion, Robbie Lawler. However, if the winner does not face Lawler, Woodley deserves to enter the conversation. He has a strong wrestling and striking game that would pair up well against either man.
Tyron Woodley vs. either Johny Hendricks or Matt Brown should be used as a co-main event for a UFC show during the third quarter of 2015.
Since coming back to the UFC, Thales Leites has looked like an improved fighter. With his fifth straight Octagon win and eighth overall, the Brazilian has re-emerged as a potential contender to Chris Weidman’s title.
A fight between Tim Kennedy and Thales Leites would help determine exactly where Leites is on the roster. This would be his biggest win since earning a title shot back in 2009. Kennedy is a tough opponent who would not shy away from matching Leites on the mat, but also has the power to land big shots on the feet.
Thales Leites vs. Tim Kennedy should be used as a main card fight for a UFC event on the Fox platform.
Al Iaquinta vs. Jorge Masvidal
Al Iaquinta is on a strong run as a UFC lightweight. With his victory over Joe Lauzon, he is now 6-2 in the division. If he is to become a fighter that is on the short list of title contenders, he should step in to face Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night 61.
Jorge Masvidal was due to face Bobby Green, but Green pulled out of the fight due to injury. His replacement was named as Benson Henderson, but “Smooth” has decided to move up to welterweight and face Brandon Thatch in the main event. Since this fight is more than eight weeks away, Iaquinta should step up to take the spot. Both men would have a lot to gain from this victory, and their styles match up exactly how fight fans would enjoy.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Al Iaquinta would work as a main card fight for the UFC Fight Night 61 event.
Miesha Tate proved a lot of people wrong when she found a way to defeat Sara McMann in the UFC 183 “preliminary card main event.” This win keeps her as a viable name in the women’s bantamweight division, but doesn’t quite put her in the title picture. It’s uncertain whether Tate can earn her way back to another title shot against Ronda Rousey, but she is doing all of the right things to end up there.
Matching her against Holly Holm would determine whether Tate should even be considered for another run at the belt. Holm is due to face Raquel Pennington at UFC 184, and if she can win that fight, then find a way to defeat Tate, that would immediately catapult her to the top of the rankings within the division.
Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm would work as a co-main event for a UFC card on Fox.
John Lineker vs. Demetrious Johnson
With his victory at UFC 183, John Lineker would have finally earned the title shot he’s chased as a UFC flyweight. However, the biggest hurdle to him getting that shot is that his fight with Ian McCall, like some of his other victories, was contested above the flyweight limit. There are many questions about whether or not he can be trusted to make weight when it counts, and indeed, UFC President Dana White has publicly stated that Lineker’s days as a UFC flyweight are over.
However, the UFC flyweight division is bereft of viable challengers, and right now Demetrious Johnson sits idle waiting for either John Dodson to return or for a new contender to emerge. If Dodson has another setback, then White may be forced to go back on his word (an outcome that is not without some precedent). If Lineker is capable of proving that he can consistently make 125 pounds, then he could be the next man to face “Mighty Mouse.”
Lineker possesses the kind of power in his strikes that has been a problem for Johnson in the past. However, he lacks the real speed and technique to keep pace with the champion. It will be interesting to see whether or not he can land the shots he’d need to put the champion away.
Demetrious Johnson vs. John Lineker should be used as the co-main event for a UFC PPV.
UFC 183 was a solid show that capped off a strong January for the organization. With all the momentum the company has gained, and with injuries making for a rough couple of months ahead, these fight suggestions would work as the next steps for keeping these fighters in the limelight until they step into the Octagon again.
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UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz took place on January 31, 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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