On paper, the UFC Fight Night 42 main card was one of the most compelling FOX Sports 1-televised lineups in recent memory. At the end of the night, the fighters showed why as they delivered the goods inside Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, N.M.
Benson Henderson (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) claimed victory over Rustam Khabilov (17-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in the main event with a fourth-round submission victory after a back-and-forth battle.
Diego Sanchez (25-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC), John Dodson (16-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Rafael dos Anjos (21-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC), Piotr Hallmann (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Bryan Caraway (19-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) also emerged victorious from their respective bouts to move up the pecking order in their weight classes.
After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next. And with another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Joe Silva’s (and Sean Shelby’s) shoes, and play UFC matchmaker.
BRYAN CARAWAY
Should fight: Iuri Alcantara
Why they should fight: While Caraway may be thought of as nothing more than a butt of a joke to many, he is consistently proving to be a more than capable UFC fighter with his performances inside the octagon.
Caraway’s most recent triumph was a submission of Erik Perez, and despite the fact it was somewhat overshadowed by a “fish-hooking” controversy, the fact remains he’s won four of his five UFC bouts with the lone defeat coming by split decision.
“Kid Lightning” has earned a significant step up in competition, and Iuri Alcantara (30-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who earned a knockout win at the UFC’s event in Germany this past weekend, fits the mold of an ideal opponent.
Alcantara is a well-rounded fighter with the skills necessary to push Caraway to his limit. Both men have had recent success in the bantamweight division and the winner of this contest would move from a fighter with a respectable winning streak to one in title contention.
PIOTR HALLMAN
Should fight: Winner of Kajan Johnson vs. Tae Hyun Bang at UFC 174
Why they should fight: Submitting Yves Edwards is absolutely not something to overlook, but it’s clear Hallmann still has some work to do on his skills before becoming a ranked fighter in a jam-packed lightweight division.
Even though he took out one of the most experienced fighters on the UFC roster, the Polish product should be brought along slowly. Fighting an opponent like the winner of Saturday’s UFC 174 bout between Kajan Johnson (19-10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Tae Hyun Bang (16-8 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is a step in the right direction.
RAFAEL DOS ANJOS
Should fight: Myles Jury
Why they should fight: An untimely injury to Myles Jury (14-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) forced him out a scheduled UFC Fight Night 44 bout with Abel Trujillo later this month. Fortunately, that injury is not expected to keep him out of action for particularly long.
To be frank, Jury was deserving of a more established lightweight than Trujillo. Luckily, dos Anjos just became available after an incredibly impressive showing against Jason High for his sixth win in seven fights.
Dos Anjos’ grappling will always be a threat, but his striking has turned into a legitimate force in recent fights as well. Jury is waiting for the opportunity to face an opponent in high standing at 155 pounds. A fight with dos Anjos would reveal exactly where he fits in among the elite.
JOHN DODSON
Should fight: Winner of Demetrious Johnson vs. Ali Bagautinov at UFC 174
Why they should fight: Even though he is just two fights removed from a championship bout with reigning flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, it would be hard to argue Dodson isn’t the No. 1 contender at 125 pounds.
Dodson thumped John Moraga en route to a stoppage win and proceeded to call for a crack at the gold in his post-fight interview. With the flyweight belt on the line between Johnson (19-2-1 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC) and Ali Bagautinov (13-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) next weekend at UFC 174 in Vancouver, the timing works perfectly to look ahead to the next title fight.
Barring a major upset by Bagautinov, a rematch between Dodson and Johnson is one of the hottest fights to make in the lighter weight classes.
DIEGO SANCHEZ
Should fight: Ross Pearson
Why they should fight: As MMAjunkie’s Ben Fowlkes helped explain, Sanchez escaped from Albuquerque with one of the most questionable decision wins in UFC history.
An argument can be made that no rematch should take place because Ross Pearson (15-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC) so clearly should have taken home what can only be described as a bogus split decision victory. However, “The Real Deal” deserves the chance to get this fight back due to the fact he was utterly robbed in his opponent’s hometown.
It’s quite obvious Pearson owns the superior skill set at this point, and while it would be hard to blame UFC matchmakers for going another direction, he should be granted the opportunity to right the wrong of one of the most controversial decisions ever seen inside the octagon.
BENSON HENDERSON
Should fight: Khabib Nurmagomedov
Why they should fight: Henderson has expressed his willingness to take on all comers in the lightweight division, which is perfect for a man few want to fight in Khabib Nurmagomedov (22-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).
When Henderson first signed to fight Khabilov, he, strangely enough, actually thought he was preparing to face Nurmagomedov. If he was willing once, there’s little doubt “Smooth” would still be game to try and snap the undefeated record of the highly touted Russian.
While Nurmagomedov has performed brilliantly in his short UFC career, he is still missing the signature win from his resume that someone like Henderson could provide. Moreover, there may be some hostility on Nurmagomedov’s end after seeing Henderson submit his countryman in Khabilov.
It’s not often a former champion and top fighter is willing to take on opponents well below him in the rankings, but Henderson is the exception. If he’s happy to fill that role, there’s no reason not to give someone like Nurmagomedov a chance to take advantage for what would be a career-changing win.
For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 42, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.
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