UFC 134 Recap and What's Next for Each Main Card Fighter

UFC 134 has come to a close and there is many questions for each of the fighters, win or lose. The very successful UFC  was one of the most exciting main cards I can think of, which makes the results that much intriguing.I am also going to include what match-ups look the best for each fighter as they look to continue their careers.  

Luiz Cane vs. Stanislav Nedkov

Results: Luiz Cane came out with some impressive boxing as he continued with great combinations against Stanislav Nedkov, who was making his UFC debut. Nedkov looked very uncomfortable in his stand-up but kept getting more confident as the fight went on. Eventually Nedkov landed a big combination followed up by some fight stopping ground-and-pound.

Luiz Cane: After starting his career off at 10-1, he has loss three out of four fights, all of which have come by way of TKO. So it is obvious that he has a week chin. I suspect that the UFC management will only give him one more shot before they cut him. I would like to see him fight another up-and-coming fighter, but I wouldn't be surprised if the UFC cut him

Stanislav Nedkov: The newcomer definitely made a statement in his first fight by knocking out a veteran opponent. Even though the timing might be a tad off I think he should be tested right away an should get either Vladimir Matyushenko or Alexander Gustafsson.

Brendan Schaub vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

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Results: In probably the most shocking turn of events of the night the Pride legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, knocked out the fast rising prospect, Brendan Schaub. I personally had thought that this fight had been practically given to Schaub to beef up his resume, but the 41 fight veteran surprised us all with a one-two combination that knocked Schaub out.

Brendan Schaub: It seemed Schaub was on the fast track to a title shot but now it is difficult to say where this puts him in the heavyweight scene. I could see a rematch with Roy Nelson if he wins but I don't think he deserves a rematch because of the outcome of the first fight.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: It looked as though his career might be over after being brutally knocked out twice in his last three fights but new life has been breathed into Nogeuira. I think Brock Lesnar is the only reasonable opponent with the rest of the heavyweights either being booked or an opponent he has already lost to (Mir). 

Edson Barboza vs. Ross Pearson

Results: In the fight of the night, Edson Barboza beat Ross Pearson by split-decision. Barboza used creative striking and takedown defense to edge out a win against the former TUF winner Pearson. Barboza even dropped Pearson in the second round.

Edson Barboza: Barboza was very impressive in this win and I didn't think that the judging should have been that close, but I would like to see him fight the winner of Donald Cerrone vs. Dennis Siver, although he might be too young in his career for that.

Ross Pearson: Pearson fought a good fight and even threw in a couple of takedowns to mix things up. Even though he lost, it was a good fight, so I don't expect Joe Silva to give him someone easy in his next fight.

Mauricio Rua vs. Forrest Griffin

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Results: In the co-main event of the evening Mauricio Rua completely dominated Forrest Griffin, with an eventual knockout. Griffin looked out of it from the start with Rua throwing power from the beginning. When he landed on a huge right hand and followed up with some brutal hammer fists, the fight was quickly stopped.

Mauricio Rua: Rua proved that he still has gas left in him despite being brutalized in his last fight against Jon Jones, but he is healthy and could definitely challenge for the title once, again. A fight with Phil Davis seems the most likely with the winner having a good possibility of getting a title shot.

Forrest Griffin: Griffin has proved once again that he is not a top light heavyweight. I think he has only a couple of fights left in him, which means he should get the most out of those fights. That's why I think he should finish his trilogy with Tito Ortiz.  

Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami

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Results: Anderson Silva has once again proved why he is the best fighter of all time. The first round had very little action but at the end of it Silva landed a huge head kick on Okami. This changed the entire tone of the fight because in the second round Silva came out of his shell.

Usually when you hear a fighter has started to drop his hands that means he is tired but for Silva it is an offensive move. He dropped his hands then picked Okami apart with slick head movement, jabs and straights. All those eventually culminated in Okami laying on the ground and Silva retaining the Middleweight title.

Anderson Silva: He has completely cleared out the middleweight division, the fight fans have been dying for might actually happen now if George St. Pierre can get past Nick Diaz at UFC 137. If that fight doesn't happen then Chael Sonnen would be the most logical if he beats Brian Stann.

Yushin Okami: There really isn't much Okami could do to get another title shot while Silva is champion so it looks like he will be forever labeled a gatekeeper. 

Conclusion

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With UFC 134 done, get ready for Fight Night 25, with a great fight in Jake Shields vs. Jake Ellenberger.

Feel free to comment on here if you disagree with any of my views.

 

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