UFC 142 Fight Card: Predictions for the Winners and Losers

UFC 142 was a thrilling event from start to finish. All five main pay-per-view fights ended via stoppage, and the free preliminary action on both Facebook and FX saw several notable finishes as well as a few hard-hitting three-round wars.

Now, once again, it’s time to ask: What’s next? What does the future hold after the UFC’s Brazilian fighters once again reigned supreme in their home country? Here’s my answer to just that: a new edition of my “What’s Next for the Winners and Losers” series of articles, now featuring UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes.

Next for Edson Barboza: The one lightweight that stands out in my mind right now is Melvin Guillard. Guillard is once again in a rebuilding phase after recently seeing a great win streak come to a heartbreaking end, and I think you could make a legitimate claim that Barboza has done enough to earn a shot at top-division status. Guillard would play the gatekeeper in this fight, which is a good role for him right now as he attempts to put the pieces back together and make another attempt to get to the title.

Next for Erick Silva/Carlo Prater: Each other, which is why I’m grouping them together. I can’t see the future, only predict it, so I’m unsure if Erick Silva will challenge the ruling of this fight. If he does, it’s likely to get overturned and ruled a “No Contest," so that means this rematch probably wouldn’t happen.

But even if that ends up being the case, I’d still like to see Carlo Prater back in the UFC. I think a rematch would fully vindicate Silva if he won, and if Prater won he’d be able to say that he beat Silva legitimately.

Next for Rousimar Palhares: I think Alan Belcher would be a very interesting opponent for Rousimar Palhares. Belcher is on a three-fight win streak and recently returned to action after an injury that nearly cost him his career.

Palhares, meanwhile, continues to be a perplexing conundrum in the UFC’s middleweight division. Where does Palhares really stand amongst the middleweight elite? I think a fight with Alan Belcher would add a lot of clarity to both fighters’ situations as they continue to navigate the waters between decent and top competition.

Next for Vitor Belfort: As I said before, I think Belfort will fight at least one more time, while the winner of the upcoming Chael Sonnen/Mark Munoz fight fights Anderson Silva for the championship. In terms of opponents, I think any of the following fighters would make a good final test for Vitor Belfort as he readies for his rematch: Rousimar Palhares, Cung Le, Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping, Chris Leben, Yushin Okami and Brian Stann.

Next for Jose Aldo: I’ll be honest, I can’t really think of anyone right now, so I’ll make some general predictions for Aldo’s 2012. First off, I think Aldo is going to start finishing people again now that he’s tasted the thrill of finishing an opponent inside the Octagon. I believe Jose Aldo’s 2012 may just be his best year yet. I believe Jose Aldo has the potential to be the Anderson Silva of his division. After stepping out of the bandwagon for this one fight, my feet are now firmly planted right back in.

Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video game nerd. For more news, views, previews, and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.