UFC Fight Night 62 Results: Matches to Make for the Winners and Losers
At 37 years old, Demian Maia is still in the hunt for a second shot at a UFC championship.
On Saturday, the Brazilian cruised to a victory over the up-and-coming Ryan LaFlare in the UFC Fight Night 62 main event. After nearly 10 months away from competition, the win gave Maia two victories in a row and put him back in the spotlight as a 170-pound contender.
The loss was LaFlare's first in his MMA career. He emerged as a Top 15 welterweight with a 4-0 start inside the Octagon, but LaFlare wasn't quite ready for a grappler like Maia. While his conditioning was superior to Maia's, LaFlare dug himself into a deep hole by allowing too many takedowns early on.
With another UFC event in the books, here is a look at who should be next for Maia, LaFlare and the rest of the UFC Fight Night 62 competitors.
Prelim Fighters
1 of 13
Prelim Winners
| Fighter | Matchup |
| Francisco Trinaldo | Chris Wade |
| Kevin Souza | Godofredo Pepey |
| Leandro Silva | Drew Dober |
| Leonardo Mafra | Islam Makhachev vs. Leo Kuntz Winner |
| Christos Giagos | Efrain Escudero |
| Fredy Serrano | Yao Zhikui vs. Nolan Ticman Winner |
Prelim Losers
| Fighter | Matchup |
| Akbarh Arreola | Justin Salas |
| Katsunori Kikuno | Felipe Arantes |
| Drew Dober | Leandro Silva |
| Cain Carrizosa | None (Release) |
| Jorge de Oliveira | None (Release) |
| Bentley Syler | None (Release) |
Andre Fili
2 of 13
Matchup: Lucas Martins
At 24 years old, Andre Fili is widely considered to be one of the brighter prospects in the 145-pound division. With a win over Felipe Arantes in his previous outing, it looked like the Team Alpha Male product might be ready to take a big step forward Saturday.
However, Fili suffered another setback in his opponent's home country. Facing Brazilian Godofredo Pepey, Fili was caught in a flying triangle early on. After battling against the submission for a while, Fili was eventually forced to tap.
"Everyone who supports me: I'm sorry and I love you.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) March 22, 2015"
Despite the loss, Fili still has great upside and is dangerous against anybody who stands with him. A bout with another up-and-coming striker coming off of a loss, Lucas Martins, would make sense for Fili's next outing.
Godofredo Pepey
3 of 13
Matchup: Kevin Souza
Following opening-round stoppage wins in his prior two appearances, Pepey kept the streak going at UFC Fight Night 62 in Brazil.
With his triangle choke against Fili on Saturday, Pepey extended his winning streak to three bouts and picked up his second UFC submission win. At 27 years old, the TUF: Brazil runner-up appears to be hitting his stride and looks prepared to make a run a featherweight title contention.
"UFC Fight Night 62 results: Godofredo Pepey upsets Andre Fili with first-round triangle http://t.co/IZ0xViebyA pic.twitter.com/37afzOWGOd
— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) March 22, 2015"
A fellow Brazilian, Kevin Souza would provide Pepey with a similar test than Fili did, but he'd bring more momentum in the potential matchup. If Pepey could score another finish and hand Souza a first UFC loss, he'd be deserving of a shot at a Top 15 opponent.
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Alex Oliveira
4 of 13
Matchup: Islam Makhachev vs. Leo Kuntz Loser
Coming into his UFC debut against an undefeated Gilbert Burns, Alex Oliveira was a huge underdog. However, even in a loss, Oliveira showed why he too had been undefeated prior to joining the UFC roster.
Through two rounds, Oliveira was more than keeping up with Burns. An argument could have been made that the newcomer was up on the scorecards. Oliveira spoiled his strong start by getting caught in an armbar with less than one minute remaining in the bout, though.
"Alex Oliveira post: "It was my debut in the UFC; I gave my best. I am really happy to have started in the UFC with a great fight."
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) March 22, 2015"
It was a good learning experience for Oliveira, who should have a bright future ahead. He may get a chance to pick up his first UFC win against the loser of a May bout between fellow UFC debutants Islam Makhachev and Leo Kuntz.
Gilbert Burns
5 of 13
Matchup: Leonardo Santos
Burns was originally booked to meet Josh Thomson at UFC Fight Night 62, so he should probably be thankful that the former Strikeforce champion withdrew due to injury.
As it turned out, Burns had a competitive bout with Oliveira, a UFC newcomer. He remained undefeated by beating the replacement opponent, but Burns clearly wasn't ready for a Top 10 lightweight like Thomson.
"UFC Fight Night 62: Gilbert Burns vs. Alex Oliveira fight video highlights http://t.co/J2g0uDS987 via @MMAjunkie
— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) March 22, 2015"
With a 3-0 UFC record, Burns should see a step up in competition. A matchup with fellow UFC Fight Night 62 winner Leonardo Santos, who is also undefeated inside the Octagon, is a possibility.
Shayna Baszler
6 of 13
Matchup: None (Release)
Shayna Baszler was excellent for a long time, but the UFC introducing a women's bantamweight division came too late into her career.
The Queen of Spades disappointed on TUF 18 and has since gone 0-2 in official UFC bouts, most recently losing to Amanda Nunes this past weekend. With both losses coming via knockout, Baszler looks like a fighter who should either make some adjustments on a smaller show or call it quits.
"Hard to watch the fighters you've enjoyed over the years get old right before your eyes. Much respect to Shayna Baszler for a great career
— Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) March 22, 2015"
At 34 years old, Baszler could hang up her gloves. However, I think she might head back to Invicta FC and attempt to pick up a couple wins there to earn another shot inside the Octagon.
Amanda Nunes
7 of 13
Matchup: Julianna Pena vs. Milana Dudieva Winner
Since joining the UFC roster, Nunes has only lost to Cat Zingano in four appearances.
On Saturday, Nunes steamrolled Baszler, a staple in the women's bantamweight division for years. I don't think anybody will be picking her to dethrone Rousey, but Nunes could get a chance to with a couple more wins in the shallow 135-pound class.
"UFC Fight Night 62 results: Amanda Nunes tears through Shayna Baszler for TKO http://t.co/9lMIR8gOZ4 pic.twitter.com/v9FARCedPf
— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) March 22, 2015"
Should TUF 18 winner Julianna Pena beat Milana Dudieva in April, she'll probably be pushed upward rather quickly. A bout between The Venezuelan Vixen and Nunes could turn the winner into a serious contender in the bantamweight division. Meanwhile, a bout between Nunes and Dudieva would complete an Invicta FC booking that ended up falling through.
Tony Martin
8 of 13
Matchup: Michel Prazeres
Tony Martin has shown a lot of promise at times, but he suffered another defeat Saturday.
At UFC Fight Night 62, Martin started out well, winning the opening round of his bout with Leonardo Santos. However, after being taken down early in the second stanza, Martin was submitted. The loss leaves Martin with an underwhelming 1-3 UFC record.
"Pretty crazy fact. Tony Martin has won the first round of all three of his UFC losses (Rashid Magomedov, Beneil Dariush, Leonardo Santos)
— Brian Hemminger (@BrianHemminger) March 22, 2015"
He's not quite in danger of losing his UFC roster spot, but Martin needs to turn things around or he could be soon. A bout with Michel Prazeres could be next and would provide Martin with another test on the ground.
Leonardo Santos
9 of 13
Matchup: Gilbert Burns
With his win over Martin at UFC Fight Night 62, Santos is now unbeaten in four UFC appearances.
At 35 years old, the time is now for him to make a run at lightweight title contention. However, he still has some climbing to do on the 155-pound ladder.
"Santos gets the 9th submission win of his career at #UFCRio http://t.co/9navwb6R3x pic.twitter.com/tbOJqCbJGW
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 22, 2015"
Gilbert Burns wouldn't be a huge step up in competition, but he's got a 3-0 UFC record and should be ready to go again soon. If Santos makes a quick turnaround and beats Burns impressively, he could get a shot at a ranked opponent by the end of 2015.
Josh Koscheck
10 of 13
Matchup: None (Retirement)
When Josh Koscheck lost to Jake Ellenberger in February, it seemed his UFC career had come to an end. The veteran had lost four in a row at 37 years old and had nothing left to prove in MMA.
Still, he took a bout with Erick Silva on short notice in an attempt to turn things around. On Saturday, Koscheck was submitted by Silva, leaving him with five straight losses.
"Koscheck won't say retirement, but White will 'try to push him' that way (@marc_raimondi) http://t.co/uyovLNcbEp pic.twitter.com/99DkJyllER
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) March 22, 2015"
Although Koscheck doesn't appear completely ready to call it quits, the time has come for him to start a new chapter. He's done everything except win a UFC belt, and it's clear that's not going to happen at this stage in his career. Koscheck should retire before putting himself through more punishment.
Erick Silva
11 of 13
Matchup: Rick Story
Silva has been highly regarded since joining the UFC roster in 2011, but he hadn't won consecutive bouts inside the Octagon prior to this past weekend.
Paired with a fading Koscheck, Silva had an opportunity to change that and did so with a submission in the opening round. At 30 years old, Silva is hitting his prime and may now be ready to reach the lofty potential many thought he had.
"And that makes 11 first round finishes for @ErickSilvaMMA! #UFCRio "The most dangerous first round fighter in the UFC" - @Jon_Anik
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) March 22, 2015"
Rick Story has also had his ups and downs despite being a competitor many believed could be a contender early on in his career. Now ranked among the Top 15 welterweights, Story would be a good test for Silva.
Ryan LaFlare
12 of 13
Matchup: Gunnar Nelson
LaFlare entered UFC Fight Night 62 with a spotless record, but the up-and-comer was about to meet his toughest test.
Unable to stop Maia's takedowns, LaFlare had to roll with one of the most talented grapplers in MMA on Saturday. He was able to survive five rounds, but LaFlare clearly lost on the scorecards even with Maia being docked a point.
Coming off of his first loss against Rick Story, Gunnar Nelson is in a similar position. A bout between LaFlare and Nelson would ensure one talented fringe contender gets back on track quickly.
Demian Maia
13 of 13
Matchup: Jake Ellenberger
Nearly 10 months since his last bout, Maia returned to the Octagon and didn't show signs of rust until the fifth round.
The Brazilian took LaFlare down repeatedly and controlled his opponent on the ground. While Maia was gassed in the fifth stanza, he did enough early on to be able to coast to victory.
Maia is again ready to compete with elite welterweights. It would be interesting to see him paired with Jake Ellenberger, a solid wrestler who might be able to force the jiu-jitsu ace to stand.
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