Matches to Make for Winners and Losers of FN63
It's not the title he wants, but Chad Mendes is coming closer and closer to proving he's the best nonchampion on the UFC roster.
At UFC Fight Night 63, Mendes made quick work of former featherweight title challenger Ricardo Lamas. It took Mendes less than three minutes to stop the No. 4 featherweight, and the bout could have been stopped sooner by referee Dan Miragliotta.
Having only lost to 145-pound champion Jose Aldo, Mendes has solidified himself as the second-best featherweight in the world. He'll now have to root for Conor McGregor to dethrone Aldo in July, which would expedite Mendes' next title shot.
With another UFC event in the books, here are the bouts that should be next for Mendes, Lamas and the rest of the UFC Fight Night 63 competitors.
Prelim Fighters
1 of 13
Prelim Winners
| Fighter | Matchup |
| Liz Carmouche | Marion Reneau |
| Alexander Yakovlev | Norman Parke vs. Gilbert Burns Winner |
| Timothy Johnson | Anthony Hamilton vs. Daniel Omielanczuk Winner |
| Ron Stallings | Eddie Gordon vs. Chris Dempsey Winner |
Prelim Losers
| Fighter | Matchup |
| Lauren Murphy | Ashlee Evans-Smith |
| Gray Maynard | None (Retire) |
| Shamil Abdurakhimov | Jared Cannonier |
| Justin Jones | Eddie Gordon vs. Chris Dempsey Loser |
Diego Ferreira
2 of 13
Matchup: Danny Castillo
With wins over Colton Smith and Ramsey Nijem in his first two walks to the Octagon, Diego Ferreira looked to be on his way to big things. However, the Brazilian has now lost two in a row.
In October, Ferreira was beaten by Beneil Dariush. Then, on Saturday, Ferreira was knocked out by former featherweight contender Dustin Poirier, who was making his UFC lightweight debut.
"UFC Fight Night 63 results: Dustin Poirier smashes Diego Ferreira in 155 return http://t.co/TZXq6MlUAv via @MMAjunkie
— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) April 4, 2015"
Having lost two in a row, Ferreira's UFC roster spot could be on the line in his next outing. It would make sense to match him up with another notable lightweight who has been struggling.
A bout between Ferreira and Danny Castillo would ensure one solid 155-pounder gets back on track, and the other will have a chance to prove he can still hang with proven UFC lightweights.
Dustin Poirier
3 of 13
Matchup: Diego Sanchez
Given that he had climbed so far up the 145-pound ladder, Poirier's decision to return to the lightweight division was surprising even though he did lose to McGregor in his previous outing.
That said, The Diamond took a big step toward proving he made the right call Saturday. Poirier mixed it up with Ferreira on the ground and standing before finishing his opponent with strikes during the opening round.
"Welcome back to 155, Dustin Poirier. He looked fast and powerful. Nasty finish. Great way to return. #UFCFairfax
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) April 4, 2015"
He's a proven contender and one of the more entertaining fighters around, so Poirier should see a big name coming his way for his next bout. If Diego Sanchez's recovery from a broken collarbone is on track, he'd be an entertaining adversary for Poirier at a June 6 event in New Orleans.
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Robbie Peralta
4 of 13
Matchup: Taylor Lapilus vs. Rocky Lee Loser
Robbie Peralta got his UFC career started with a solid 4-1 record, but he's been matched up with tougher opposition in his past two outings and has not delivered the same results.
In August, Peralta was taken down and submitted by Thiago Tavares in the opening round. Then, after nine months away from competition, Peralta was dominated Saturday by Clay Guida.
"UFC Fight Night 63 results: Clay Guida tops Robbie Peralta in vintage form http://t.co/c7dfxhAldu via @mmajunkie pic.twitter.com/SEAF8V3b9h
— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) April 4, 2015"
While Peralta still has his prime years ahead, he needs to take a big step down in competition to avoid a third consecutive loss. The UFC should consider matching him up with the loser of an April 11 bout between UFC newcomers Taylor Lapilus and Rocky Lee.
Clay Guida
5 of 13
Matchup: Hacran Dias
Following a loss to Dennis Bermudez in July, Guida needed a win at UFC Fight Night 63 in order to remain a legitimate contender in the featherweight division.
The Carpenter came through with a solid showing against Peralta. With six takedowns, Guida cruised to a unanimous-decision victory and returned to the win column.
"Nothing like a @ClayGuida entrance #UFCFairfax https://t.co/13ALfhr4H2
— UFC (@ufc) April 4, 2015"
Now back on track, Guida should return to ranked competition. A bout with No. 15 Hacran Dias should result in some more competitive grappling.
Milana Dudieva
6 of 13
Matchup: Jessamyn Duke
After edging Elizabeth Phillips in her UFC debut, Milana Dudieva was tasked with testing The Ultimate Fighter winner Julianna Pena at UFC Fight Night 63.
Dudieva's sophomore showing did not go well. The Russian was taken down early and could not stop Pena's ground-and-pound, resulting in a stoppage less than four minutes into the bout.
"@VenezuelanVixen Congratulate. Today you was better.
— Milana Dudieva (@DudievaMilana) April 4, 2015"
Clearly not ready to beat the TUF 18 women's bantamweight winner, Dudieva will need to take a step down in competition. A bout with struggling TUF 18 contestant Jessamyn Duke is a possibility.
Julianna Pena
7 of 13
Matchup: Amanda Nunes
Pena won TUF 18 in November 2013, but her momentum was destroyed by a devastating injury that held her away from the Octagon until this past Saturday.
Making up for lost time, Pena didn't show a bit of rust against Dudieva. Without absorbing a single significant strike, Pena took her opponent down and finished the fight with strikes in the opening round.
"We got the W! @torque1net @drinkfulhum https://t.co/k8t1fzT2ov pic.twitter.com/1c6994S5TF
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) April 5, 2015"
The women's bantamweight division is getting desperate for real title threats. Pena might not be that, but the UFC is going to attempt to make her such because she is a TUF winner. A bout with Amanda Nunes would show whether or not Pena is ready to make a run at the belt right now.
Mitch Clarke
8 of 13
Matchup: Efrain Escudero vs. Drew Dober Loser
Coming off of a win over Al Iaquinta, Mitch Clarke saw his momentum dissipate with an 11-month hiatus.
Facing Michael Chiesa, Clarke surrendered four takedowns and wasn't able to record one of his own on four attempts. Although grappling is his strength, Clarke was controlled on the ground and came out on the wrong side of a decision.
"Well my face, my hands , my hamstring and my heart hurt....time for fast food and some Canadian Whiskey
— Mitch Clarke (@MitchClarkeMMA) April 4, 2015"
Clarke will now see a step down in competition, but don't be surprised if he ends up back on a UFC main card soon. The Canadian might have a chance to get back on track against the loser of a June bout between Efrain Escudero and Drew Dober.
Michael Chiesa
9 of 13
Matchup: Leonardo Santos
At UFC Fight Night 50, Chiesa had a winning streak stopped by an unfortunate doctor's stoppage in a Fight of the Night performance against Joe Lauzon.
On Saturday, the TUF 15 winner returned to the win column against Clarke. With three wins in his past four outings, Chiesa is climbing the lightweight ladder and could get a shot at a 155-pound contender soon. He'll likely need a couple more wins, though.
"UFC Fight Night 63: Michael Chiesa vs. Mitch Clarke fight video highlights http://t.co/qv8oe77O9E via @MMAjunkie
— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) April 5, 2015"
Unbeaten inside the Octagon and excellent on the ground, Leonardo Santos would be a good test for Chiesa. The winner of a potential bout between the two could set the winner up for a clash with a lightweight just outside the Top 15 rankings.
Jorge Masvidal
10 of 13
Matchup: Abel Trujillo
Following three straight wins, Jorge Masvidal returned to ranked lightweight competition at UFC Fight Night 63.
Although it looked like Masvidal would extend his winning streak to four bouts, two judges sided with Iaquinta in a controversial decision. Having landed 31 more strikes than Iaquinta, Masvidal was visibly upset with the call and stormed out of the Octagon.
"UFC Fight Night Fairfax recap: Iaqunita beats Masvidal by split-decision. http://t.co/0slj2Ibk03 pic.twitter.com/lePWdC6CMw
— Roy Billington (@RoyBillington) April 6, 2015"
Considering how close the contest was, Masvidal shouldn't see a big step down in opposition. Instead, a striking match with slugger Abel Trujillo would give him a chance to get back on track in what would surely be an entertaining bout.
Al Iaquinta
11 of 13
Matchup: Adriano Martins
Iaquinta came into UFC Fight Night 63 with three straight knockouts and was on a warpath toward the top of the lightweight division.
While he made it four wins in a row Saturday, Iaquinta's win was more a speed bump than a step forward. The Serra-Longo Fight Team member landed fewer strikes than his opponent and came up empty on nine takedown attempts, so it was surprising to see the judges award him the win.
"Al said 'F-you' to fans, Saturday. Here's why we agree: http://t.co/ht8A72UyUj pic.twitter.com/lki81Gr6hv
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) April 4, 2015"
That said, Iaquinta was the more active fighter and let the fans in Fairfax, Virginia, know it when they booed the decision. Because many believed he didn't deserve the win, it's unlikely Iaquinta will move up the lightweight ladder much.
Instead, Iaquinta could meet Adriano Martins in another bout that would give him a chance to prove he's ready to graduate to competing against Top 10 lightweights.
Ricardo Lamas
12 of 13
Matchup: Nik Lentz vs. Charles Oliveira Loser
Lamas rebounded well from his February 2014 loss to Jose Aldo, as he defeated Dennis Bermudez and Hacran Dias in back-to-back outings.
A bout with Mendes gave Lamas an opportunity to show he might be ready for another crack at the 145-pound championship. However, The Bully wasn't able to last three minutes inside the Octagon with Mendes, who showcased his punching power Saturday.
"@chadmendes congrats on the great performance yesterday, I hope your hand hurts as much as my head does. #ouch 😲
— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) April 5, 2015"
While Lamas has proven he's among the best in the featherweight division, his next bout should be against somebody outside the Top Five so he has a chance to recover and get back on track. A meeting with the loser of a May bout between Nik Lentz and Charles Oliveira seems logical.
Chad Mendes
13 of 13
Matchup: Frankie Edgar vs. Urijah Faber Winner
Mendes continues to make it look easy against pretty much anybody not named Aldo.
At UFC Fight Night 63, the Team Alpha Male standout ran through the No. 4 featherweight in an opening-round knockout win. Considering he had such a close fight with Aldo in October, Mendes is ready for another title shot, and I don't think many would be up in arms if he got it.
"Chad "Money" Mendes got the quick finish at #UFCFairfax! Who's next? @ChadMendes #UFCHotSeat pic.twitter.com/XbvEo6dkLf
— UFC (@ufc) April 5, 2015"
That said, Frankie Edgar has also been on a tear and is also seeking a rematch with Aldo. Should The Answer beat Mendes teammate Urijah Faber in May, he'd be more than deserving of a title shot as well.
Unless McGregor beats Aldo in July, Mendes and Edgar are in a battle to be considered the second-best 145-pounder in the world. Why not take that battle inside the Octagon to determine who should be next for the winner of that title fight between Aldo and McGregor?
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