UFC 186 Results: Burning Questions Heading into Fight Night 65

UFC 186 is in the books. The results are as follows:

UFC 186 Main Card

• Demetrious Johnson def. Kyoji Horiguchi, submission (Round 5, 4:59)
• Quinton Jackson def. Fabio Maldonado, unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Michael Bisping def. C.B. Dollaway, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• John Makdessi def. Shane Campbell, TKO (Round 1, 4:53)
• Thomas Almeida def. Yves Jabouin, TKO (Round 1, 4:18)

Prelims on Fox Sports 1

• Patrick Cote def. Joe Riggs, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Alexis Davis def. Sarah Kaufman, submission (Round 2, 1:52)
• Chad Laprise def. Bryan Barberena, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. David Michaud, submission (Round 3, 3:24)

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass

• Nordine Taleb def. Chris Clements, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Valerie Letourneau def. Jessica Rakoczy, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Randa Markos def. Aisling Daly, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Next up? UFC Fight Night 65 on May 10.

The UFC returns to Australia with an event packed with regional talents. It's a relatively hollow card for most viewers, but the main event—a heavyweight tilt between Mark Hunt and Stipe Miocic—holds appeal for any and all MMA fans.

What other fights are worth tuning in for? What short- and long-term ramifications might this card hold? Find out here!

Which Ladies Are Going to Invicta?

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Fights: Bec Rawlings vs. Lisa Ellis, Alex Chambers vs. Kailin Curran
The Real Fights: UFC Fighters vs. Not Being in the UFC

The Stakes

It's a brand new division, and it's almost time for the first wave of cuts. Four strawweights with 0-1 UFC records will fight at Fight Night 65 with two UFC roster spots on the line. "Rowdy" Bec Rawlings faces Lisa Ellis, while Kailin Curran faces Alex Chambers. The losers will likely receive a pink slip and a ticket to Invicta.

The Question

Which ladies are going to Invicta?

Analysis

We saw similar fights shortly after the start of both the women's bantamweight and men's flyweight divisions, and, indeed, the first fighters to hit 0-2 are traditionally the first fighters to get cut. It was true for Sheila Gaff. It was true for Yasuhiro Urushitani. It will likely be true for these ladies here.

Granted, it's possible Chambers and Rawlings will get another chance here. The UFC needs Australian bodies right now, regardless of whether are particularly great at MMA. Either way, the strawweight division will likely shrink after this event.

Could This Be the End of Hatsu Hioki?

Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

The Fight: Hatsu Hioki vs. Dan Hooker
The Real Fight: Hatsu Hioki vs. The Headsman's Axe

The Stakes

Times are tough for Hatsu Hioki. While the Japanese grappler was once regarded as one of the best featherweights in MMA, he has been swallowed up by the wave of new talent that has entered the division over the last two years. Now 1-4 over his last five, it feels like he'll be booted if he takes another loss.

The Question

Could this be the end of Hatsu Hioki?

Analysis

Time has not been kind to Hioki—not necessarily in a "the years caught up with him" way but more so in a "he has been exposed as a not-particularly-great fighter" way. While he remains a threat on the ground, featherweight is such a deep division that it's hard to buy into him as a top-20 or even a top-30 fighter. While his losses have all come from formidable competition, if he ends up taking an "L" from the completely unknown Dan Hooker, it will likely show that he isn't up to snuff with UFC competition these days.

Which Lightweight Prospect Will Remain Undefeated?

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Fight: Jake Matthews vs. James Vick
The Real Fight: Undefeated Prospect vs. Undefeated Prospect

The Stakes

Undefeated (on their official records, at least) The Ultimate Fighter alumni Jake Matthews and James Vick kick off the main card. 

The Question

Which lightweight prospect will remain undefeated?

Analysis

It's hard to label any given fight in the lightweight division "important" if it involves two fighters outside the top 20. That just comes with the territory when you have a division as talent-rich as 155 pounds is. Still, this is a bout worth watching.

Matthews has posted impressive submission wins in his two UFC fights so far. Vick was forgotten after The Ultimate Fighter Season 15, but he has beaten deceptively solid competition. One or both could end up becoming players at lightweight, so if you're the type who likes to brag about being a fan of fighters before they were famous, make sure to tune in here.

Which Middleweight Will Begin Climbing Back to Relevance?

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Fight: Brad Tavares vs. Robert Whittaker
The Real Fight: Solid Middleweight vs. Solid Middleweight

The Stakes

Brad Tavares and Robert Whittaker are solid middleweights who have posted some solid wins against solid competition. Now they will face off against each other, with the title of "more solid" on the line. This bout is an interesting contrast of styles that could potentially open the door to the top 10 for the winner.

The Question

Which middleweight will begin climbing back to relevance?

Analysis

Tavares is a prototypical grinder who scores points with strong clinch work and takedowns. Whittaker is a formidable striker, with a big right hand that has claimed a number of victims. Both men have the tools to compete with upper-tier middleweights...but unfortunately, only one man will get the opportunity.

This is a deceptively important match for the middleweight division and could be the beginning of a big run for either man.

Is Stipe Miocic Ready for the Big Time?

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Fight: Mark Hunt vs. Stipe Miocic
The Real Fight: Stipe Miocic vs. The Hump

The Stakes

Stipe Miocic may or may not have been robbed at pen-point by the judges at UFC on Fox 13 when he came up on the wrong side of a controversial decision against Junior dos Santos. That said, he also didn't quite put in an all-around excellent performance, tiring down the stretch and failing to mount serious, sustained offense. Against Mark Hunt, who is probably the single hardest hitter in MMA, that is a losing formula. If Miocic can't post a win over The Super Samoan, it will set him back in a big way.

The Question

Is Stipe Miocic ready for the big time?

Analysis

Miocic is one of the most underrated fighters in MMA today. With achievements in NCAA Division I wrestling and amateur boxing and a rare level of athleticism, he is one of the best on-paper heavyweights in MMA. Fans haven't caught on to him quite yet, but few fighters can match his resume.

That said, while there is no brushing off putting in five strong rounds against Dos Santos, Hunt is a particularly tough stylistic matchup for Miocic. If he can pull off the win, it will open the door to title contention for him. If he can't, it will put him in an awkward position from a rankings perspective.