TUF 21 Results: Matches to Make for the Winners and Losers

Following UFC 189, The Ultimate Fighter 21 finale had almost no chance to impress. However, the event did produce some entertaining finishes for the few who likely tuned in.

In the main event, Stephen Thompson emerged as a welterweight contender by stopping Jake Ellenberger late in the opening round. Hurt early on, Thompson also showed some grit and the ability to rebound when faced with adversity.

Representing Blackzilians, Kamaru Usman submitted Hayder Hassan to win The Ultimate Fighter 21 trophy and a nice chunk of change for his camp. This season of the UFC reality show was underwhelming, but Usman could turn out to be a nice addition to the 170-pound division.

Additionally, Jorge Masvidal picked up a big win on the main card. Returning to the welterweight class, Masvidal appeared to gain some power and knocked out Cezar Ferreira in the first round to send a message to all the 170-pounders on the UFC roster.

With another UFC event in the books, here is a look at who should be next for Thompson, Usman, Masvidal and the rest of the TUF 21 finale competitors.

Prelim Fighters

Alex Trautwig/Getty Images

Prelim Winners

Fighter	Matchup
Josh Samman	Elias Theodorou
Jerrod Sanders	Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Matt Hobar winner
Trevor Smith	Antonio Carlos Jr.
George Sullivan	Lance Benoist
Willie Gates	Ryan Benoit

Prelim Losers

Fighter	Matchup
Caio Magalhaes	Derek Brunson vs. Sam Alvey loser
Russell Doane	Yves Jabouin vs. Felipe Arantes loser
Dan Miller	None (Release)
Dominic Waters	Andreas Stahl
Darrell Montague	None (Release)

Mike De La Torre

UFC.com

Matchup: Thiago Tavares

On the heels of his first UFC win, Mike De La Torre was looking to start a climb up the featherweight ladder against Maximo Blanco over this past weekend.

Instead, De La Torre suffered a deflating and controversial loss to his Venezuelan opponent. Only 16 seconds into his bout with Blanco, De La Torre was dropped with a right hand. Referee Yves Lavigne stepped in immediately and, perhaps, a bit too quickly.

"

Mike De La Torre was hurt, but he was also going for a takedown when Yves Lavigne stopped the fight. That was too early... rematch?

— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) July 13, 2015"

Now, De La Torre is likely to be matched up with an adversary who is also coming off of a loss. Since both fighters have been stopped by Brian Ortega recently, although De La Torre's submission loss was overturned, it might make sense for El Cucuy to be matched up with Thiago Tavares.

Maximo Blanco

UFC.com

Matchup: Chas Skelly

Around this time in 2014, Maximo Blanco needed a win over Andy Ogle to keep his career going.

Fast-forward 13 months, and Blanco has now recorded three straight victories. His knockout win over De La Torre may have come a bit too quickly, but Blanco was definitely out to a great start and may have put his opponent away seconds later anyway.

"

Yep that's an early stoppage. Yves Lavigne too quick on the draw there, either way it's a KO win for Maximo Blanco over Mike De La Torre.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 13, 2015"

Looking better than he ever has, Blanco should see a step up in competition, but he's not likely to get a ranked opponent since he missed weight. Having also won three straight, Chas Skelly would make a lot of sense as an opponent for Blanco's next outing.

Angela Magana

UFC.com

Matchup: None (Release)

Following a loss to Tecia Torres in her official UFC debut, Angela Magana was given another tough matchup opposite former Invicta FC champion Michelle Waterson.

As most anticipated, Waterson dominated, landing over 100 strikes as Magana answered with only 19 strikes. Now 0-2 inside the Octagon, Magana's UFC career is in serious question.

"

I hope Angela Magana is able to return to her day job--insulting peasants on Twitter. #TUF21Finale

— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) July 13, 2015"

It seems harsh to release Magana following a loss to an opponent like Waterson. However, Magana has now lost four in a row, and it would be five in a row if her TUF bout with Aisling Daly were to be counted.

Magana might benefit from some time with Invicta FC, where should could work her way back onto the UFC roster with a few strong performances.

Michelle Waterson

UFC.com

Matchup: Bec Rawlings

Michelle Waterson was a UFC newcomer this past weekend, but she was among the best in the world at 105 pounds prior to joining the UFC roster.

After taking the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship with a win over Jessica Penne, Waterson also defended her belt against Yasuko Tamada. However, a loss to Herica Tiburcio freed Waterson up to make a move to the big show, where she impressed by submitting Magana.

"

Great UFC debut for @karatehottiemma! One of the nicest and most respected fighters out of @JacksonWinkMMA. Big star potential.

— Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) July 13, 2015"

Undersized at 115 pounds, Waterson could use some time to grow into her new division. It might make sense to bring her along a bit slowly with a matchup against Bec Rawlings, who is also coming off of a submission victory.

Cezar Ferreira

UFC.com

Matchup: TJ Waldburger

Following a knockout loss to Sam Alvey at middleweight, Cezar Ferreira's move to the 170-pound division did not help his striking.

Although Ferreira had a size advantage over Jorge Masvidal, he was not able to get his hands on the former lightweight contender. The Brazilian was not even able to make it out of the first round, as he was knocked out by Masvidal in his welterweight debut.

"

Welterweight @CezarMutante ready to take the Octagon! #TUFFinale LIVE on @FOXSports1 pic.twitter.com/kDB6P6jejb

— UFC (@ufc) July 13, 2015"

With two straight losses, Ferreira will now likely need a win to keep his UFC career going. A bout with grappler TJ Waldburger, who has also dropped two in a row, could be interesting.

Jorge Masvidal

UFC.com

Matchup: Alex Garcia

Some questioned Masvidal's decision to move back to 170 pounds because he would be giving up size to opponents like Ferreira. However, Masvidal showed that wouldn't be too much of a problem when he stopped Mutante in the opening round.

A contender in the lightweight class, Masvidal certainly has the skill to make a run in the welterweight division. He will have to prove himself against a better wrestler at some point, though.

"

Jorge Masvidal gets big win in his UFC welterweight debut vs Cezar Ferreira at the #TUFFinale http://t.co/KOmsT70Z0J pic.twitter.com/Vs6h5maBZf

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 13, 2015"

While Ferreira has the potential to become a contender at 170 pounds, I'd like to see him pick up one more win in his new weight class before being thrown at a ranked opponent. A bout with Alex Garcia, who is coming off of a win over Mike Swick, would produce some entertaining striking.

Vicente Luque

UFC.com

Matchup: None (Release)

Despite losing to Hayder Hassan on TUF 21, Vicente Luque was chosen to compete at the finale, giving him a chance to earn his way onto the UFC roster.

Giving up seven takedowns in the most important bout of his career, Luque clearly has some work to do before he's ready to compete at the highest level.

At 23 years old, there is still time for Luque to develop into a fighter who belongs on the UFC roster. He might be better off making those adjustments in smaller shows for now, though.

Michael Graves

UFC.com

Matchup: Roger Zapata

He lost to Kamaru Usman during TUF 21, but Graves was given an opportunity to compete against Luque at the finale and made the most of it.

With seven takedowns, Graves cruised to a decision win over Luque on all three scorecards. By recording that victory, Graves probably secured a spot on the UFC roster for at least a few more appearances.

In May, Roger Zapata was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Li Jingliang. Assuming he's retained by the UFC for a later showing, he'd be a good opponent for Graves.

Hayder Hassan

UFC.com

Matchup: Igor Araujo

Undefeated in three bouts on TUF 21 shows, Hassan was American Top Team's most successful fighter.

As such, he competed against Kamaru Usman for the TUF 21 trophy this past Sunday. However, things did not go as well for Hassan at the finale, where he was submitted by Usman in the second round.

"

Head high @HayderHassan you pulled the show through for us thank you so much buddy!

— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) July 13, 2015"

Despite the loss, I'm guessing Hassan has earned another chance to pick up an official UFC win. If so, he could meet Igor Araujo, who just lost his second in a row at UFC Fight Night 71.

Kamaru Usman

UFC.com

Matchup: Hector Urbina

With wins over Michael Graves and Steve Carl during TUF 21, Usman was the standout fighter from Blackzilians.

In beating Hassan at the finale, Usman earned a cash reward and the TUF 21 trophy for his team. However, he now faces a long, uphill climb in the tough welterweight division.

"

Kamaru Usman wins TUF Finale over Hayder Hassan by second-round submission http://t.co/XS8DGIhlye pic.twitter.com/wa2vqK1Xb0

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 13, 2015"

Don't expect Usman to get a big name right out of the gates. Instead, I'd expect him to be matched up with Hector Urbina, who is also coming off of a submission win in his UFC debut.

Jake Ellenberger

UFC.com

Matchup: Ryan LaFlare

In his last appearance, Jake Ellenberger bounced back into the win column by stopping Josh Koscheck.

However, this past Sunday, Ellenberger was knocked out by Stephen Thompson and is slowly fading out of title contention. With losses in four of his past five outings, it is beginning to seem as though Ellenberger might be declining early at 30 years old.

"

@EllenbergerMMA thank you my friend.. Was an honor to step in the cage with such a good fighter and good guy

— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) July 14, 2015"

At this point in his career, Ellenberger could be best used as a gatekeeper. So, it might make sense to have him meet fringe contender Ryan LaFlare next.

Stephen Thompson

UFC.com

Matchup: Gunnar Nelson

With five straight wins, Stephen Thompson has emerged as a contender in the 170-pound division.

Many figured Wonderboy's striking would eventually take him to the highest levels, but his defensive wrestling has also come along nicely. That has allowed him to work his striking against opponents like Ellenberger, who he kept on the outside and put away with kicks.

"

HIGHLIGHTS: Stephen Thompson KO's Jake Ellenberger with insane spinning hook kick https://t.co/fzqoiJUl7D pic.twitter.com/6vnMZEaZmI

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 13, 2015"

Having lost to Matt Brown before beginning his current run, Thompson still has some work to do to reach the front of the line of contenders battling for a title shot. His next step in that direction could come against Gunnar Nelson, who is coming off of a win over Brandon Thatch.

Statistics via UFC.com.