UFC on Fox 16 Results: Matches to Make for the Winners and Losers
With another dominant win over Renan Barao, T.J. Dillashaw dispelled all thought that he was not the best bantamweight in the world.
Dillashaw dethroned Barao in a May 2014 upset, but many believed the Brazilian was not at his best on that night. In stopping Barao during the fourth round at UFC on Fox 16, Dillashaw proved that was not the case and that he is just that much better than the former 135-pound champion.
Having looked so good against Barao in two of his past three outings, Dillashaw appears to have the potential to hold onto his UFC championship for a long time. However, new contenders are certainly going to pop up and Dominick Cruz looms should he ever find a way to remain healthy.
Anyways, here are the bouts that should be next for Dillashaw, Barao and the rest of the UFC on Fox 16 competitors.
Prelim Fighters
1 of 9
Prelim Winners
| Fighter | Matchup |
| Tom Lawlor | Nikita Krylov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima Winner |
| Jim Miller | Alexander Yakovlev |
| Ben Saunders | Nordine Taleb vs. Warlley Alves Winner |
| Bryan Caraway | Iuri Alcantara vs. Leandro Issa Winner |
| James Krause | Joe Lauzon |
| Andrew Holbrook | Anthony Christodoulou vs. Scott Holtzman Winner |
| Elizabeth Phillips | Liz Carmouche |
| Zak Cummings | Sean Pierson |
Prelim Losers
| Fighter | Matchup |
| Gian Villante | Anthony Perosh |
| Danny Castillo | Diego Ferreira |
| Kenny Robertson | Tim Means |
| Eddie Wineland | Takeya Mizugaki |
| Daron Cruickshank | Takanori Gomi |
| Ramsey Nijem | Joaquim Silva vs. Nazareno Malegarie Loser |
| Jessamyn Duke | None (Release) |
| Dominique Steele | Shinsho Anzai |
Takanori Gomi
2 of 9
Matchup: Daron Cruickshank
When Takanori Gomi joined the UFC roster, some thought it meant an outside shot that he could rematch B.J. Penn for the lightweight championship.
Instead, both men have faded into retirement or out of title contention. If there was any hope that Gomi could still make a run at UFC gold, it pretty much went out the window when Joe Lauzon put him away in less than three minutes on Saturday.
"Lauzon on Gomi ending: 'I felt like I had taken the life out of him' (@SBNLukeThomas) http://t.co/r74eIhE5vd pic.twitter.com/5zHTpL7sz6
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 26, 2015"
At 36 years old, Gomi's career is clearly winding down and this might even be the loss that causes him to call it quits. Should he continue competing, though, it'd be more interesting to see him utilize his punching power against a striker like Daron Cruickshank next.
Joe Lauzon
3 of 9
Matchup: James Krause
Returning from a knockout loss to Al Iaquinta, Lauzon was on a mission to show he still has the ability to beat high-level lightweights.
He did so by making a statement against Gomi. Lauzon quickly took the Japanese star down and pounded away with punches until he decided that Gomi was done defending rather than waiting on referee Herb Dean to step in.
"The fight stops when I say it stops! Thanks to everyone for all the support. Watch http://t.co/CjjH5isVPp tomorrow morning for my take! @ufc
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) July 26, 2015"
Beating Gomi was a huge rebound win for Lauzon, but he could still use one more victory before being tested by a ranked lightweight. Coming off of a submission win over Cruickshank, James Krause would be an intriguing matchup for Lauzon on the ground.
Paul Felder
4 of 9
Matchup: Drew Dober
With Myles Jury injured, Paul Felder was given a huge opportunity to move into lightweight title contention against Edson Barboza.
As it turned out, Felder wasn't quite ready for that leap only three bouts into his UFC career. He held his own, but Felder fell on all three scorecards after having to stand with Barboza, one of the most talented strikers at 155 pounds, for 15 minutes.
"I wanna apologize to @EdsonBarbozaJR for storming off after the decision. He's an amazing fighter and father, I was just beyond upset. #team
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) July 26, 2015"
Being 30 years old, Felder isn't exactly young for a UFC prospect. He'll have to learn quickly from this loss and rebound in order to reach the top while in his prime.
While he figures out what adjustments he'll need to make, Felder should take a step down in competition and meet Drew Dober in his next outing.
Edson Barboza
5 of 9
Matchup: Anthony Pettis
Following a deflating loss to Michael Johnson, Barboza got back into the win column against Felder.
While he didn't record a highlight-reel finish, Barboza put on another one of his striking clinics. He's truly one of the most aesthetically pleasing strikers to watch on the entire UFC roster right now.
"#UFCChicago Fight Highlights: Edson Barboza beats Paul Felder in an amazing stand-up battle https://t.co/GxlpzqqiRs pic.twitter.com/tCIC2I5xJG
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 26, 2015"
I'm not quite sure Barboza deserves a meeting with a former champion right now. However, Anthony Pettis is coming off of a loss, and I love how he matches up with Barboza stylistically.
Jessica Eye
6 of 9
Matchup: Sarah Kaufman
With a knockout win over Leslie Smith in her previous outing, Jessica Eye earned a bout with Miesha Tate and a chance to prove she was ready for a title shot.
Although Eye appeared to hurt Tate early on, she ended up on the receiving end of some big right hands and couldn't get it back together after being knocked down in the first round. The result was a decision loss, leaving Eye with two defeats in her past three outings.
"A grudge match between Jessica Eye and Sarah Kaufman would make too much sense now. Right?
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) July 26, 2015"
In October 2013, Eye picked up a narrow decision win over Sarah Kaufman, but that win was later overturned to a no contest. A rivalry developed between Eye and Kaufman following that controversial decision, and the pair put on an entertaining bout, so the UFC should put together a rematch.
Miesha Tate
7 of 9
Matchup: Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia Winner
When Tate suffered a second submission loss to Ronda Rousey at UFC 168, it seemed like she'd need some help in order to get another shot at the women's bantamweight belt.
However, with a win over Eye at UFC on Fox 16, Tate appears to be the top 135-pound contender once again. While she used her wrestling to seal the deal in the third round, Tate did show some increased punching power on Saturday that could prove useful in a third meeting with Rousey.
"What a shot by @MieshaTate! #UFCChicago http://t.co/ZTAuTTXzbP
— UFC (@ufc) July 26, 2015"
Given her lack of success against Rousey in past clashes, Tate probably wouldn't be too upset with Bethe Correia pulling off an upset at UFC 190 next weekend. However, odds are that the UFC will have to promote another Rousey and Tate grudge match.
Renan Barao
8 of 9
Matchup: Thomas Almeida
It's almost hard to remember a time when Barao was dominating the bantamweight division.
At UFC on Fox 16, Dillashaw pretty much erased that from everyone's memory by handing Barao a beating for the second time in three outings. Now, it appears Barao won't be getting another crack at the 135-pound belt for a long time should he remain in the division.
"T.J. Dillashaw is handling Renan Barao. Absolutely handling him like he's an upstart rookie in over his head. Nothing final yet, but my god.
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) July 26, 2015"
Many are expecting Barao to make an immediate move to 145 pounds. I think he'll wait to see what happens with teammate Jose Aldo's upcoming title fight against Conor McGregor before making that decision, though.
Should Barao stay at bantamweight in the interim, I'd be interested in seeing him test up-and-coming Brazilian Thomas Almeida, who knocked out Brad Pickett earlier this month.
T.J. Dillashaw
9 of 9
Matchup: Raphael Assuncao
Dillashaw appears primed to hang onto UFC gold for the foreseeable future.
There were some who questioned whether Dillashaw caught Barao at the right time in their first meeting. However, Dillashaw absolutely demolished those doubts with another outstanding performance against the Brazilian at UFC on Fox 16.
"TJ Dillashaw's fist met Renan Barao's face as the @UFC bantamweight champ defended his title: http://t.co/OuU8IG2TCX pic.twitter.com/viWQQiDcWO
— ESPN (@espn) July 26, 2015"
With a win over Dillashaw in October 2013, Raphael Assuncao was the last person to beat the champion. Since he hasn't lost since then, I think it's about time he got his shot to prove he's still better than the man holding the bantamweight belt.
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