UFC 204 Results: Matches to Make for the Winners and Losers
Michael Bisping nearly got iced again, but a champion's resolve was on full display at home for the Brit.
Bisping out-lasted Dan Henderson in the UFC 204 main event. It was the final fight in Henderson's career and cemented Bisping as the undisputed champion as he defended the belt for the first time.
More was on the line at UFC 204, and now with it in the rear view mirror it's time to look forward to what comes next.
Let's answer that question that creeps up after every event.
Who is next on the docket for the winners and losers?
Preliminary Quick Hits
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Iuri Alcantara def. Brad Pickett via submission (triangle choke) at 1:59 of the first round
- Iuri Alcantara vs. John Dodson
- Brad Pickett vs. Ning Guangyou
Damian Stasiak def. Davey Grant via submission (armbar) at 3:56 of the third round
- Damian Stasiak vs. Joe Soto
- Davey Grant vs. Rob Font
Leon Edwards def. Albert Tumenov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:01 of the third round
- Leon Edwards vs. Matt Brown
- Albert Tumenov vs. Mike Pyle
Marc Diakiese def. Lukasz Sajewski by TKO at 4:40 of the second round
- Marc Diakiese vs. Michel Prazeres
- Lukasz Sajewski should be cut following a third consecutive loss
Mike Perry def. Danny Roberts by KO at 4:40 of the third round
- Mike Perry vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
- Danny Roberts vs. Augusto Montano
Leonardo Santos def. Adriano Martins by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Leonardo Santos vs. Sean Strickland
- Adriano Martins vs. Nicolas Dalby
Mirsad Bektic vs. Russell Doane
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Mirsad Bektic def. Russell Doane via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:22 of the first round
Doane took this fight on less than a week's notice, and he was at a serious disadvantage against one of the brightest prospects around.
Phillipe Nover has recently lost to Renan Barao. He is a name that makes sense for Doane.
Bektic should get a ranked opponent now that he is back and shown he's in form.
Charles Oliveira's name stands out as a good test for the prospect. Oliveira will test Bektic and would be a significant win under his belt should Bektic pass the test. Bektic has a high ceiling. A top fighter like Oliveira will give the UFC, and the fans, a barometer of where he is currently in his development.
Stefan Struve vs. Daniel Omielanczuk
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Stefan Struve def. Daniel Omielanczuk via submission (D'Arce choke) at 1:41 of the second round
Struve put in a nice performance. He looked big, strong and capable of making a run. Omielanczuk was simply out-classed.
Omielanczuk would still make sense for Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva regardless of the loss. Both men struggled in their outing. Bigfoot should probably take time away after another knockout loss, but Omielanczuk will be waiting in the wings for his return.
Struve needs to look toward the deeper parts of the heavyweight division. A fight against Ben Rothwell serves everyone just fine. The winner gets back into contention.
The Dutch fighter holds a KO win over the current champion. If he can pick up a couple more victories it would make for a compelling story.
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Jimi Manuwa vs. Ovince Saint Preux
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Jimi Manuwa def. Ovince Saint Preux by KO at 2:38 of the second round
Nikita Krylov meets Misha Cirkunov at UFC 206. The winner would be a good matchup for Saint Preux. He got ousted against Manuwa but remains one of the best in the division. He won't fall too far given how shallow the waters are at 205.
There's no need to make him go back to the end of the line with an unranked opponent.
As for Manuwa, this was a stellar showing. But who to put him against?
It may not be the most appealing to fans, but Jon Jones seems appropriate. The interim champion has no timetable to return just yet, but that's the name to eyeball. It's more likely that Jones will fight whomever the champion may be when he returns, but Manuwa seems more appropriate.
If not Jones, Ryan Bader should be the answer.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Vitor Belfort
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Gegard Mousasi def. Vitor Belfort by TKO at 2:43 of the second round
It was a relatively easy night for Mousasi as Belfort never really got going. He's failed to really get going for several bouts now.
It may be time to hang 'em up, but there's been no indication that it will happen. With that said, perhaps a fun tilt with Uriah Hall is in order?
In the post-fight interview in the cage, Brian Stann and Mousasi discussed a possible matchup with Anderson Silva. That doesn't make any sense. Silva is winless since 2012. He has a bit of name recognition, but it's a big step back.
A better plan would be for Mousasi to take on the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero. It would be a title eliminator.
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
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Michael Bisping def. Dan Henderson by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
It's real easy to say what's next for Henderson. Retirement (h/t Sherdog.com). He said he was done heading into UFC 204, and he confirmed it after the bout.
So, how about the champion?
Luke Rockhold takes on Jacare Souza in Australia, and the winner of that should get Bisping. Chris Weidman is meeting Yoel Romero at UFC 205, but barring injury the right choice is the winner of Rockhold vs. Jacare. Whoever wins that is simply either more deserving or a better sell to the fans.
Easy-peasy.
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