UFC 109 Losers: What's Next?

With UFC 109 officially in the books and now that we have had a bit of time to let the events that transpired last night marinate; it’s time to once again break out the trusty crystal ball and talk about what’s next for the fighters on the main card.

I will be covering the losers this time around while Sterling Spiars will be taking a look at where the winners go after last night.

Frank Trigg

Well Mr. Trigg, I truly hope that you enjoyed your return to the big show, as there is little doubt in my mind that you will be sent packing after last night’s lackluster performance.

Trigg was TKO’d by heavy handed BJJ ace Matt Serra, making it two first round TKO's since his return to the Octagon.

If Serra wants to continue fighting I’m sure either Strikeforce or some reasonable regional organization will give him a shot, but there would certainly be no shame is hanging up the gloves now.

Trigg has had a nice career, and although a major title has always eluded him, he is one of the better fighters to compete in this young sport.

Dan Miller

While Miller did get beat last night by BJJ wizard Demian Maia, he showed good takedown defense and a very strong guard. It’s never a good thing when a guy like Maia gets top position, but Miller was able to stay out of danger.

The biggest thing UFC 109 showed about Miller was that he still has some work to do before he is ready to compete with the best the division has to offer. So now, after back to back loss's, Miller needs to take a step back and work on the finer points of his game.

My suggestion: Miller should fight Tom Lawlor. Lawlor has a good all-round game, but nothing that Miller would not be able to handle.

Mike Swick

I think it is safe to say that Mike Swick is a gatekeeper and nothing more. He is a talented fighter, but his lack of success against top flight competition shows he is not the contender that many had him pegged to be.

Being a gatekeeper is nothing to be ashamed of, as it is a vital role that someone has to fill. As the welterweight division’s new gatekeeper there are plenty of matchups that they will throw his direction. The most likely will be a showdown with the winner of Ricardo Almeida v. Matt Brown.

But, the match up that I would like most like to see is Swick taking on the winner between Martin Kampmann and Ben Saunders. Yes, Swick did roll through Saunders just a few short months ago, but if Saunders can dominate Kampmann the way he did Marcus Davis then he deserves a chance to get another crack at Swick.

Nate Marquardt

I’d be lying if I told you that I expected Chael Sonnen to win his bout with Nate Marquardt last night, let alone dominate the action the way that he did, but it just goes to show you that you can’t get caught up in your own hype.

Marquardt is still a tough and dangerous fighter, but maybe he is not the title threat that we all thought he was.

For Marquardt’s next fight I can see him taking on either Wanderlei Silva, if he is successful against Michael Bisping in his upcoming bout, or Vitor Belfort, should he lose against Anderson Silva.

Marquardt won’t exactly have to start at the bottom of the mountain, but after being dominated the way that he was against Sonnen, it is going to take him a few wins before he can even be considered a title contender again.

Mark Coleman

Coleman looked stiff, old, and tired against Randy Couture, and he is actually the younger of the two. Coleman lost last night via a second round submission and it could not have come at a better time, considering Couture was effectively beating Coleman to the punch every time.

It was apparent last night that Coleman and Couture are two totally different 40-year-olds. Coleman has been in many wars over the years and it shows.

Coleman has nothing left to prove in MMA, and he should walk away while he can still walk. The man is truly one of the greats, but by continuing to step in the cage he is not only risking is legacy but his health.