What’s Next For UFC 179’s Biggest Winners/Losers?
UFC 179 Aldo vs Mendes 2 is in the books, so what’s next for the biggest winners & losers in Brazil?
UFC 179 went down last night (Saturday, Oct. 25th, 2014) in Rio De Janeiro Brazil. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo and title challenger Chad Mendes put in a war for the evening’s main event, but it was ultimately a unanimous decision win for “Scarface”. See highlights of that fight here.
There was more at stake than just the featherweight championship in Brazil, so let’s take a look at what’s next for the biggest winners/losers from UFC 179:
Aldo/Mendes
For Jose Aldo, there was a lot of pressure to perform at UFC 179, partially due to the feud he and “Money” had in the lead up t their bout. In victory, Aldo extends his UFC streak to seven, and sets himself up for a long line of fresh (ish) contenders at 145 pounds. What’s next? Well, providing the injury list isn’t too extensive, I’d say that the winner of Edgar vs Swanson makes the most sense. Remember that Aldo does sit for a while between fights though, and that Conor McGregor could well get the nod if it’s a summer 2015 return….
Or perhaps a superfight could be on the cards?
Chad Mendes put in a valiant effort at the UFC 179 main event, but it just wasn’t enough. No matter how close the fight seemed, the judge’s would not have come in to it had “Money” gone and got the finish as he had promised. Standing and striking with Aldo was foolish, and ultimately cost the Team Alpha Male product the fight. What’s next for “Money”? Well he is actually in a tricky position right now; the rest of the division is either tied up or coming off a loss. Maybe a bout with Jeremy Stephens, or the winner of Bermudez vs Lamas?
Teixeira/Davis
Phil Davis needed a win at UFC 179, perhaps more than his opponent Glover Teixeira did. After trash talking the crap out of Jon Jones before UFC 172, “Mr Wonderful” got taught a lesson by Anthony Johnson in Baltimore. The humiliating loss was alas erased last night, as Davis kept his eyes on the ‘W’, although it was less than a thriller. What’s next after beating the #4 lhw? Again, 205 pounds is tied up in the top five, so Davis will either have to wait out the rumoured Evans vs Gustafsson fight, or start looking behind to Dan Henderson, or maybe the winner of Rua vs Manuwa.
For the Chuck Liddel-trained Brazilian slugger Glover Teixeira, two losses on the bounce after such a long unbeaten run must be hard to swallow. If the promotion still values him as a legit force, which many still believe he is, then maybe a tune-up fight is on the cards. Maybe Ovince St-Preux or Ryab Jimmo? Whatever the case, GT needs to go back to the drawing board, because the elite at 205 pounds have his number right now.
Neil Magny
Streaking welterweight Neil Magny deserves a mention here, as he tied Roger Huerta for most modern day UFC wins in one year. Five times the lanky welterweight has competed this year, and he hasn’t tasted defeat in 2014 yet. He later stated that he could fight again in two weeks, and win or lose, you have to admit that this guy is a stud at 170 pounds. His win over William Patolino was hard earned, and impressive to say the least.
