MMA Plus take a look at the ‘Winner’s Spoils’ from UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor and what could be in-store for the main card winners.
UFC 202 managed to live up to all the pre-event hype, with a stellar show in front of a divisive Irish and American crowd.
In a show stealing main event, fans were treated to a fight of the year candidate as the “Notorious” Conor McGregor secured a majority decision win (48-47, 47-47, 48-47) over Stockton bad boy Nate Diaz. McGregor’s win avenged his UFC 196 loss, where the Irishman tapped to a rear-naked-choke in the second round.
Now we take a look who the winners from the main card should face off against next after UFC 202.
Tim Means vs. Sabah Homasi
Tim Means (26-7-1) made a victorious return to the Welterweight division with a lopsided victory over a newcomer Sabah Homasi (11-6). In the opening round both fighter stood toe-to-toe but Means’s opponent would score the early takedown.
In the second round the ‘Dirty Bird’ would quickly take control of the fight, picking off his opponent with an devastating array of striking which included slashing elbows. This caused a severe gash on the top of Homasi’s head which left him a bloody mess.
Means would continue to pick his American Top Team foe apart before referee Herb Dean would call an end to the fight.
When you take into account majority of his performances since he made his octagon debut Means is clearly too good for most of the UFC welterweight’s that currently sit outside of the top 15 so a fight against ranked opponent is a must for the FIT NHB trained fighter so with the likes of Kelvin Gastelum (12-2) would be a perfect fit.
Next fight: Kelvin Gastelum
Mike Perry vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
Entering into Octagon for his UFC debut off the back of his controversial antics at the weigin-ins, Mike Perry (8-0) managed to live up to the pre-fight hype and maintain the 100 percent MMA record.
From the opening bell Perry would take control, firing multiple power shots at Lim (13-6-1) before the fight would go to the ground.
After the fight returned to the feet, Perry would connect with a straight left, resulting in Lim hitting the deck once again and after a few more punches. The referee called an end to the fight, with Lim being Perry’s eighth TKO/KO win in eight contests.
Although his debut performance was impressive Perry should not be rushed into a fight with a top ranked opponents such as Jake Ellenberger (31-11) or Tarec Saffiedine (16-5) so next up should be a bout with a fighter flirting with the top 15 and British welterweight Tom Breese (10-1) ticks all the boxes for the Florida natives next assignment.
Next fight: Tom Breese
Donald Cerrone vs. Rick Story
In yet another performance of the night Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone (31-7) once again cemented his status as one of the best mixed martial artists in the world today.
Story was billed as his toughest test since he’s moved up to the 170lbs division, but Cerrone would overcome him with his world-class kickboxing in a two-round blitz. There end came midway through the second round when “Cowboy delivered a devastating combination which ended with a head kick that sent Story falling to the campus.
Whilst declaring his intention to make the move back down to the lightweight division to face current champion Eddie Alvarez (28-4) a fight with a top 5 welterweight opponent would make the most sense with his desired opponent rumoured to be facing no. 1 contender Khabib Numagonmedov (23-0) next so a fight with Rory MacDonald (18-4) is a fight that makes the most sense for the Jackson Wink trained fighter.
Next fight: Rory MacDonald
Anthony Johnson vs. Glover Teixeira
In a fight that will billed the battle of the power punchers, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson cemented his status as the number one contender to Daniel Cormier’s UFC Light-Heavyweight title with a 13 seconds KO win over Glover Teixeira.
Seemingly as soon as the fight started, Johnson mounted his pressure and landed a devastating uppercut – which actually knocked out the Brazilian’s tooth – to knockout Teixeira.
During the post fight interview Johnson would set up a second crack at the 20lb gold by respectfully calling out Cormier, as the video panned to the champion he seemingly game his approval to the fight.
After this devastating performance the only fight left for Johnson surely must be a rematch with DC and a chance to avenge his sole LHW loss since returning to the UFC in April, 2014.
Next fight: Daniel Cormier
Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
Considered by many as the biggest rematch in UFC history, Conor McGregor (20-3) and Nate Diaz (19-11) settled their bad blood in one of the promotion’s biggest ever rematches.
The fight seemingly caught the imagination of; not just the hardcore fans; mainstream supporters like Gordon Ramsay, Niall Horan and Rory Mcllroy.
The brash Irishman dominated the opening two rounds, before the tide changed midway through the third as Diaz would begin to rally. Potentially on his way to a second consecutive defeat against the Stockton man, McGregor made the necessary adjustments to win round four, which aided him to seal victory despite losing the final round on all three judge’s scorecards.
After proclaiming the King had returned, Conor would immediately call for rubber match, but this time at Lightweight.
Whilst a third fight against Diaz has left many fans drooling at the prospect, before that fight can take place UFC President Dana White has ordered a unification fight against Interim-Featherweight champion Jose Aldo (26-2). The Brazilian won the title against Frankie Edgar at UFC 202 and is keen to avenge his UFC 194 knockout loss to McGregor.
Next fight: Jose Aldo
