The highly anticipated pay-per-view, UFC 178, as expected, turned out to be a fantastic night of fights. The event started out with a come from behind submission win, and two decision victories that won’t make any headlines. Quickly, the fights picked up the pace and lived up to the high expectations. Even with a mismatch of a main event, UFC 178 was a great night of fights featuring many top fighters, and it developed a few possible future title challengers, as well.
UFC 178: What’s next for the main card winners?
UFC 178 took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sept. 27, 2014. It aired live on pay-per-view, with free prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
In the main event, UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson was expected to defeat title challenger Chris Cariaso, and he did handily. The odds were very high because it featured one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world versus a skilled fighter who never deserved the title shot in the first place. Johnson was dominant in every area for the first rounds until he submitted (kimura) Cariaso. In the co-main event, fan-favourite Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone took on UFC newcomer and former Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez in a highly anticipated lightweight matchup. Although Cerrone got the win, Alvarez took it to him in a great fight. Also on the main card, considered “The People’s Main Event”, hyped Conor McGregor defined himself a contender and continued his hype train on the tracks by finishing Dustin Poirier in a little over a minute.
So with that, it’s time for MMASucka.com to play matchmaker again, and like always, we will decide who the main card winners should fight next in our opinion. If you have a different opinion, let us know in the comment section below.
Let’s get started!
Name: Cat Zingano (9-0)
Who she should face next: Ronda Rousey (10-0)
Cat Zingano started out slow in the first round against Amanda Nunes, but that was just ring rust and she started dominating in the second round, and got the TKO finish in the third. Dana White had said beforehand that if Zingano wins she’ll be next in line for the title, held by Ronda Rousey, and she got it done. White already confirmed at the post-fight press conference that Rousey vs. Zingano will happen, possibly in January, date TBD.
Name: Yoel Romero (9-1)
Who he should face next: Ronaldo Souza (21-3)
Romero, although he got a few extra seconds in between rounds and the whole situation is controversial, he got the job done in spectacular fashion. At the end of the second round, he was rocked and very close to being finished. The bell saved him, completely, one more punch and the fight would’ve been stopped. Going into the third, Romero made a change in events and finished Tim Kennedy. With wins over Derek Brunson, Brad Tavares and Kennedy, it makes him very close to a title shot in the stacked division of middleweight. A fight against ‘Jacare’ makes the most sense, the winner getting a title shot.
Name: Conor McGregor (16-2)
Who he should face next: Winner of Ricardo Lamas vs. Dennis Bermudez
Conor McGregor defined himself a contender in the division tonight for sure. Was defeating the #5 featherweight in the world enough to earn a title shot? Probably, but I don’t think so. McGregor talked his way up the division, and although now he actually has fought his way up, he’ll probably talk his way to a title shot against the winner of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes. In my opinion, the winner of Frankie Edgar vs. Cub Swanson should get a shot at UFC gold. Anyways, McGregor should show that he has champion credentials by taking out another top 5 opponent, the winner of Ricardo Lamas and Dennis Bermudez. Bermudez is on a roll, and Lamas would be back in “the mix” with a win. The winner of McGregor vs. Lamas-Bermudez would for sure get a title shot.
Name: Donald Cerrone (25-6)
Who he should face next: Khabib Nurmagomedov or Myles Jury
Donald Cerrone continued his winning streak by taking Eddie Alvarez to a decision, winning two out of three rounds. It was a fun fight, but did not win the Fight of the Night bonus. He was originally setup to face Khabib Nurmagomedov, but Nurmagomedov got injured and so after going through multiple opponents, Cerrone vs. Alvarez was set. Although ‘Cowboy’ is in a position to fight for the title, he wants to fight before the lightweight title is being next defended, so a fight against Nurmagomedov makes sense. Although, he has made it clear that he may not be ready till early 2015, therefore that fight may not be able to happen quite yet. A second choice would be Myles Jury, who definitely has earned himself a top opponent, and that would keep Cerrone active, but not help him in the rankings.
Name: Demetrious Johnson (21-2)
Who he should face next: Winner of Ian McCall vs. John Lineker
As champion, Demetrious Johnson will always face who has earned a title shot and is next in line. In this case, a Number 1 contender’s bout has been set, with the winner getting a title shot against Johnson. Ian McCall is taking on John Lineker at UFC Fight Night 56 in November. Therefore, Johnson vs. the winner of that bout will likely happen in early 2015.
