UFC 142 fallout: Let’s play UFC matchmaker

It’s another UFC PPV that’s come and gone as we experienced UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes last night. As usual, a weak looking card on paper delivers some epic moments, so let’s put on our Joe Silva hat and see who should be fighting who next(from the main card).

• Jose Aldo successfully defended his UFC featherweight title against Chad Mendes who was ranked by most as the #3 featherweight in the world. Aldo should face Hatsu Hioki next if Hioki is successful in defeating Bart Palaszewski at UFC 144 next month. Hioki made his UFC debut in October 2011, winning a lackluster split decision against George Roop. However, he’s regarded by many as the number two featherweight in the world behind Aldo. I don’t think Hioki could beat Aldo, but he should be next provided he beats Palaszewski.
• Vitor Belfort took out the overweight Anthony Johnson via submission and looks to be on track to rematch Anderson Silva. He’ll be a coach on TUF Brazil opposire of Wanderlei Silva and those two will fight on a PPV later this year.
• Rousimar Palhares is an absolute monster with his submission game. He took Mike Massenzio’s leg home with him on Saturday night. He has won six out of his last seven fights with four of those wins coming via submission. It’s time for Palhares to fight tougher competition, and I can’t think of anything better than him facing the winner of the Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia fight that will take place in two weeks at the UFC on FOX show in Chicago. I’m leaning towards Bisping winning that fight, so it could be Palhares vs. Bisping. If that fight isn’t possible a bout with someone like Alan Belcher makes sense.
• Erick Silva lost to Carlo Prater on Saturday night but actually won. The referee made a horrible call on the stoppage saying that the punches Silva landed were illegal. I only saw one punch that was illegal and the fight was basically over at that point anyways. Silva should fight Mike Pyle next, as Pyle was a winner on a preliminary fight earlier in the night.
• Edson Barboza landed one of if not the best kicks via knockout ever in the UFC against Terry Etim. Barboza is undefeated and slowly climbing the ranks as a lightweight. He’s a very good striker with great takedown defense. I still think he’s a couple of wins away from being a true contender though. I’d like to see him face Thiago Tavares next who was victorious on the prelims as well. Tavares has improved his striking and has a better submission game than Etim.

I correctly predicted that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira would fight Alexander Gustafsson in the last edition that can be found here.