What do the results of tonight's UFC on Fox 2 mean for the main card participants?
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| Chael Sonnen won a dubious decision over Michael Bisping. Pic via CagePotato |
Rashad Evans: He certainly didn't set the world on fire, but he did win, and he was promised a title shot if he did so. He will fight Jon Jones for the belt on April 21 at UFC 145. I like Jones in that one, but Evans is crafty. You can't count him out. It will be a fight that the UFC will market the hell out of, and Evans really knows how to hype a fight. Expect to hear a lot about this in the coming months, as the UFC sees the Light Heavyweight division as their marquee weight class.
Phil Davis: Davis will be a better fighter for this loss. He waded out into the deep water and didn't drown. He went five hard-fought rounds with a former champion and didn't appear flustered. His strikes were loopy and slow, and Evans was able to beat him to the punch. Davis needs to improve his striking before he's a true challenger to what is, for now, Jon Jones' belt.
Chael Sonnen: Sonnen took home a split decision win against Michael Bisping in what is surely going to be a much debated judges' decision. Sonnen will get Anderson Silva in a rematch of their amazing title fight at UFC 117. The date isn't set as far as I know, but Sonnen better take 100% of the time he has to work on his submission defense. He followed the fight with a braggadocio-filled rant that was equal parts Muhammad Ali and Macho Man Randy Savage.
Michael Bisping: Did very well on short notice. I thought he won, which could have given him a title shot. UFC brass is usually good about rewarding guys who look great in defeat, so I could see him getting a fight against Vitor Belfort, who fought just two weeks ago. The timing works there. They could also put The Count up against Yushin Okami, a perennial contender in the middleweight division or the terrifying Rousimar Palhares. If Mark Munoz heals soon, they could match Bisping and Munoz and market it as a #1 contender fight.
Chris Weidman: Squeaked out a win over Demian Maia. It was a HUGE step up for Weidman, and a terrible fight to watch. They're not going to throw Weidman right up the top of the division because he didn't dominate or even look like championship material. But he beat an established name. He might find himself against another established gatekeeper like a Chris Leben or a Tim Boetsch. He got some good exposure, but wasn't a thrilling guy to watch.
Demian Maia: A definite step back for Maia with the loss. His cardio didn't look good, and his striking was still stiff and predictable. He's lost two of his last three and has been a .500 fighter over his last 8 fights. He could be on the chopping block during his next fight. UFC matchmaker Joe Silva could pair him with Chris Camozzi, who was victorious in tonight's opening fight. It would be a win-win for the UFC marketing department. Camozzi wins and they've got a former Ultimate Fighter contestant with a win over a big name. If Maia is able to bring the electrifying ju-jitsu that made him a minor star in the UFC, he should be able to impress against Camozzi, who is an inferior fighter on the mat.
