What's next for the winnners of UFC Fight Night 36

Kingdom MMA look at what’s next for the winners of UFC FN36?

by Sam Heard @SamHeard_

Lyoto Machida
Next fight: Winner of Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC 173)

Now 2-0 at Middleweight against a pair of the most dangerous fighter on the UFC roster, it would be a bold statement to suggest that Machida isn’t deserving of the next pop at the 185-lbs belt.

His speed and technical striking advantage over former Strikeforce LHW champion Gegard Mousasi were plain to see, meriting him a one-sided decision victory after five rounds. It’s worth mentioning that against virtually any other opponent Machida’s performance probably would’ve earned the stoppage – Gegard ate several huge kicks directly to the jaw which would’ve been more than enough to drop most other middleweights (and indeed smaller African elephants).

Though he hobbled after his victory, this could well work to his advantage in his pursuit of being given the next title shot. Weidman and Belfort won’t be throwing down until May 24th which means either way Machida will be forced to wait and his foot injury will prevent him being given a match-up before then.

Ronaldo Souza
Next fight: Winner of Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Boetsch (UFC 173)

There’s no denying that Souza fell behind Machida in the race to secure the next no1 contender spot.

While he was mostly untroubled against Francis Carmont, I can’t help but think he should’ve been able to secure the submission victory from the dangerous ground positions he managed to take against the Frenchman. Going into Saturday’s fight, three of Carmont’s seven career loses had come via submission so expecting someone with Jacare’s BJJ credentials to submit a fighter having taken their back multiple times isn’t a big ask.

I find the UFC’s matching of Rockhold – who looked awesome in his last appearance – against middle-of-the-line Boetsch pretty strange. If, as most fans are expecting, Rockhold beats Boetsch, Joe Silva should arrange the rematch of Rockhold and Jacare, the winner potentially being next in line after Machida.

Erick Silva
Next fight: Brandon Thatch

Silva’s match up went according to the script as he immediately blasted through heavy-underdog Takenori Sako on Saturday night.

Silva can be a tricky fighter to matchmaker for. He looks like a world-beater against lower-level UFC welterweights but as soon as he takes a step-up in competition, he finds his momentum crushed by another loss (admittedly in the loss to Dong Hyun Kim he had been dominating until the KO). I believe that if Silva actually manages to amass a few consecutive UFC wins he could be a real contender in the 170-lbs division.

A clash with the massively-hyped prospect Brandon Thatch – who had stopped all 10 of his last opponents in the very first round – would be an amazing match up. Both fighters have similar offence-based styles so seeing the two in the octagon would surely be exciting from the start. A win for either of them against the other would more than likely buy their place into the division’s top ten rankings.

Nicholas Musoke
Next fight: Winner of Thiago Alves vs. Seth Baczynski (UFC on Fox 11)

Picking up the win on Saturday in front of a hostile Brazilian crowd (and in spite of a horrific looking groin shot in round three), Swedish Nicholas Musoke looked highly impressive.

A fight with the winner of Thiago Alves and Seth Baczynski makes a lot of sense. Alves hasn’t fought for the last two years and cannot expect to jump back to the top of the Welterweight division where he once resided. Assuming he wins against Baczynski, a fight against the impressive Nicholas Musoke would be perfect in his quest to re-establish his status in the division.

Charles Oliveira
Next fight: Felipe Arantes

Charles Oliveira finds himself in a state of limbo, comfortably dealing with opponents outside of the Featherweight division’s top-ten but then stumbling against the likes of Frankie Edgar and Cub Swanson. He made a difficult opponent in Andy Ogle look second-rate, eventually submitting him in the third round.

Only just coming off his two fight skid, it’s too soon to give Oliveira another top-ranked opponent. Instead, he should be given the opportunity to garner some consecutive wins against respected opponents like Ogle so he can build some momentum and self-confidence.

A perfect opponent for his next fight would be Felipe Arantes who, like Oliveira, was victorious on Saturday against Maximo Blanco. Arantes would be given a hike in competition and the chance to put himself on the map while Oliveira would confirm his talent by acquiring another UFC win.

UFC on FUEL TV 9 Main Card Results - Gegard Mousasi vs Ilir Latifi

Gegard Mousasi defeats Ilir Latifi by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

by Scott Cumming @tummidge

MMA's "Rocky" story didn't get a dream Hollywood ending at UFC on Fuel TV 9 with Gegard Mousasi taking the unanimous decision victory against Ilir Latifi. Latifi stepped into the main event at only 4 days notice to take on the former Strikeforce and Dream champion, but never proved a match for him. Mousasi employed the strategy of a man with everything to lose by keeping Latifi on the end of his punches for 14 and a half minutes and constantly pressuring with his jab.

He kept Latifi backed up for the majority of the fight, only having to defend a couple of takedowns before a rousing last 30 seconds for his opponent as he got him down, but couldn't make Mousasi pay. By the closing bell the only thing "Rocky"-esque was Latifi's face, which was a bloody and swollen mess. Mousasi was big enough to admit he skated along to victory analogising that this was somewhat akin to a stand-up version of lay and pray.

The bout was a hurdle that Mousasi had to get over and it keeps him nicely placed at #10 in the official UFC rankings and the promotion have cited that they still want to see him fight Alexander Gustafsson at some point in the near future. For Latifi, no matter what now becomes of his UFC career he will still always have his debut in the main event of a show in his home country and he is guaranteed at least one more fight with the promotion where we may get to glimpse his true potential in a weight class that is not stacked with talent at present.

UFC on Fuel TV 9 Main Card Picks

UFC Stockholm 2013 Main Card Picks

by Ben Heather @benheather

Gegard Mousasi vs Ilir Latifi

Chris: By all accounts Latifi has pretty descent wrestling, and has been able to translate his skills to MMA with good effect, but Mousasi is one of the best 205ers in the world. Sure, if he does have a weakness its his takedown defence but Mousasi showed his improvement in this area of his game in the Jardine fight, and I doubt very much Latifi's wrestling is on Lawals level.

While I can image the Swedish fans who love a Rocky style victory, I cant see it happening – Mousasi by first round TKO.

Prediction: Mousasi TKO Rd 1

Ben: Before we get to the prediction of this fight (which will come as no surprise) I would like to say that I have got so much respect for Latifi. For a fighter to step up on 4 days notice and not only fight in the UFC for the first time but to headline the card in your home country takes some balls and I hope Dana rewards him for this fact and gives him another fight after this.

But for this fight I struggle to see anything other than Mousasi dominate until he finally finishes Latifi, I cant see anyway in which Mousasi loses this fight unless he gets in the cage and just is not focused on the fight. I predict heart alone will see Latifi get out of the first round but then I see Mousasi finishing him in the second with a TKO.

Prediction: Mousasi TKO Rd 2

Ross Pearson vs Ryan Couture

Chris: Fact – Ryan Couture is not on Ross Pearson's level. Sure he is durable, and hasn’t done too bad so far in his MMA career (certainly better than I expected), but I don't see how he wins this fight. Pearson has fought, and finished better fighters and I expect him to do the same in this bout.

Prediction: Pearson

Ben: Some people have said that Ryan is being punished by Dana because of the beef between Dana and his dad. I don't think that is the case however I really do think that Pearson will be too powerful for Couture. Just look at the last fights of both fighters, Couture won on the final Strikeforce card but that was a split decision win over K J Noons (a fight which many thought Noons should have got the decision win). Now compare that to the last fight Pearson had where he destroyed George Sotiropoulos. Ross did not rush in when he had George rocked in the first round but instead kept a cool head and knew he had him beat it was just a matter of when.

I accept that Couture is a very good wrestler and may be able to test Pearson in that area but i think that Pearson will come in to this game with a plan for that which give him another third round TKO win and back to back wins for the first time since 2010. Pearson's experience in the UFC will prove ultimately too much for him.

Prediction Pearson TKO Rd 3

Matt Mitrione vs Phil De Fries

Chris: I know Ben isn't keen on this fight, but I can see this one being a pretty descent battle, one which could ultimately prove to be a loser goes home fight. I know most people are backing Mitrione going into this one, making him a sizeable favourite with the book makers, but I like De Fries to stay in Mitrione's face, push him against the cage, work for takedowns and grind out a unanimous decision.

Prediction: De Fries UD

Ben: As Chris said I am not really a fan of either of these fighters and i really believe that this is a fight between two guys who's jobs are on the line. The loser in my opinion will be cut from the UFC, and if they are not then they certainly should be. De Fries started his career 8-0 but now finds himself 9-2 after a 1-2 run in 2012 with defeats to Stipe Miocic and Todd Duffee. As for Mitrione, who has only ever fought for the UFC as a professional fighter, he also started his career with a 5-0 run but has lost his last 2 fights and is now 5-2. Mitrione's last win in the octagon was way back in June 2011. 

I believe De Fries has the better chance of winning this fight but it is not a fight that i am looking forward to going in to this card and the fact it is the third from last fight on the card proves the card doesn't have much depth to it. I predict this fight as a good time to go and refill your drinks or pop to the toilet and wait for the Pearson fight. I do however think that De Fries will have enough to eek out a Unanimous Decision victory.

Prediction: De Fries UD

Brad Pickett vs Mike Easton

Chris: Mike Easton is a talent guy, but is it me or does it feel like he holds back in his fights? Not taking anything away from Easton, I think this fight could go either way, both guys are great on the ground, but Pickett is definitely the better boxer – he has better movement and throws better combinations.

Prediction: Pickett

Ben: This is my prediction for fight of the night, we all know all Pickett wants to do is get in to a scrap and have a stand up war, if this happens I think will win the fight and potentially even finish Easton.

However Eddie Wineland proved how to beat Pickett in his last fight so if Easton comes out and does the same again it will ultimately be very disappointing for the crowd and all the fans watching around the world.

I still think that Easton will want to come out and put on a show so this will be great for all of us fans, just not so good for him in my opinion.

Prediction: Pickett TKO Rd 3

Diego Brandao vs Pablo Garza

Chris: This is a flip a coin fight for me. Part of me can see Brandao going out there and absolutely destroying Garza, another part of me can see Garza weathering the storm, using his experience and awkward frame, tiring Brandao out and getting the decision – either way I see this fight as a fight of the night contender. I'm picking Brandao. I think he look great against Joey Gambino, he can credit Jacksons MMA for his ever improving game (takedown defence), and as a rule of thumb I find it hard to back against Brazilians.

Prediction: Brandao

Ben: After seeing Diego fight on the ultimate fighter i thought this guy was going to be a real contender and then his first fight after the show he came out the blocks flying before getting tired early which cost him the fight vs Darren Elkins. I cant see Diego letting that happen again especially against Garza.

Garza ended a two fight losing streak with his win against Mark Hominick but i think this fight will see Brandoa steam roll through Garza and pick up the first round KO. This fight also has a lot of potential to put on a show for the fans and should be a fun fight.... while it lasts.

Prediction: Brandao KO Rd 1

Akira Corassani vs Robbie Peralta

Chris: While it appears Corassani has come a long way since his time on the ultimate fighter – his ground game is greatly improved, I wasn't too impressed with him in his win over Ogle, a fight which I scored for Ogle. His opponent Peralta is a fast, aggressive fighter who enter the bout unbeaten in his last 9 fights. While the home town crowd with be all over the Swede Corrassani, I like Peralta to spoil the parade just as he did in Nottingham either winning by TKO or decisive unanimous victory.

Prediction: Peralta

Ben: Both of these fighters last fought at UFC on Fuel TV 5 and on that night they both picked up wins but in very different circumstances. Peralta won via a 23 second knock out in the very first fight of the night which got people talking about his power. Whereas Corassani won a split decision against Andy Ogle in a fight which i still think Ogle won.

Seeing those fights live, being in the arena in Nottingham was a great experience and it changed my opinion on both of these fighters. If this fight took place 12 months ago I would have predicted Corassani to win but after seeing how powerful Perelta was i cant look past that. I see this fight going the distance but Peralta will disappoint the home crowd in Stockholm and take a Unanimous Decision win.

Prediction: Peralta UD

Keep checking Kingdom MMA for all the latest news on UFC on Fuel TV 9, UFC and all the latest MMA news from around the world.

Gegard Mousasi's striking coach Thom Harinck speaks to Kingdom MMA ahead of his fight at UFC on Fuel 9

Thom Harinck speaks to Kingdom MMA ahead of Mousasi's fight at UFC on Fuel 9

by Ben Heather @benheather

Kingdom MMA recently had the privilege to ask Thom Harinck, striking coach of Gegard Mousasi some questions ahead of Mousasi's fight at UFC on Fuel TV 9. Harinck has coached a who's who of world class fighters from all areas of combat sport with names such as Melvin Manhoef, Peter Aerts and Anderson Silva just a few of his past students and now he adds Gegard Mousasi to that list.

Ben: Is this the first time you have coached Gegard Mousasi?
Thom: No he has trained with me before a couple of times, only this time he has trained very seriously for 2 months 3 times a week with me.

Ben: What did he train with you, or was it for the whole camp?
Thom: He only came for his boxing and kicking, technical training with my champions.

Ben: You have worked with some of the best strikers in the world Aerts, Manhoef, Anderson Silva, where would you compare Mousasi's striking with some of the guys you have trained?
Thom: I think Gegard is very good at boxing but we have worked a lot on his kicks and special combinations which involve boxing and kicking.

Ben: At what stage did Mousasi stop full contact training before the fight?
Thom: 10 days before the fight, I did not do contact but only shadow and bag training at the end.

Ben: What are your thoughts on the events which led to Gustafsson pulling out? Would you have let it happen if you were his coach?
Thom: That is very difficult to say. I think in Holland and also Sweden you have to listen to the Doctor. It is the responsibility of the medical team.

Ben: What shape is Mousasi in coming into the fight both physically and mentally since the change of opponents?
Thom: Gegard will fight with anybody, the only problem is we focused and made a game plan for Gustafsson.

Ben: Have you spoken with Gegard this week, if so is he still as focused for this fight?
Thom: We have been in contact by SMS especially me and his brother.

Ben: Would you like to add anything else about the Gustafsson situation?
Thom: It's a bad situation for everybody, also for Gustafsson who wants to fight for the promoter, for Gegard, the fans etc etc. But they have found a good replacement man, the only pity is that he is not such a big name but he can still be very dangerous, because he has nothing to lose.

Ben: Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Thom: It was my pleasure good luck Osu

Keep checking Kingdom MMA for all the latest news from around the world of MMA.

Gustafsson officially out, replaced by training partner Ilir Latifi

Relative unknown fighter Ilir Latifi to make UFC debut and may headline UFC on FUEL TV 9

by Ben Heather @benheather

On Monday Wanderlei Silva got fans excited and said that he would be happy to step up and fight Mousasi if Gustafsson was ruled out before revealing that this was infact an April Fools joke.

Then earlier on Tuesday news broke that the Swedish MMA Federation had ruled that Alexander Gustafsson (15-1 MMA 7-1 UFC) had not been cleared to fight this weekend. The facial cut which Gustafsson suffered in training a couple of days ago had been ruled too severe to fight with this weekend and so his fight with Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2 MMA) was off.

This left the UFC in a tricky position with only four days left until the show how would they fill the space.

Would Mousasi still fight on the card?

What will the main event now be for the show?

and could anybody fill the giant hole left by Gustafsson?

 Dana White broke his silence and put an end to speculation of the past few days with the answer to the question that every MMA fan in the world has been asking for the past few days... What is going to happen to the main event of UFC on Fuel Tv 9. If you predicted the outcome you are either we now have you are either a) A genius, b) Dana White or c) Ilir Latifi as I dont know of anyone who could have predicted the news that Dana White broke late on Tuesday evening.

The new fight for Mousasi at UFC on FUEL TV 9 see's Gegard Mousasi face Ilir Latifi (7-2 MMA) who happens to be Alexander Gustafsson's training partner. For those who had not heard of Latifi before and there may be a few of you he is a 5ft 8" 29 year old fighter who will be making his UFC debut this weekend. He will make his way in to the octagon coming off the back of a 3 fight winning streak with his only two losses coming against current Bellator fighter Emanuel Newton and Tatsuya Mizuno.

The new match up may result in one of the most one sided odds matchups the UFC has ever seen but for now nothing has been announced.

As yet UFC have announced no news as to whether this fight will still be the main event of the night, keep checking KingdomMMA.co.uk for further news on this card.