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 10 Main Card Results: Erick Silva vs Jason High

Erick Silva makes quick work of Jason High

by Ben Heather @benheather

Erick Silva came in to this fight trying to get back to winning ways after he lost last time out to Jon Fitch in the fight of the night at UFC 153. Silva was originally slated to fight British fighter John Hathaway before he had to pull out of the fight due to injury. Jason High stepped up to fill the space in the card and make his return to the UFC for the first time since March 2010.

Erick Silva was again a big favourite going in to this fight with some bookies having him at up to a 1/4 favourite.

The fight starts and High the renowned wrestler goes straight for a takedown but Silva manages to sprawl his way out of the attempt and then manages to turn it around and get High's back.

Silva at first looked like he was looking for a triangle choke from High's back. High managed to get back to all fours and looked like he may get out of trouble. In the process it seemed that he left himself open for a rear naked choke but didn't go for it. Silva instead went for the arm and locked in an inverted armbar only let go once High tapped out within 71 seconds of the first round.

Jason High now slips to 16-4 and his 7 fight win streak comes to a quick end he is also 0-2 in the UFC. This was the first time in over three years since High was last in the UFC, he will be hoping it won't be as long before he next gets the shot to finally get a UFC victory.

Erick Silva now has a record of 15-3-1 and now has a 3-2 record in the UFC. I think he now steps up competition again and looks to fight someone bordering on the top 10 in the welterweight division to see if he can prove that he has learnt from his loss against Jon Fitch.

John Hathaway Meets Erick Silva at UFC on Fuel 10

John Hathaway to face Erick Silva at UFC on Fuel TV 10 in Brazil

In a battle between 2 of the finest Welterweight prospects in the UFC, The UKs John Hathaway (17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will meet Erick Silva (14-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) at UFC on Fuel 10 in Brazil, on June 8th, on a fightcard which also serves as the finale for the second season of "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.

UFC on Fuel 10 is expected to take place June 8 at Ginasio Paulo Sarasate in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil. The event's main card airs on FUEL TV in the US following prelims on Facebook.

UFC officials announced the bout following an initial report from Brazilian website Globo.

25-year-old John Hathaway one of the finest talents in the UK, is currently riding a 3 fight win streak including wins over TUF finalist Kris McCray, Pascal Krauss and John Maguire - all of which came by decision, and will be fighting outside of The UK for only the 5th time in his 18 fight career. Of Hathaways 7 UFC wins, including notable victories over Rick Story and Diego Sanchez, all but 1 have come by decisiom

His opponent Silva who recently had to pull out of his proposed UFC 156 bout with Jay Hieron, fights in his home land for the 4th time in his 5 fight UFC career. Silva returns to the cage following his UFC 153 lose to Jon Fitch that most observers consider his first true defeat inside the octagon, with his other lose on record coming from a disqualification for illegal punches to the back of the head in a bout against Carlo Prater at UFC 142 which Silva knocked out Prater. Referee Mario Yamasaki who disqualified Silva later admitted to erring in his stoppage.

For the latest on UFC on Fuel 10, stay tuned to the calendar section of the site.