FIGHTS TO MAKE NEXT – POST-FIGHT NIGHT 107: Manuwa, Anderson, Nelson, Jouban, Vera

By Chris King, MMATorch contributor

Fight Night 107 is in the books, and while it certainly looked like a paper thin card for the UK fans, it actually turned out to be an interesting and fun packed card with some solid performances. Now it’s that time again to see this weeks winners and losers and to speculate on what could be next for them.

Manuwa defeated Anderson

The main event was a classic striker vs grappler match up. It’s time to chalk another one for the strikers as Jimi Manuwa turned out Corey Anderson’s lights at just 3:05 in the very first round. Jimi looked very impressive, easily stuffing the grapplers attempts to drag it to the mat and constantly stalked his prey down until he landed the killer blow.

Manuwa then called out for the winner of the upcoming Cormier vs Johnson bout. This as it turns out could be a surprisingly good shout, especially so if Johnson wins as two terrifying strikers is an easy sell and could potentially leave Jones and Cormier to fight which would end their feud. It at least gives the UFC another option other than giving Jones his shot at the title.

It is not so long since Manuwa has lost to Johnson back at UFC 191, but we all know that the UFC Light Heavyweight Division is crying out for more contenders at the top end.

As for Anderson, it was a quite frankly extremely disappointing show and I can’t see him getting a name opponent anytime soon. The best he could hope for would be a bout against the raging Antonio Rogerio Nogueira but my guess it is far more likely that he faces Jared Cannonier

Gunnar Nelson defeated Alan Jouban

Gunnar Nelson continues to impress and this was a stellar showing against the dangerous if not somewhat limited Jouban. Nelson won the striking exchanges and as soon as he hat an opening on the floor he dispatched him with ease. Anyone in the Welterweight division not named Demian Maia definitely does not want to go to the ground against him and he will now likely face someone in the Top 10. I would like to see him against Neil Many or possibly Dong Hyun Kim which could potentially be another co-main on another Fight Night card

Alan Jouban against Tim Means seems like a good match up and their schedules should line up nicely and is a solid matchup. Another possibility could be a fight opposite Warlley Alves who seems to have lost his way after an initial impressive start in the UFC.

Marlon Vera defeated Brad Pickett

Very few fighters get their storybook ending in MMA and Brad Pickett is no exception it would seem. He was controlling the fight and well up on the score cards and had even dropped Marlon Vera with some crisp striking. Then you switch of for a second and the referee is waving the fight off.

Easy enough for Brad Pickett, he didn’t get the ending he wanted, but he had a fantastic career, beat the current pound for pound best in Demetrious Johnson and while he never quite got to the title, he was a fan favourite and a pioneer for the lower weight classes.

Marlon Vera has a lot to work on and despite the KO finish failed to impress. Arnold Allen could be a potential or Godofredo Pepey if they feel like giving Allen a stiffer test.

Arnold Allen defeated Makwan Amirkhani

In the battle of the prospects the English Allen came out on top in a throughly entertaining fight which didn’t hurt Amirkhani’s stock too much. It was a fun matchup, but despite Allen’s impressive 12-1 record I wouldn’t push him to far up the ladder just yet. As previously stated Marlon Vera could be an option and has a mini storyline of the Englishman trying to get revenge for Pickett demise. Another option would be the winner of the upcoming Myles Jury v Mike de la Torre.

Makwan Amirkhani looked good in stages he just needs to spend some time closing the holes in his game. Gray Maynard or Alex Caceres could both be great matchups for him

Joe Duffy defeated Reza Madadi

Joe Duffy continues of putting his ugly loss to Dustin Poirier behind him and this was another stellar performance. Reza Madadi is durable as hell but Duffy was simply too good and now he could face someone in the Top 20. Kevin Lee stands out, fresh off his own solid performance against Fransisco Trinaldo.

Reza Madadi needs to start being concerned about the amount of damage he takes. Having a great chin and being durable are not what you want when it comes to people thinking of your strong points. A solid fight seems to be the dangerous Magomed Mustafaev.

Francimar Barroso defeated Darren Stewart

Francimar Barroso vs. Khalil Roundtree

Darren Stewart vs. Jonathan Wilson

Timothy Johnson defeated Daniel Omielanczuk

Timothy Johnson vs. Marcin Tybura

Daniel Omielanczuk vs. Anthony Hamilton

Leon Edwards defeated Vicente Luque

Leon Edwards vs. Ryan LaFlare

Vicente Luque vs.  Sage Northcutt

Marc Diakiese defeated Teemu Packalen

Marc Diakiese vs. Erik Koch

Teemu Packalen vs. Darrel Horcher

Brad Scott defeated Scott Askham

Brad Scott vs. Gerald Meerschaert

Scott Askham vs. Alessio di Chirico

Lina Lansberg defeated Lucie Pudilova 

Lina Lansberg vs. Leslie Smith

Lucie Pudilova vs. Lauren Murphy


NOW CHECK OUT THIS RECENT ARTICLE: FIGHTS TO MAKE NEXT – POST-UFC FIGHT NIGHT 106: Who should be next opponents for Gastelum, Vitor, Shogun, Barboza, Borg, Lee, more

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