Afterthoughts: UFC Fight Night 74

UFC Fight Night 74 is officially in the books. It was a decent card, not awe inspiring, but not too bad. It did give us some answers…

For example, we learned of a few fighters who were victims of hyperbole. Valerie Letourneau put a halt to Maryna Moroz’s train and Olivier Aubin-Mercier grinded his way to an uneventful decision victory. The veteran Francisco Trinaldo sent Chad Laprise crashing back into reality and Patrick Cote pretty much did the same to Josh Burkman. Not too surprising since hyperbole is practically a mainstay in the UFC.

The event also produced few topics that are well suited for open discussion and I’d like to take this time to highlight three of the more significant topics FN 74 produced. Patrick Cote is a veteran fighter who most know for his terrible performance and injury against Anderson Silva. Since then he has seen the low end of the spectrum and began a steady climb back up. Saturday night we observed what got Cote to a middleweight title shot once, grit and devastating knockout power.

He engaged Josh Burkman for three rounds in a back and forth matchup and finally laid Burkman out cold to pickup the KO victory. Oh, and then he called out Hector Lombard. That’s right; Cote wants a crack at “Showeather” as soon as the Cuban’s suspension is up in January.

My immediate reaction was no! I love Cote and have always been a fan of his fights, however, I don’t believe he’ll be cracking the top ten anymore. Now, Lombard isn’t any younger than Cote, but he was on a solid run before he got caught using an anabolic steroid. At middleweight, Lombard almost had nothing to offer the UFC. He just couldn’t put it together like he did outside of the promotion.

Then, he dropped down to welterweight and looked every part the beast he was made out to be. First, he knocked out Nate Marquardt with ease. Next, he manhandled Jake Shields in route to a dominating decision victory. Then, he won a unanimous decision over Josh Burkman, which, was later overturned for his positive drug test. With the exception of Shields, these guys weren’t the top welterweights in the UFC any longer; however, Lombard was very likely a win away from a title shot. Indeed, he was scheduled to fight Rory MacDonald in what would have likely been a title contender eliminator bout, but that bout was scrapped and his positive test results followed.

Nonetheless, when Lombard returns from his suspension, I initially would have liked to see him thrown to wolves. You know, right where he left-off. Before his suspension, his welterweight run had me intrigued and I’m still intrigued. This guy is well past his prime but he seems to still have it together, at least when he is juicing, we’ll see.

Now that I’ve had some time to sit with the thought, maybe it’s not a bad idea to put together Cote versus Lombard. Cote has always brought the fight to his opponents. He is a tested and gritty veteran with devastating knockout power. I’d like to see what he could do with someone like Lombard. The Cuban has devastating knockout power of his own and world class grappling. Now, Cote, isn’t the grappling ace that Lombard is, but he is a fighter with a solid foundation in striking.

At first glance, it may seem as though Lombard would be too much for Cote, but I’m unsure of that right now. Cote did finish Josh Burkman while Lombard couldn’t. And, it’ll be interesting to see where a clean Hector Lombard really stands. Either way, this matchup would be a good springboard for the winner.

In the co-main event Neil Magny got back to his winning ways by using brains over brawn to defeat Erick Silva.

It was a solid win for Magny and sets him back on course to make another run into the top ten. For Silva, however, it’s another loss on what has been a roller coaster career in the UFC. The young Brazilian has the talent but can’t seem to put it together; specifically, against tougher or higher level opposition. Silva is going to have to reflect and make some changes because his current form isn’t getting him any closer to a title.

Don’t get me wrong. He is a fun fighter to watch. He’s gritty and he always goes for the finish. In other words, he knows how to put on a show. His bout with Matt Brown is a classic and a prime example of what I’m trying to say. However, this isn’t going to give him an enduring career. In fact, if he stays on this path, he’ll likely always have a difficult time getting by welterweights in the top ten.

I’m sure he can fancy himself a career as the fighter who is guns blazing and lives by the sword and dies by the sword; but, ultimately, I think his goal is to get to the top and win some gold. Erick Silva, it is time for you refine your craft and show us the real potential you carry.

The main event was, perhaps, the biggest let down of the night. But, at the same time, if you’re a Max Holloway fan, it was somewhat exciting. Since falling prey to Dennis Bermudez and Conor McGregor, Holloway has improved his game, particular his stand-up, and has put together an amazing run. As of today Holloway is 7-0 in last seven fights with his most impressive win coming over Cub Swanson.

At 23, this young lad still has plenty of room to grow and refine his craft. Immediately after defeating Charles Oliveira, due to injury, Holloway called out Frankie Edgar. And, at No. 5 in the UFC rankings, calling out the No. 2 featherweight isn’t too bad of an idea. It was the right move as Holloway is seemingly on the cusp of earning his first title shot. His victory over Swanson was very impressive and that alone says he should have an opportunity against a top three opponent.

It was unfortunate Oliveira suffered a fight ending injury rather early into the fight. He never had the opportunity to test Holloway with significant offense. However, Holloway looked good before the injury occurred and seemed to be shutting Oliveira out of the striking game.

Nonetheless, a fight with Edgar isn’t in the books for Holloway just yet. The UFC announced that Frankie Edgar would fight Chad Mendes at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale December 11th. And, since Ricardo Lammas is booked up at the moment, that leaves no other options for Holloway inside the top five. His only available options would be Jeremy Stephens or rematches with Dennis Bermudez and Charles Oliveira.

Depending on the amount of time Oliveira will need to heal his esophageal injury, the Brazilian may still be the most intriguing matchup at this point. The fight didn’t get too far and that created the impression of “unfinished business” between the two. It’s still a quality matchup and one that makes the most sense. However, a rematch with Dennis Bermudez wouldn’t too bad either. In fact, that matchup would show us how much Holloway has improved his wrestling. A component of his game he will need in top form if he wants to survive the wrath of the likes of Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes.

Needless to say, Holloway is on one of the better runs in the division and things are looking good for Hawaiian.

That’s all I have this week. Enjoy yourself some Bellator MMA this weekend and let’s get ready for the best mixed martial artist currently in the UFC, Demetrious Johnson, to battle his toughest foe, John Dodson, at UFC 191 next week!

https://youtu.be/7ZR59Kddv-Y