Where does Matt Hughes goes from here?
Well, the obvious answer is to the doctor to get that knee checked out. He walked out of the cage on his own, but it sure looked like Hughes did some internal damage when he fell awkwardly at the end of the fight.
It looked to me like the flying knee from Thiago Alves landed more on his shoulder/chest, and it was the knee injury that dropped him down.
That being said, Alves was handling Hughes pretty easily throughout the fight (more on Alves next), and it's a legit question to ask how much Hughes has left in the tank. He hasn't looked good since he fought Royce Gracie.
B.J. Penn was schooling him for two rounds before he gassed, GSP has dismantled him twice with little difficulty, he looked sloppy in taking a decision from Chris Lytle and now this latest defeat.
It's obvious that he'll stick around for at least the Serra grudge match, but I don't think you can any longer pencil in Hughes as the victor in that one.
The biggest problem may not be age or injury for Hughes though. It may be that since leaving trainer Pat Miletech behind and opening his school that Hughes has lost the guiding force he's needed to be successful.
His game plans in his last few fights have been less then stellar, and his obvious shots on Alves looked like something you would have seen five years ago in MMA. With no set up, his shots were weak to say the least.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Now, Hughes may have a good bit left and Saturday wasn't indicative of where he's at because...
How much credit can you give Alves?
Yes he won, and yes he finished the best welterweight champion ever, but does that really count when you're a middleweight?
Hughes probably weighed at least 175 stepping into the cage and, seeing as he looked bigger than Michael Bisping did earlier, I'd say Alves was at least 185. That kind of size/power advantage could very well have been the difference in his stuffing shots and tying up Hughes from the bottom.
It could very well be that Alves would have won the fight if he had made weight, but the fact that he didn't makes every question about his performance a legitimate one, and it's his fault that they are.
And his requesting of a title shot? I certainly hope he doesn't get one, as he should at least make weight in the fight prior to a title shot. I'd like to see him in with a top contender like Josh Koscheck or the loser of GSP/Fitch before getting a title shot.
Where do the middleweights go from here?
Rumors have started to pop up that Anderson Silva will be vacating the middleweight title and moving up to 205. I'll talk more about that if it comes to fruition, but let's just say it opens up a world of GREAT fights.
But if he does leave, where does that leave the 185-pound division?
Even without Silva, the division is really talented at the top end. Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt, Thales Leites, Yushin Okami and Michael Bisping have all looked good against everyone not Silva, and with him gone from the division, all have to be considered title threats.
The UFC appears to abhor tournaments, but a four- or eight- man tournament spread over two or three shows really would be enjoyable. It probably won't happen due to the injury concerns, but it doesn't change the fact that if Silva leaves 185 just might become one of the most hotly contested divisions in the sport.
A surprising new contender at 155
I, along with many others, gave Matt Wiman next to no chance against Thiago Tavares, but he sure made us eat our words.
Wiman looked great against a tough opponent, and the work he's put into his jiu jitsu and stand up was evident. He looked so much more impressive than he ever has in the UFC that it's hard to believe he's the same fighter.
He may not be in B.J. Penn's class, but Wiman served notice that he may be able to handle the best in the division. If he keeps improving at this rate, he just may be able to challenge Penn with a few more fights.
Personally, I'm running through a Nate Diaz/Wiman fight in my head and wondering how much fun that would be.
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5 months ago
Good article. How about a Ultimate Fighter show for the vacant 185, giving the fans a GREAT finale!? Silva could very well be a belt holder at 205, I think he should do it. I also have thoughts that he should try heavyweight with the lack of stand out talent in that division. Henderson gave Nogeira a tough fight and Silva beat Henderson. If this vacancy happens," I gotta get my ass to the booky", cause my money is on Henderson at 185. Would really like to see a Franklin/ Henderson match.
5 months ago
I'd love to see a TUF that was the top 8 in the middleweight division in a tournament, but I don't think there's a chance of that happening. Guys at that level would never agree to it.
As for Franklin/Henderson, I can't see how that fight doesn't happen. And if Silva does move up to LHW, they're the last two title challengers, so why not make it for the vacant belt.
I don't see Silva moving up to heavyweight as he'd be giving up WAY too much size. And he'd never fight either Big or Little Nog since they train him.
5 months ago
Wiman has worked on his Jits but Diaz would eat him alive on the ground. I think it has something to do with lankiness (I may have just made up a word) that the Diaz Boys have. Wiman would have a long way to go before he is even considered for a shot, three to four fights at the least.
At 185 your forgetting a couple of guys that could give people some trouble. First is my darkhorse, Damian Maia, he'll destroy whoever he fights next (most likely Jason Macdonald) and people will start to take notice. Also don't count out Almeida, he's going to submit Cote. Then maybe a rematch with Marquardt (they have some history).
from 5 months ago
You're right....I did forget Maia. He's looked great so far, but I don't think he's a title threat just yet. Depending on how/if he beats MacDonald, he may end up there though.
I don't think Cote will ever even get to a title shot, while I'll reserve judgement on Almeida for another fight or two. He has the talent, but he took a long time off and needs a good win or two before we know where he's really at right now.
As for Diaz, I've learned you can never count him out, no matter who he's facing and how the fight has been going. He keeps his head and stays calm even in bad situations, which is something that can't be said for a lot of fighters. From what Wiman showed on the ground against Tavares, I just think I'd really enjoy a fight with him and Diaz. I'd pick Diaz, but it'd be fun, fun, fun.
from 5 months ago
He also forgot (pretty glaringly) Martin Kampmann who is 4-0 in the UFC. Plus I'd throw in Palhares. I Hope Anderson Silva doesn't move up to 205... I am so not convinced he has a lock on 185. If Lutter can do what he did against him, then whose to say all the other great take down/jui-jitsu guys up and coming can't finish the deal. Not to mention I still think Dan Henderson has the best chance to beat him. Bisping looks good enough to challenge him as well... but he hasn't fought a good 185'er to really prove it yet. And I'm not sure about his prospects at 205... there'd be great match ups against the stand up guys, but I don't think he matches up well with the wrestlers... unless he can submit them... not sure.
And I agree Diaz would beat Wiman.
from 5 months ago
I didn't forget Kampmann, I just didn't include him right now. He was gone for over a year and won a quick fight against a talented but inconsistent and aging opponent. I think he'll be a contender in 6 months to a year, but one fight after such a long lay off does not a contender make to me.
5 months ago
I like that idea of a 4-man 185lb tournament spread over 2 shows. But I hope A. Silva stays at 185 and dominates the division for a while. Does he have trouble making weight or something? I know D. White wants champs to stay at their weight and clean out a division before considering champ-champ matches. There's a few guys at 185 A. Silva would still have to beat (Bisping) before he's cleans out his division.
from 5 months ago
David, I think its because White and Silva honestly believe he could beat most of the contenders at 205, and probably Rampage. Everybody knows Rampage's weakness and it may be his only major one, is knees from the clinch. Whose better than Silva in the clinch?
5 months ago
If he does indeed move up to 205, I would love to see Wanderlai Silva vs. Anderson Silva. Two great fighters in the clinch and would also feature strength against speed.
5 months ago
Wiman was impressive but you're giving him too much credit. His jitz isn't good enough yet to make up for his apparent lack of wrestling compared to all those great wrestlers in the 155 division. And don't even think about comparing him to Penn... he'd get destroyed. And you gotta give Alves the credit. He was going to win that fight whether he made weight or not imo. I'll take his excuse.
from 5 months ago
By no means do I think he could deal with Penn, and I said as much. Penn would destroy him. To be honest, I'm not sure who at 155 in the UFC right now that Penn wouldn't handle fairly easily. That being said, even with a weaker wrestling game, I still feel the Wiman we saw Saturday - strong chin, good subs & defense, good compsure - can compete with the big boys at 155. I don't think he'd be favoured to beat them, but he could compete. His bottom game looked strong enough that he coudl very well reduce wrestlers to a lay and pray game.
I'm willing to give Alves credit. He won the fight. But like I said, it's his own fault that he left himself open to having the validity of that win questioned. He's going to have to go out in his next fight, make weight, beat a good fighter and look good doing it to shut people up.
from 5 months ago
"He may not be in BJ Penn's class" was enough of a demarcation between the two's skill level for me. Other than that I pretty much agree with you.
5 months ago
Great article.
I am not convinced that Silva will move up for a few reasons:
a) as some people have mentioned there are a few contenders he is left to beat (Bisping, Okami). If and when he beats them, then it would make sense to move up as there is no competition.
b) if he moves up it makes the division look weaker its like saying there is not enough competition in the division- its true, but from DW's standpoint it doesnt real sell future MW title fights.
c) it ruins the potential dream match up of GSP V Silva which would be a great.
d) Silva trains with Machida. Since Machida is in line for a title shot it would pit them against each other- which they have both said they don't want to do.
Having said that there are some advantages for the UFC:
a) Silva (IMO) could take the title from Rampage. This frees up the chance for Dana to put Chuck V Rampage again or Chuck for the title (Can't see chuck getting a title shot against Rampage)- this obviously sells PPV's as Chuck is very popular.
b) Silva could be very dominant and unlike the MWD, the LHWD has stacks of fresh opponents for him.
Anyway thats just me thoughts :)
5 months ago
I'd love to see Anderson at 205! He has the build to make an easy transition up to 205,and it certainly would create a number of exciting match-ups!!!! If he leaves middle weight, and perhaps depending on what Henderson decides to do, I think Bisping would end up as middle weight champ!!!!
from 5 months ago
I don't think that Bisping has even been presented with an opponent that is of champion caliber. He's a bit over rated for me.
5 months ago
Yup, tons of great fights for Anderson at 205. It will be nice to actually see him get challenged and have to struggle for a bit (no offence to who he's beaten, but 205 is a much stronger division than 185).
Almeida, Palhares, Maia, Leites, Kampmann, and a couple others could all be contenders at 185. And yes, Franklin should fight Henderson for the vacant belt (maybe that's why Silva is moving up to 205, so Dana can have an American champ at middleweight?).
Wiman looked great, and he could be a force at lightweight. I wonder who he will face next. And Alves will have a hard time with the stronger wrestlers at 170 (GSP, Fitch, Kos). I think Hughes should beat up Serra and then retire. He doesn't have the same drive or arrogance that he used to (those losses to GSP messed him up mentally).
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