Photo/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesHere is what we learned from the UFC 141 main card and what is (or could be) next for the fighters:
Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem
Division: Heavyweight
Result: Overeem defeated Lesnar by TKO in Round 1
What we learned about Overeem: Alistair's striking is as good, if not better, than advertised. His technical striking overwhelmed Lesnar. His knees were well timed, and his standup makes him a threat to everyone in the UFC heavyweight division. We also learned that he has decent takedown defense, stuffing a single that Lesnar seemed to have deep.
What is next for Overeem: Alistair is next in line for a mega fight with Junior dos Santos for the UFC heavyweight championship belt. They will probably fight in Vegas come the middle of the year.
What we learned about Lesnar: Maybe Lesnar is not good as advertised. Opinions will vary, but the facts are simple. He beat an aged Randy Couture, beat journeyman Heath Herring, split with Frank Mir, and luckily outlasted a gassed Shane Carwin. At 5-3, was he an elite heavyweight? He looked lost against up and coming talent in Cain Velasquez and a shell of his former cocky villain-like self against Overeem. His heath and potential robbed from him with his issues with diverticulitis. We will never know how good or not good Lesnar is as a fighter. His retirement ensures that.
What is next for Lesnar: Brock announces his retirement. My guess is that WWE is next vs. "The Rock," come end of 2012
David Cerrone vs. Nick Diaz
Division: Lightweight
Result: Diaz defeated Cerrone by unanimous decision
What we learned about Diaz: Diaz's dominant display of boxing was evident. He believed in quantity over quality, and landed a ton of clean shots to Cerrone's face. He took some brutal leg kicks, but this win will catapult Diaz in the rankings and put him in line for upper echelon contention.
What is next for Diaz: The win will put Diaz in the top 10 of the lightweight division, so expect him to fight Clay Guida in a 2009 rematch that Diaz lost, or the winner of Pettis-Lauzon makes sense.
What we learned about Cerrone: He cemented that he has a great chin. He took many clean shots, but kept fighting. His leg kicks brutalized Diaz's legs, and "Cowboy" does not disappoint in putting on a show. We also saw Cerrone drop his chance to move into the top five in the lightweight division. He will have to start again climbing the difficult UFC lightweight ladder.
What is next for Cerrone: He will have a minor suspension, but I think that a fight with him and either Gleison Tibau or Rafael dos Anjos makes the most sense.
Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks
Division: Welterweight
Result: Hendricks defeated Fitch by TKO in Round 1
What we learned about Hendricks: "Big Rig" has a nasty left hook. He did something that nobody, including UFC champ GSP, could do ... finish Fitch. Hendricks has been on a tear since entering the UFC, winning seven out of his last eight fights, with the only blemish being a controversial split decision loss to Rick Story in December of 2010. Hendricks, a crafty southpaw, showed once again that opponents have to keep their hands up against his power, while being concerned about Hendricks power takedown.
What is next for Hendricks: Hendricks should get the loser of Diaz vs. Condit, as the winner of this fight will get GSP and a title shot. By beating someone of Diaz, Condit or even a Koscheck's level, it puts him next in line for a title shot that he desires. He is a win or two at most away from a crack at the belt.
What we learned about Fitch: We did not learn much. He was knocked out for the first time, but the fight was very short and it looked like Fitch got caught with a clean left and paid for it.
What is next for Fitch: Fitch will have to climb the ladder once again. He should get another credible opponent like John Hathaway, or the winner of Kampmann vs. Sanchez makes some sense.
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Alexander Gustafsson
Division: Light heavyweight
Result: Gustafsson defeated Matyushenko by TKO in Round 1
What we learned about Gustafsson: After losing to Phil Davis a couple years ago, Gustafsson has ascended the UFC light heavyweight ladder on a current four-fight win streak. We learned that his length and unique, diverse striking is evolving. The 25-year-old Swede fighter is starting to become a known prospect and contender.
What is next for Gustafsson: Rich Franklin or Forrest Griffin makes a ton of sense for Gustaffson, thus answering questions on all sides.
What we learned about Matyushenko: He is a gatekeeper, nothing more, nothing less. His loss to Jon Jones was as Jones was raising up the UFC ranks, which is similar to the loss suffered to Gustafsson. He will continue to beat mid to low level competition, only to lose to the upper echelon.
What is next for Matyushenko: Potentially a fight against Krzysztof Soszyński in a loser gets cut from the UFC fight.
Jim Hettes vs. Nam Phan
Division: Featherweight
Result: Hettes defeated Phan by unanimous decision
What we learned about Hettes: Hettes is a high-ceiling prospect in the featherweight division. He dominated black belt in jiu-jitsu, Phan. He was getting takedowns almost at will, attempted a ton of submissions almost locking up an arm bar in the first round. e announced his arrival to the UFC with a dominant dismantling of Phan
What is next for Hettes: Hettes 2-0 in the UFC is ready to crack into the top 20 of the UFC's featherweight division. Fighting Ricado Lamas, Manny Gamburyan, or the Leonard Garcia vs. Tiequan Zhang winner, all make sense.
What we learned about Phan: Phan is a nice fighter who is talented, but with this recent loss and his losses to Mike Brown, and Leonard Garcia, it is time to be honest. Phan is going to be a borderline UFC fighter and will have to improve on his takedown defense. 5-8 in your last 13 MMA fights will mean that Phan is close to being cut from the UFC.
What is next for Phan: A fight against 0-2 UFC fighter Jason Young with loser gets cut implications makes a lot of sense.
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