Fabricio Werdum (Photo/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)First, we learned that the UFC Monster and I are out in Vegas enjoying the fight mecca of the world. Nothing is better than being in Vegas for a UFC card, the entire city is charged with electric waves.
Fight recap time ... Here is what we learned from the UFC 143 main card and what is (or could be) next for the fighters:
Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz
Division: Welterweight
Result: Condit defeated Diaz by unanimous decision
What we learned about Condit: The obvious ... He is now the interim welterweight champion. We also learned that Condit can not only come out charging like a bull and score knockouts (see Dan Hardy fight), but he is also very coachable and disciplined when asked. His camp, led by Greg Jackson, came up with a game plan to not be lured into the brawling fights that Diaz tends to enjoy and win. Condit was a very diverse striker and never wavered or fell out of his game plan despite being heavily taunted heavily by Daiz. Condit has finally arrived with this signature win and went from an underrated fighter to a very dangerous contender.
What is next for Condit: Condit is next in line to fight GSP. The problem is that he will have to wait about 10 months to do so, since GSP isn't going to be cleared to train until June. Don't be surprised if Condit fights Koscheck or considers fighting Diaz again in an immediate rematch.
What we learned about Diaz: He is exactly who we thought he is, and know him to be. He was arrogant, brash and wanted to get Condit to brawl with him. Diaz felt that he at least won rounds 1, 3, and 5, and he was so distraught with the decision that he emotionally said that he would retire, since he felt that Condit ran away from him the entire fight. We learned that although Diaz may have won the fight in many eyes, he still needs to remember to never let it get to the score cards. Making comments like, "If I thought I was losing, I would have finished the submission" leaves fans, his camp, and many other scratching their heads.
What is next for Diaz: Diaz needs to lobby for an immediate rematch. Dana White hinted at it. He could get an immediate rematch, but my gut feeling is that he will have to fight Johny Hendricks, Josh Koscheck, or Jon Fitch.
Fabricio Werdum vs. Roy Nelson
Division: Heavyweight
Result: Fabricio Werdum defeated Nelson by unanimous decision
What we learned about Werdum: We learned that the eighth-ranked Werdum is a dark horse in the heavyweight division. He showed new and very clean striking skills, picking Nelson apart all night. We have not seen Werdum ever look this good in his standup game, couple that with his amazing submission skills and you have a fighter on the brink of a title shot with another couple of wins.
What is next for Werdum: Fabricio returned to the UFC looking better than ever, so expect him to fight Frank Mir, Shane Carwin or even Antonio Nogueria to climb into the top five of his weight class.
What we learned about Nelson: We learned that he is a mid-level fighter that is fun to watch with much personality, but needs to do more to make an impact in the deep and talented heavyweight division. He has lost a lot of weight, but at his height and weight, he will always struggle against fighters with longer reaches and bigger statures.
What is next for Nelson: Look to him to continue to lose the weight and get down to light heavy weight class in the next year. He may take another fight at heavy weight, but at 1-3 in his last four fights, he will need to win to fight off a pink slip from the UFC.
Josh Koscehck vs. Mike Pierce
Division: Welterweight
Result: Koscheck defeated Pierce by split decision
What we learned about Koscheck: We learned that he was not very motivated coming into this fight ... and not much else. He did just enough to earn a very slim decision and left much to be desired. Koscheck reveled at the post fight press conference that he wasn't happy with his performance and has left his AKA Academy gym that he helped promote during his entire UFC career. We were also reminded that fans love to hate Koscheck, and he did very little to improve the frequency of the "boo birds."
What is next for Koscheck: He suggested that he would like to fight Condit for the interim title, but he will more than likely get Johnny Hendricks or Jon Fitch (his former teammate at AKA) .
What we learned about Pierce: He is a very physically strong and game fighter. He pushed the pace and landed nice shots against Koscheck, and although struggled to get the takedowns, he should build on the loss and come back stronger. Pierce is a legitimate top 20 welterweight who needs to clean up his game and should be someone to watch moving forward.
What is next for Pierce: I think he took more away in the fight from the loss than Koscheck in the win. Peirce should look to get back on the proverbial ladder by fighting someone such as Charlie Brenneman.
Ed Herman vs. Clifford Starks
Division: Middleweight
Result: Ed Herman defeated Clifford Starks by submission
What we learned about Herman: Herman is still a gatekeeper to the UFC. Since finishing as a runner-up in Season 3 of the Ultimate Fighter TV series, Herman is 7-6 in the UFC and tends to be a fighter who will beat most newcomers debuting in the UFC, but then losing to polished competition. In short, we learned that Herman has not evolved much since joining the UFC. He looks good against weaker competition and then gets beat by mid-level guys.
What is next for Herman: Herman needs to string some wins together. Nonetheless, I see him on the same trend he has been on since entering the UFC ... inconsistent. He should get a fight with Jason Miller with the loser getting cut from the UFC.
What we learned about Starks: Not a ton. He clipped Herman with a nice hook, but then failed to get a takedown with some lunging, far from distances shots.
What is next for Starks: In losing this last bout, Starks will have to win his next fight to prove his win in his octagon debut was not a fluke. I see him fighting Kris McCray or Ryan Jensen.
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