Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was back at it again last Saturday night (Dec. 1, 2018) for its second event in as many days to stage UFC Fight Night 142 inside Adelaide Entertainment Center in Adelaide, Australia, which aired live and free on FOX Sports 1. In the main event of the evening, Junior dos Santos and Tai Tuivasa threw bombs until one man fell, as “Cigano” scored a second round technical knockout win over “Bam Bam” (see it again here). In the co-headlining act, Mauricio Rua showed he still has some fight left in him after mounting an incredible comeback to defeat Tyson Pedro via technical knockout in the third and final round (recap).
Winner: Junior dos Santos
Who He Should Fight Next: Francis Ngannou
We’ve already seen Alistair Overeem finish “Cigano” before, so I’m not feeling this call out that much. Also, Cain Velasquez has already had his way from the Brazilian bomber on two violent occasions, so there’s no need to see that again. Ngannou, meanwhile, would provide a fresh face and new challenge for dos Santos. “The Predator” just got back on the winning track last week after dismantling Curtis Blaydes in one round, so their turnaround time would be on track to line up. The winner would definitely move closer to another shot at the title. Plus, neither of them like to wrestle, so you know it would be fireworks.
Winner: Mauricio Rua
Who He Should Fight Next: Volkan Oezdemir
The two were set to throw down earlier this year on two separate occasions before Volkan’s legal issues canceled one booking, while UFC’s decision to yank “No Time” from the second scheduled fight to face Alexander Gustafsson.
Rua went on to fight, losing to Anthony Smith, instead. Volkan, meanwhile, never had the chance to face Gus, and went on to get submitted by the aforementioned Smith three months after Rua lost to him. This fight just makes sense.
Winner: Justin Willis
Who He Should Face Next: Tai Tuivasa
I get it, “Big Sexy” isn’t interested in “Bam Bam’s” challenge because he won and Tuivasa was knocked out by dos Santos in Adelaide. But, let’s not kid ourselves, Willis’ victory over Mark Hunt was far from dominant. Yes, he got the important win, but it was obtained in a rather lackluster manner.
Plus, Tuivasa — who was previously undefeated at 8-0, 3-0 UFC — is still ranked higher than Willis, so “Big Sexy” can’t be electing a Top 5-ranked opponent liked he desires. Plus, there is already baked-in beef because of the pre-fight scuffle involving Hunt, Tuivasa and Willis at the weigh-ins.
Winner: Anthony Rocco Martin
Who He Should Fight Next: Yancy Medeiros
Don’t look now, but Martin now has win three in a row and is slowly climbing up the Welterweight ladder following his impressive victory over Jake Mathews. Prior to losing to Donald Cerrone, Yancy was on an impressive three-fight win streak, as well. I like the match up, as both men are looking to break into the Top 15.
Winner: Sodiq Yusuff
Who He Should Fight Next: Shane Burgos
Sodig made an explosive Octagon debut, knocking out Suman Mokhtarian in the very first round. He will find out quick enough that the challenges will only get tougher and tougher, possibly starting with his next bout, where I’d like him to face Shane Burgos. Shane got back on track in his last fight, defeating Kurt Holobaugh via first-round submission at UFC 230. Shane is 4-1 so far in his Octagon career, but despite his UFC experience, there is no reason to believe he’d be too much of a step up for Yusuff. By the looks of it, Sodiq is ready to take on anything thrown his way based on his debut.
Winner: Jimmy Crute
Who He Should Fight Next: Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Crute remained undefeated (9-0, 1-0 UFC) after making a splash in his Octagon debut against Paul Craig, submitting him in the very first round. Marco, meanwhile, has alternated wins and losses during his up-and-down four-year run with UFC, never getting a good flow going.
Crute wants to show he’s here for the long haul, and a win over an experienced veteran like Marcos would do just that. On the flip side, a victory over an undefeated prospect like Crute could be the jump start he needs.
For complete UFC Fight Night 142 results, including play-by-play, click here.
Get the latest gear
