MMA UFC

Top 5 Fights To Make In The Wake Of UFC 183

Fresh Videos

By @RickLaFitte

Top 5 Fights To Make In The Wake Of UFC 183

Anderson Silva kicks Nick Diaz during UFC 183 middleweight main event in Las Vegas
Getty Images

Octagon legend Anderson Silva made a triumphant return at UFC 183 in carving out a lopsided unanimous decision victory over a game Nick Diaz in their highly anticipated middleweight main event clash. The card in Las Vegas also featured explosive efforts from Thiago Alves, Thales Leites and Al Iaquinta. Here are the top five fights to make in the wake of UFC 183.

5. Al Iaquinta vs. Jorge Masvidal

Al Iaquinta punches Joe Lauzon in UFC lightweight action
Jayne Kamin-Oncea USA TODAY Sports

5. Al Iaquinta vs. Jorge Masvidal

Al Iaquinta punches Joe Lauzon in UFC lightweight action
Jayne Kamin-Oncea USA TODAY Sports

Iaquinta continued his destructive ways with a two-round blitzing of veteran Joe Lauzon. The Team Serra-Longo lightweight has now reeled off three straight finishes and is ready for top 15 competition. Masvidal would certainly fit that bill. “Gamebred”, who has also won three straight, is due to return at Fight Night 63 in April. He’s looking for an opponent after fights with Bobby Green and Benson Henderson fell through.

4. Thiago Alves vs. Benson Henderson/Brandon Thatch Winner

Thiago Alves gets the better of Jordan Mein during UFC 183 welterweight battle
Getty Images

4. Thiago Alves vs. Benson Henderson/Brandon Thatch Winner

Thiago Alves gets the better of Jordan Mein during UFC 183 welterweight battle
Getty Images

Alves rallied in emphatic fashion to finish talented prospect Jordan Mein. “Pitbull” overcame a rough opening round to capture a Performance of the Night bonus with his second round TKO triumph. The former title challenger has now won two straight bouts after a lengthy injury absence. Alves against the winner of the Feb. 14 clash at Fight Night 60 between Henderson and Thatch would be an excellent next test.

3. Thales Leites vs. Michael Bisping/C.B. Dollaway Winner

Thales Leites celebrates submission win over Tim Boetsch at UFC 183
Getty Images

3. Thales Leites vs. Michael Bisping/C.B. Dollaway Winner

Thales Leites celebrates submission win over Tim Boetsch at UFC 183
Getty Images

Leites continued his remarkable second stint with the promotion by submitting Tim Boetsch. He made it five straight Octagon wins and secured a pair of Fight Night bonuses for his effort. The former title challenger has added an impressive striking dimension to his dangerous ground game. Leites against the winner of the UFC 186 tilt between Bisping and Dollaway would be a meaningful middleweight clash.

2. Tyron Woodley vs. Matt Brown/Johny Hendricks Winner

Tyron Woodley punches Kelvin Gastelum during UFC 183 co-main event battle
Getty Images

2. Tyron Woodley vs. Matt Brown/Johny Hendricks Winner

Tyron Woodley punches Kelvin Gastelum during UFC 183 co-main event battle
Getty Images

Woodley got the decision win, but he failed to impress against Kelvin Gastelum. It wasn’t the type of performance that would have anyone clamoring to see the No. 3 welterweight get a title shot in the near future. “The Chosen One” against the winner of the UFC 185 clash between Brown and the former champion Hendricks would be a 170-pound contest with truly explosive potential.

1. Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre

Anderson Silva makes Octagon walk to face Nick Diaz at UFC 183
Getty Images

1. Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre

Anderson Silva makes Octagon walk to face Nick Diaz at UFC 183
Getty Images

Silva showed flashes of brilliance in his decision win over Diaz, but it wasn’t a performance that indicated he’s ready for another title run. If the former long-time 185-pound kingpin intends to keep fighting, which isn’t a guarantee, the time is now for the UFC to make this Superfight finally happen. A matchup between the two all-time greats has been discussed for years and should be made if St-Pierre ends his self-imposed hiatus in 2015.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on