UFC 158 was all about the 170 pounders. For all intents and purposes it was a welterweight tournament. The main and co-main event featured the top four ranked welterweights in the world and the outcome of these match-ups would decide the immediate future of the division.
As previously discussed, this event held the future of the division in the palm of its hand. The simplest way forward seemed to be if both Johny Hendricks and Georges St-Pierre were victorious. Luckily, that is exactly what happened.
Despite Carlos Condit's best efforts to throw a spanner in the works, the UFC was presented with a ready-made title fight. Hendricks was already the number 1 contender and he merely cemented that position with his win over Condit. He has been waiting for his shot and now, finally, he is going to get it.
Since Saturday night, Dana White has said a number of times that Hendricks will get the next shot. This, however, could all change if a certain super-fight finally gets made.
We know that the UFC has its 20th anniversary in November. We know that the UFC has been trying to get into New York for years. We know that the UFC has been trying to make Georges St-Pierre vs Anderson Silva for years. And we know that the UFC would love to put on a big show in New York to celebrate their 20th anniversary. So...
Anderson Silva seems to be keen. St-Pierre, on the other hand, seems to want to avoid all discussion on the matter. He has given no indication whatsoever that this is a fight he is actively pursuing, so i guess we will have to forget about that. For now.
So St-Pierre vs Hendricks it is. In regards to the welterweight division, it is the best possible match-up. Hendricks finally gets his long overdue shot, the best two welterweights in the world will fight for the title and the division will be moved along nicely.
The situation of Carlos Condit is an interesting one. The 'Natural Born Killer' is in a precarious position. Clearly, he is an elite mixed martial artist, he has beaten the likes of Nick Diaz, Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger. However, he has come up short when it has truly mattered.
What does the UFC do with him now?
He is on a two-fight losing streak so maybe Condit should begin to rebuild and work his way back up through top ten fighters. Although, those two fights were close decision losses to the two best welterweights in the world so it is clear that he belongs in the upper echelon of the division.
Perhaps he should fight Rory MacDonald. After all, that was his original opponent for UFC 158 until MacDonald dropped out due to injury and was replaced by Hendricks. This is an intriguing fight, a rematch, that the fans would like to see. The only problem is that this is a very tough fight and could conceivably result in Condit being on the wrong end of a three-fight losing streak.
Jake Ellenberger had a big night. A big win on the best possible stage. He re-announced himself as a legitimate contender by knocking out Nate Marquardt. Something only one other man has been able to achieve, a certain Anderson Silva. He should now face either Damian Maia or Tarec Saffeidine, fights in which an impressive win could lead him to becoming the next number one contender.
From a man who gained a lot, to a man who has possibly lost a lot. Nate Marquardt was fighting in the UFC for the first time since being cut in 2011. It was his opportunity to get back into Dana's good books and to prove he belongs. That didn't quite happen though. Instead he was knocked out in the first round. Unfortunately for him, Marquardt seems to be on the chopping block. He has been cut before, he has used TRT, he is on a two-fight losing streak, he lost his last fight by first-round KO and the UFC is trimming its roster. The odds of him keeping his job appear to be bleak.
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