UFC Fight Night 112 took a while to get into gear on Sunday night but a controversial finish to the main event ensured that there were some talking points to take out of Oklahoma City.
As with the aftermath of every UFC event, here are five fights for MMA’s premier promotion to make with the night’s big winners:
Kevin Lee vs Johnson/Gaethje winner
With the hasty stoppage by referee Mario Yamasaki, the importance and impressiveness of Kevin Lee’s victory has seemingly been put aside in the immediate aftermath of UFC Fight Night 112.
‘The Motown Phenom’ quickly took Chiesa’s back when the opportunity presented itself and sunk in a tight rear-naked choke with the same urgency.
Sunday night’s win was no doubt the biggest of the young lightweight’s career and while he wasted no time in calling out Khabib Nurmagomedov, that fight would be a big step up.
A more sensible and just as exciting proposition would be for Lee to face off against the winner of the upcoming Michael Johnson – Justin Gaethje fight with the victor possibly contending for a title fight soon after.
Tim Boetsch vs Uriah Hall
Tim Boetsch made relatively quick work of an undisciplined Johny Hendricks and in doing so displayed his powerful and diverse striking abilities.
‘The Barbarian’ has been a mainstay around the top 15 of both the light heavyweight and middleweight division’s during his UFC tenure and a bout with Uriah Hall would test both men’s mettle.
Felice Herrig vs Carla Esparza II
Felice Herrig extended her current win streak to three at the expense of Justine Kish with dominant grappling making all the difference.
Carla Esparza, meanwhile, bounced back from a recent loss with the same gameplan on Sunday and a second bout between the pair would crown the queen of control at women’s strawweight.
Tim Means vs Emil Meek
It wasn’t Tim Means’ best performance but the lanky striker’s quality work ensured he came out on top against Alex Garcia in a three round fight.
A bout with Norway’s Emil Meek would be one of the most fun fights to make at welterweight and could possibly catapult the winner into the top 15 at 170 lbs.
Clay Guida vs Diego Sanchez II
Clay Guida rolled back the clock against Eric Koch in the preliminary card’s headline bout and even added some new Rene Higuita styled scorpion kicks for good measure.
Guida and Diego Sanchez had 2009’s fight of the year and now would be a fantastic opportunity to see if they can recreate the electricity that their first bout had.