UFC’s now annual Dublin, Ireland card is history. Due to late injuries, it wasn’t what anyone expected in the cage, but it was still fun thanks to the always-reliable Irish fans and some inspired performances. That said…where do we go from here? Who fights who next? Let’s dive right into it:
Louis Smolka: His only loss was a split decision to Chris Cariaso almost a year and a half ago. He has exciting fights, is really crafty (the short punch and soccer kick to the body that set up the finish were great), showed impressive poise in bad spots, and he needs a step up in competition. Chico Camus would be an interesting test, but he’s coming off a loss. With that in mind, fellow prospect Ray Borg sounds like the best pick, both as a test and because it’s an incredibly entertaining fight on paper, especially if it his the ground.
Paddy Holohan: He brought it against Smolka to prove they were worthy of being moved up to the main event, but he was noticeably tired after a round. He’s clearly putting himself through a big cut to make flyweight, to the point he might be better suited to try to move up to 135. If that were to happen, a fight against Kid Yamamoto on some random European or Asian Fight Night would be fun. Otherwise, put him against John Delos Reyes, who lost to Neil Seery in Dublin.
Aisling Daly: Her win over Ericka Almeida, complete with the crowd singing the chorus to The Cranberries’ “Zombie” during her walkout, was the highlight of the prelims and one of the best things on the whole card. The division hasn’t really settled yet and there’s no shame in her one UFC loss so far (against Randa Markos in April), so she could easily find herself thrown into a title fight with a win or two. Unfortunately, though, the division isn’t being booked often enough for her to have a lot of options. It’s winner vs. loser, but Maryna Moroz doesn’t have a fight booked and feels like the right fight for her out of the top 15 right now. Everyone that’s booked for November or December a is either unranked or has more momentum with a win than would warrant fighting the current number 15.
OMG!!!! @BreeseMMA silences the Irish crowd! #UFCDublin https://t.co/QUgBaGVaC8
— #UFCPittsburgh (@ufc) October 24, 2015
Tom Breese: He destroyed Cathal Pendred as he screamed in agony. Pendred has been enough of a tough, frustrating out for the lower to mid level welterweights that the fight shows Breese is the real deal. He needs a step up in competition, but the question is how far. The winner of Ryan LaFlare vs. Mike Pierce in December feels like a reasonable step up, as both are kind of floating around the “could suddenly be ranked number 15” level.
Cathal Pendred: The Irish fans love him. Thanks to his boring style of fighting, nobody else does. He’s now lost two in a row and doesn’t seem to have a high ceiling in the UFC. If he’s sticking around, he should be fighting someone like the loser of the Kyle Noke vs. Peter Sobotta fight that’s coming up at UFC 193.
Neil Seery: He’s never going to rise past being an action fighter on prelims or international main cards, but he’s likable and a lot of fun to watch. The winner of Richie Vaculik vs. Danny Martinez (which should really just read “Richie Vachlik”) at UFC 193 in Melbourne would make for a good action fight for him, so that’s as good a choice as any.
Ericka Almeida: She doesn’t look ready for the UFC yet. If she’s sticking around, there are fights for her, but she really feels like someone who needs more time to develop on the regional scene giving the deficiencies she’s shown like throwing away a round against Daly. Angela Hill in a loser leaves the UFC match sounds fair. Both are really green so whoever reigns supreme gets another shot.
