Rory MacDonald has next.
With Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler set to lock horns for a second time with the welterweight title hanging in the balance, the Canadian contender cemented himself as the next in line with a brutal third-round stoppage win over Tarec Saffiedine in the final bout of Saturday’s marathon day of fights.
The first two rounds were technical, competitive frames with Saffiedine chopping at MacDonald’s lead leg and MacDonald countering with a steady diet of jabs and straight right hands, landing with greater force and frequency to take a slight early lead.
In the third, however, “Ares” turned up the pace as the former Strikeforce champ started to wear the signs of battle on his face. A little over a minute into the round, MacDonald torqued his hips and laid into Saffiedine with a left uppercut that connected flush, dropping the Belgian contender to the canvas. From there, it was academic as the 25-year-old unleashed a series of follow-up blows that prompted referee Herb Dean to stop the bout.
Having won three straight, MacDonald now awaits the winner of December’s rematch between Hendricks and Lawler. And make no mistake about it: this version of MacDonald could very well claim the welterweight title.
This was the most relaxed, yet aggressive we’ve seen him to date – pressing forward and throwing hands without overcommitting and getting ahead of himself. The uppercut that started the finishing sequence was a thing of beauty and showed that will MacDonald doesn’t have the blinding power of Hendricks and Lawler, he finds extra pop in precision and clean technique.
After years of being heralded as “The Next One,” MacDonald is closer to fulfilling that prophecy than ever before and keeps getting better with each appearance, which is exactly what you want heading into a title fight.
Here’s a look at the matchups I’d make for the rest of Saturday’s main card winners.
Rick Story vs. Ryan LaFlare
Story handed Gunnar Nelson the first loss of his career in the main event of the day’s first fight card, a win that should put him back in the Top 15 when the new rankings hit on Monday. He’s won two straight and that run would extend to six with two rounds swinging in his direction, so he’s very much earned a step up.
LaFlare is another unbeaten emerging talent in the division, but one whose momentum has been slowed by injuries. He too is a grinding wrestler with solid striking like Story and like Nelson, needs a test of this nature to prove he’s a legitimate contender. For “The Horror,” it’s a chance to knock off another up-and-comer without getting thrown to the wolves too quickly.
Raphael Assuncao vs. Urijah Faber
Assuncao did his part to maintain his position in the bantamweight ranks, but chances are he’s going to have to fight again given that the UFC is eying a championship bout between TJ Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz. If that is the case, only Faber makes sense.
They’ve fought before at featherweight in the WEC, but they’re different fighters now and the result could very well be different as well. Faber is the biggest name in the division and the kind of star Assuncao needs to beat to increase his profile and potentially bolster the interest in a championship fight.
That being said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him opt to wait his turn – with seven straight wins since moving to bantamweight, he’s earned it.
Max Holloway vs. Chan Sung Jung
After rattling off four stoppage wins in 2014 already, why not give “Blessed” a step up in competition and see how he does? Holloway made quick work of Akira Corassani, has only ever lost to Top 10 talent and has looked much improved this year, offering more varied strikes and showing great composure.
“The Korean Zombie” was supposed to face Corassani on Saturday, so slotting him in against the surging Hawaiian youngster would be a good way to get him back in the spotlight while affording Holloway a chance to really step up with a victory.
Chad Laprise vs. Chris Wade
Laprise earned a decision win over Yoesdenis Cedeno in his return to lightweight Saturday in Halifax, showing good conditioning and the well-rounded skills that helped him win the TUF: Nations welterweight competition. Wade impressed in his UFC debut and would provide an interesting clash of styles with the Canadian next time out.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Ovince Saint Preux/Rafael Feijao winner
Blachowicz stopped Ilir Latifi after a nasty body kick in his UFC debut and automatically becomes an intriguing talent in the light heavyweight ranks as a result. Rather than rush him too far up the ladder against significantly tougher competition, pairing him with the winner of the upcoming OSP/Feijao fight offers another chance to impress against established, but similarly skilled opposition.
Elias Theodorou vs. Eddie Gordon/Josh Samman winner
Theodorou and Gordon talked about fighting each other after their respective TUF wins, and now that “The Spartan” has gotten back into the win column, a showdown with “Truck” or the TUF 17 alum would be a solid bout these middleweight prospects at this time.
Nordine Taleb vs. Warlley Alves/Alan Jouban winner
Taleb gutted out a split decision win against Li Jingliang for his second UFC win, the same number of victories the winner of the upcoming Alves/Jouban fight will have as well. He’s a gritty fighter that draws action out of his opponents, and a matchup with either of these prospects would be solid.
Mitch Gagnon vs. Joe Soto
Gagnon ran his winning streak to four with a quick finish of Roman Salazar and it’s time he gets a step up in competition. Soto may be coming off a loss, but it was in a championship fight where he acquitted himself nicely. With a place in the Top 10 potentially awaiting the winner, this would be a quality bantamweight contest.
Mike Wilkinson vs. Chas Skelly
Wilkinson surprised everyone by knocking out Niklas Backstrom on Saturday, but it’s important not to overreact and put too much weight into one performance. He’s 2-1 in the UFC and his bonus-winning finish earned him a little buzz, both of which can be said of Skelly as well. Pair them together and see which one gets to take a step forward in the featherweight ranks.