The UFC makes its first stop in Hidalgo, Texas this Saturday for UFC Fight Night 94. As some fighters look to inch closer to contender status in their respective divisions, a number of fighters are in dire need of a victory.
Here are five fighters on the hot seat at UFC Hidalgo:
Michael Johnson
“The Menace” was thought to be the next title challenger at 155 pounds last year when he beat Edson Barboza to earn a fourth straight win. However, later in 2015, the Blackzilians product lost a controversial split decision to Beneil Dariush then follow that up with another decision setback to Nate Diaz where he was a heavy favourite heading into the fight. Injuries have plagued the 30-year-old as he competes this Saturday for the first time in 2016. The TUF 12 finalist’s job security is likely safe, but another loss would undoubtedly set him back even further in a crowded lightweight division. Not to mention Johnson takes on Dustin Poirier, who has looked sensational since moving up to lightweight. Poirier has racked off five straight victories and if Johnson wants to prove he belongs at the top of the lightweight division a win over Poirier would do that.
Uriah Hall
Once unfairly dubbed “the next Anderson Silva” by UFC president Dana White when he competed on The Ultimate Fighter 17, Hall hopes to get back on the winning track against Derek Brunson this Saturday. Hall has struggled with consistency throughout his UFC tenure, earning impressive victories at times and falling flat in others. Hall was slated to face Anderson Silva at UFC 198 before “The Spider” had to withdraw due to an illness. This will be the first time Hall steps into the Octagon this year. He takes on Strikeforce veteran Brunson, who has gone 6-1 in the UFC with four finishes. Hall needs to find the form that saw him earn TKO victories over Gegard Mousasi, Oluwale Bamgbose and Ron Stallings if he wants to prove he’s a contender in the middleweight division.
Roan Carneiro
Even though Carneiro has gone 1-1 since he returned to the UFC in 2015, being 38 years old puts him as candidate for this list. The ATT Atlanta product should have an easier time in this matchup as he drops back down to welterweight where he’s found much greater success. Carneiro faces opponent Kenny Robertson, who hasn’t seen action since a split decision loss to Ben Saunders in July 2015. This is a matchup Carneiro should be competitive in, however if he suffers another quick stoppage loss like he did in his last fight against Derek Brunson don’t be surprised if the UFC cuts ties with the Brazilian.
Sam Sicilia
Sicilia looks to get back on the winning track as he faces off with TUF Latin America contestant Gabriel Benitez. Like Uriah Hall, Sicilia has been plagued with inconstancy in the UFC racking up a 5-5 record. The Sikjitsu product always puts on entertaining fights, but will look to avoid another setback like his last fight where he was knocked out in the first round by Doo Ho Choi at UFC Fight Night 79. Benitiez looks to bounce back from the first TKO loss of his career and aims to find the form that saw him win 10 straight fights from 2009 to 2012. Interestingly enough, both of these fighters will be competing for the first time this year.
Maximo Blanco
Blanco faces off against Texas native Chas Skelly in a featherweight affair. While both fighters are coming off losses, the pressure is mainly on Blanco who hasn’t lived up to the hype that saw him become a standout lightweight fighter for the now-defunct Sengoku promotion. The 32-year-old is coming off a loss to Luke Saunders at UFC Fight Night 81 where he was considering the betting favorite heading into the matchup. Being in his mid-30s and having a 4-4 UFC record, another setback would likely prompt his exit from the UFC.
Here’s a look at the full UFC Fight Night 94 fight card:
MAIN CARD
— Michael Johnson (16-10) vs. Dustin Poirier (20-4)
— Derek Brunson (15-3) vs. Uriah Hall (12-6)
— Albert Morales (6-0) vs. Alejandro Perez (17-6)
— Roan Carneiro (20-10) vs. Kenny Robertson (15-4)
— Islam Makhachev (12-1) vs. Chris Wade (11-2)
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Gabriel Benitez (18-5) vs. Sam Sicilia (15-6)
— Augusto Montano (15-2) vs. Belal Muhammad (9-1)
— Joey Gomez (6-1) vs. Jose Quinonez (4-2)
— Randy Brown (7-1) vs. Erick Montano (7-3)
— Maximo Blanco (12-7-1) vs. Chas Skelly (15-2)
