Top 5 Fights To Make In The Wake Of UFC Fight Night 77

By Rick LaFitte

Top 5 Fights To Make In The Wake Of UFC Fight Night 77

Vitor Belfort celebrates his UFC Fight Night 77 triumph over Dan Henderson — The UFC’s latest offering in Brazil provided a highly entertaining night of action in Sao Paulo. There were a number of explosive finishes at Fight Night 77 including Vitor Belfort’s first-round stoppage of fellow legend Dan Henderson in the main event. Former light heavyweight title challenger Glover Teixeira and bantamweight Thomas Almeida were also at their destructive best. Here are the Top 5 fights to make in the wake of Fight Night 77.

5. Rashid Magomedov vs. Jim Miller/Michael Chiesa winner

Rashid Magomedov punches Gilbert Burns during lightweight action at UFC Fight Night 77

5. Rashid Magomedov vs. Jim Miller/Michael Chiesa winner

Rashid Magomedov punches Gilbert Burns during lightweight action at UFC Fight Night 77 — Magomedov impressed with his striking skills in handing Gilbert Burns his first career loss by unanimous decision. The talented lightweight is a perfect 4-0 during his Octagon tenure and appears poised for big things. A solid next test for the 31-year-old Russian would be the winner of the Fight Night 80 matchup between Jim Miller and Michael Chiesa. The ultra-tough Miller remains a top-15 contender, while Chiesa is a submission specialist.

4. Corey Anderson vs. Jimi Manuwa

Corey Anderson punishes Fabio Maldonado during light heavyweight action at UFC Fight Night 77

4. Corey Anderson vs. Jimi Manuwa

Corey Anderson punishes Fabio Maldonado during light heavyweight action at UFC Fight Night 77 — Anderson made the most of his short-notice assignment against Fabio Maldonado by producing a dominant unanimous decision victory. The TUF 19 light heavyweight winner should improve upon his no. 14-ranking after the win and is ready for another step up in competition. The explosive no. 8-ranked Manuwa would represent a formidable test even though he's coming off a knockout loss against Anthony Johnson at UFC 191.

3. Glover Teixeira vs. Alexander Gustafsson

Glover Teixeira batters Patrick Cummins at UFC Fight Night 77

3. Glover Teixeira vs. Alexander Gustafsson

Glover Teixeira batters Patrick Cummins at UFC Fight Night 77 — Teixeira used his excellent boxing skills to pick apart Patrick Cummins in the co-main event. The hard-hitting Brazilian badly bloodied his game opponent until the fight was mercifully halted in the second-round. A matchup between Teixeira and fellow former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson would make for an explosive affair. Gustafsson is coming off a tough loss to Daniel Cormier in their championship bout at UFC 192.

2. Thomas Almeida vs. John Lineker

Thomas Almeida punches Anthony Birchak during bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 77

2. Thomas Almeida vs. John Lineker

Thomas Almeida punches Anthony Birchak during bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 77 — Almeida’s stellar stand-up game and remarkable finishing rate have made him one of the 135-pound division’s most exciting performers. He’s knocking on top-5 territory after his devastating first-round stoppage of Anthony Birchak. A clash with fellow Brazilian John Lineker would be as violent a matchup as can be made. “Hands of Stone” is coming off a thrilling win over Francisco Rivera at UFC 191. He possesses tremendous power and a granite chin.

1. Vitor Belfort vs. Anderson Silva 2

Vitor Belfort pummels Dan Henderson during UFC Fight Night 77 trilogy bout

1. Vitor Belfort vs. Anderson Silva 2

Vitor Belfort pummels Dan Henderson during UFC Fight Night 77 trilogy bout — Belfort rebounded from his UFC 187 loss to Chris Weidman by taking out Henderson in their rubber match. It was the second straight time that he employed a head kick to finish off "Hendo". While Belfort still has designs on one more title run, this may be the perfect time for a rematch with former 185-pound kingpin Anderson Silva. Silva is eligible to return from his suspension at the end of January and owns a previous KO win over Belfort.

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