By Ryan Frederick, WrestlingObserver.com
UFC On FOX 15 wrapped up with a dominating performance from Luke Rockhold as he submitted Lyoto Machida in the second round of the main event with a rear-naked choke, all but assuring him of the top contender status and the next title opportunity. UFC President Dana White was non-committal on who will be next in line, as Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza also had a dominating performance in the night’s co-main event, submitting Chris Camozzi in the first round. They will have to wait until May 23 to find out their fates when UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman defends against challenger Vitor Belfort at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at UFC 187.
Rockhold and Souza were among those scoring big wins on Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey at UFC On FOX 15. The event drew 13,306 fans for a gate of $1.2 million. It ranks 5th out of six events held at the Prudential Center, but this was also the first non-PPV event held in Newark.
Rockhold, Max Holloway, Gian Villante and Corey Anderson were also big winners, all taking home post-fight bonus checks. Rockhold and Holloway earned $50,000 “Performance Of The Night” bonuses while Villante and Anderson earned $50,000 for “Fight Of The Night”. Holloway submitted Cub Swanson in the third round of their featherweight bout while Villante defeated Anderson with just seconds left in their fight by knockout.
Paige VanZant and Ovince Saint Preux were other big winners on the night. VanZant won a decision over Felice Herrig in the opener of the main card while St. Preux knocked out Patrick Cummins in the first round in their light heavyweight bout. St. Preux asked for a fight on the August 8 card in Nashville as he is a former football player from the University Of Tennessee, so there are local ties there.
However, the talk after the show was about the next title shot in the middleweight division, and Rockhold and Souza both made their case.
“This is my show. No offense to Jacare, but I’m the number one contender. I’m the best guy around. I’ve dominated every guy in my path. I’ve beaten Jacare,” said Rockhold at the post-fight press conference.
“Everyone knows Rockhold didn’t beat me the first time. I’m the number one contender. It’s my time,” fired Souza back at Rockhold.
“He wasn’t as fast as I thought he was, so I started to relax a little more, and I started to believe in myself more. He wasn’t going to be able to hit me clean,” said Rockhold of his fight with Machida.
Machida, Herrig and Anderson were transported to the hospital for post-fight check-ups, Dana White confirmed.
Also brought up at the night’s post-fight press conference was White’s statement on the status of the first UFC event in New York.
“I think we’re in a pretty good position. We have a date held in December at the Garden. I expect to use that date. I don’t even have words for what it would be if it doesn’t happen this year.”