MFC 20 provides look to future for several top fighters

So there are 10 questions posed before each and every show in the Maximum Fighting Championship - 10 little snippets that inquiring minds what to know. Are there answers to each one after the smoke has cleared?

Sometimes there are and sometimes not, but most definitely what does arise are more
questions.

What we saw at MFC 20: Destined for Greatness were a variety of interesting situations - some on an individual basis and others in a more pack-like scenario. As an example, on an individual basis, just what is left for former MFC light heavyweight champion Roger "The Hulk" Hollett?

 

He has lost three of his last four including a five-rounder for his title during which he showed nothing of his former imposing, threatening, predator-like prowess that earned him the title in the first place. He was submitted in quick fashion by David Heath at MFC 20 and again failed to impose his will like he had done so many times previously. Was it all smoke and mirrors when Hollett disposed of previous opposition? Was he destroying foes who simply couldn't hang at the same level and now that the level of opponent has shot up Hollett can't hang with them? True he got caught by Heath - it happens all the time - but there has been little to no fire burning within "The Hulk" in two straight and that's not a good sign.

  As for the pack-like scenario, what is now to come for the next wave of
challengers in two of the MFC's most well-respected divisions - welterweight
and lightweight?

  At 170, Pat Healy admirably defended his title at MFC 20 with a second
consecutive win over Ryan Ford who was far and away the No. 1 contender. But now that Ford has fallen short, who is next to step up and challenge Healy?
It might very well have been Paul Daley but his loss to Nick Thompson and his frustrating inability to make the weight cut properly have hampered any prospective title shot for the British brawler. The search will be on for Healy's next top challenger. As for Ford, it's time to rebuild again. He was smarter in some ways the second time around against the champ but the rationale behind his desire not to follow the laid-out game plan is baffling. Ford hardly falls far down the ladder but he still will have to put another string of wins together and hope that someone can knock Healy off his perch as a third go-round with "Bam Bam" isn't likely in the cards.

  In the lightweight ranks, Antonio McKee promised to be more exciting and he
was . to a degree. But it wasn't quite what was hoped for although his
determination to be the champion was unquestionable and he backed it up with
a strong effort in defeating Derrick Noble. The MFC is quite deep at 155 so
McKee is sure to get a reasonable challenge before the end of the summer.

  As for Noble, he looked reluctant to engage and fire off his hands despite
nearly ending the fight in Round 1 with a head kick that put McKee on his butt. Noble will be back in the mix but he'll have to figure out a new approach should he face McKee one more time.

  Other questions and answers that come to mind from MFC 20 - almost all of
which revolve around what's next for the winners. Take Bryan Baker for one.
Baker was nearly submitted by Rory Singer but then disposed of Singer in
resounding style late in Round 1. With the middleweight title up for grabs (as Patrick Cote will graciously step aside for a new belt-holder) Baker is definitely a frontrunner for a crack at the gold though it will take one more convincing win - hopefully at MFC 21 - to give him a lock at the title shot. Might his rival for the belt be Solomon Hutcherson? The onetime reality show competitor has never looked better than in his dramatic three-round war with Dave Mewborn at MFC 21 and if he can heal up some nagging injuries, he could be a serious threat at 185.

  And what of David Heath, who looked so impressive in tapping out Hollett in
less than three minutes - an effort that rightfully earned him Submission of the Night honors. Heath looked to be back in the form that made him an attractive figure for the MFC to acquire and not like the guy who was outgunned by Emanuel Newton who would go on to become the light heavyweight champ with his win over Hollett.

  As for the next wave, there is lots of promise in some upcoming fighters who
are steadily showing more and more growth. One at the front of that pack is
Ryan Machan, who somewhat surprisingly dispatched of Simon Marini in tidy
form, needing less than five minutes to get it done. Machan called out his claim for a title shot but it's clear by the level of fighters now competing in the MFC's lightweight ranks and in turn by the level of competition that Machan has faced to date, he's still a ways off from a crack at McKee. If Machan can get matched up against Noble, Ariel Sexton or another of the accomplished fighters in the mix and still come through unscathed, then he may very well deserve that chance at the belt.

  And speaking of likable young guns, Evan Sanguin, who like Machan is out of
Jason MacDonald's camp, is another up-and-comer on the rise but he too still
needs more seasoning. I like Sanguin's chances better as a featherweight, and as lean as he looked at 155, he claims he can easily make 145. If he truly can make the cut with no problem, Sanguin - now a two-time winner of the Knockout of the Night honors - really could be someone to watch.

  RUMOR MILL: Notable by his absence at MFC 20 was popular light heavyweight Aron Lofton. The Oklahoma product is a good bet to return at MFC 21 - possibly against a former competitor from an MMA reality show. With a
convincing victory, Lofton could very well get into the 205-pound title picture . Could "The Natural" be on his way back to the MFC? Despite a dramatic loss to Paul Daley, John Alessio is in talks with the MFC about getting into the welterweight mix now that the No. 1 contender spot for Pat Healy's belt is up for grabs.