10 reasons to close out 2014 with UFC Fight Night 58

Dana White

Well folks, we made it. The last event of 2014 — event No. 47 of another fast and furious year on the UFC’s calendar. And what a year it’s been, right?

We saw the rise of Tarec Saffiedine as a contender. We thought thought Dominick Cruz was coming back sooner than he was. We witnessed the destruction Ronda Rousey wrought in the women’s bantamweight division. We saw Johny Hendricks claim the title he should have won 13 months ago, and then lose it. We worried as Mauricio “Shogun” Rua continued to slide, and Dan Henderson got ever older. And we wished Antonio “Big Nog” Rodrigo Nogueira would frickin’ retire.

We gasped as T.J. Dillashaw took down the Samba monster, Renan Barao. We groaned as Cain Velasquez got injured yet again and Fabricio Werdum became some kind of champ. We marveled as Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes battled like their lives depended on it. And McGregor, McGregor, McGregor. So much Conor McGregor.

Although it seems to have been a year of the proverbial crap hitting the fan, with injuries, credit downgrades and now a big old class-action lawsuit, we should remember that there have been a ton of good fights. We crowned a new UFC champion in the nascent women’s strawweight division. And we took some positive steps toward a clean sport.

As the UFC’s new trope says, the time is now for the promotion to turn things around on the business front; 2015 is a critical year for bouncing back. They need big fights to fill coffers and beat back debt, and from the looks of the first quarter schedule, the promotion is trying to stack the deck as much as possible. It’s debatable whether they can withstand another 2014 without major restructuring.

So it’s been a challenging year as much as a rewarding one. On Saturday, we close things out with UFC Fight Night 58, a fight card that feels more like a whimper than a bang. Maybe that’s fitting given all the twists and turns, we’ve seen.

Here are 10 reasons to watch UFC Fight Night 58, which takes place at Jose Correa Arena in Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The bulk of the card airs live on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

1. So you had to be a big shot

C.B. Dollaway

Middleweight C.B. Dollaway (15-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) is the Rodney Dangerfield of his division, getting so little respect for the work he’s done in far corners of the world. He put away Cezar Ferreira and Francis Carmont on foreign soil, for one. He’s upset “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” finalist Daniel Sarafian. Good on him for vocalizing his plight and asking for bigger things, because he’s sure got an opportunity.

Beat ex-champ and onetime middleweight title challenger Lyoto Machida (21-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC), and he’s really in position for a title run in 2015. It might take him a few more fights to be taken seriously among the casuals and hardcores, but it’s a heck of a start.

2. The Baron returns

T.J. Dillashaw and Renan Barao

This year didn’t turn out so well for Renan Barao (32-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC). After knocking out Urijah Faber, he was dominated by T.J. Dillashaw and sent packing without his title. A rematch was scrapped when he passed out and hit his head while cutting weight for the rematch. To add insult to injury, he was sent packing without a paycheck (though skeptics will say he probably got a little cash under the table). Barao was the monster for so long, so it’s time for him to prove it again.

Standing in his way is Mitch Gagnon (12-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), who’s won four straight and looked impressive against unheralded competition. It’s upset city or batting practice for the ex-champ.

3. Light heavyweight percolating

Patrick Cummins

Light heavyweight wrestling standout Patrick Cummins (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is past his days as a butt-kicking barista, and after his embarrassment at the hands of former training partner Daniel Cormier, it’s time for him to start building momentum.

With two wins under his belt, he meets “TUF: Brazil 3” winner Antonio Carlos Junior (4-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who looked great on the show but might be in over his head when it comes to the ground game of his opponent. Cummins is still a ways away from a rematch with Cormier, but another few wins, and he’s on his way.

4. Prospect watch

Rashid Magomedov

Former M-1 welterweight champion Rashid Magomedov (17-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and undefeated former Jungle Fight champ Elias Silverio (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) haven’t caught fire yet in their division, but maybe the job of fighting each other will bring out a good scrap.

They’re both prospects, and it’s clear the loser will no longer hold that distinction. For either to break out of the pack, they need a signature win over a unsung hero at 170 pounds, and then the opportunities start to come.

5. No rest for the wicked

Mike Rhodes

Roufusport welterweight Mike Rhodes (6-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) is getting no favors from the UFC. Two fights down in the octagon, he’s now got the task of fighting the dangerous Erick Silva (16-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) on enemy turf.

Silva might be coming off a loss, but his resume looks ominous next to Rhodes.

It’s the type of fight that Silva could easily botch with overconfidence. But it could also be a bad mismatch that sends Rhodes,’ ahem, on the highway.

6. Time for a turnaround

Daniel Sarafian

“TUF: Brazil” finalist Daniel Sarafian’s (8-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) career is in a slump after his strong showing on the reality show.

After a 1-2 run at middleweight, a welterweight debut was spoiled when he was tapped out by the underrated Kiichi Kunimoto.

A meeting with newcomer Antonio dos Santos Jr. (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who like him appears to carry a somewhat padded resume, is perhaps his last chance to keep his job in the UFC.

7. Resume builder

Igor Pokrajac

Light heavyweight Marcos Rogerio de Lima (12-2-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) fell short on “TUF: Brazil 3.”

However, he rebounded in a big way with a 20-second knockout of fellow castmate Richardson Moreira in his pro debut.

With a 4-0-1 record in recent fights and nine knockouts, it’s safe to say the returning Igor Pokrajac (25-11 MMA, 4-6 UFC) is going to be in trouble if he can’t weather the early storm.

8. Undefeated Jungle Fight champ debuts

Tom Niinimaki

Interim Jungle Fight featherweight champ Renato Carneiro (8-0-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is about to take a big step up in competition. Already, he’s beaten a UFC vet in Iliarde Santos. But he hasn’t faced opponents with as much overall experience as Tom Niinimaki (21-7-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC), who’s underperformed in recent performances, losing two via rear-naked choke.

But he’s due for a rebound.

Carneiro owns for wins by way of submission, so he would be wise to exploit an apparent gap in his opponent’s defense.

9. Do damage

Darren Elkins

No-frills featherweight Darren Elkins (18-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) is still on the comeback road after a five-fight winning streak gave way to a pair of losses to high-profile 145-pounders Chad Mendes and Jeremy Stephens.

After a recent win over standout Lucas Martins in hostile territory, he’ll take on another though Brazilian in Hacran Dias (21-3-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC), who should be fighting his heart out with two recent losses to overcome.

10. Latest RFA import

Vitor Miranda

Former RFA middleweight champ Jake Collier (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) certainly looks promising heading into his octagon debut, having earned six of his eight wins by first-round finish. “TUF: Brazil 3” veteran Vitor Miranda (9-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) made a big impression on the show as a former K-1 kickboxer and is looking to rebound from a loss in the finale against Carlos Junior.

It could be a perfect time for Collier to test out his ground skills against Miranda, but you never know.

For more on UFC Fight Night 58, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.