Surprises and Disappointments is a column featured on MMAOddsbreaker.com after every UFC event, highlighting three fighters who had surprising performances and three fighters who disappointed. Here are the three surprises and the three disappointments from UFC Fight Night 41. Surprises CB Dollaway — In another great performance by CB Dollaway, the American defeated Francis Carmont via three-round decision in his breakthrough to the top 15 of the division. Dollaway has now won four of his last five fights and deserves a big step up after looking so good as of late. For his next bout, let’s match him up against Yoel Romero or Costas Philippou. Niklas Backstrom — Despite being an underdog to Tom Niinimaki, Niklas Backstrom had one of the best performances of the night as he tapped out the veteran in the first round with a beautiful rear-naked choke. It was a tremendous performance by Backstrom, who looks like a very good prospect at 145lbs. For his next fight, I’d like for him to fight someone with some Octagon experience, perhaps Felipe Arantes. Peter Sobotta — After three years away from the Octagon, Peter Sobotta made a grand return to the UFC with a clear-cut decision win over Pawel Pawlak. I thought Sobotta looked great and it’s clear he’s improved dramatically since his first UFC run. Look for him to fight another welterweight coming off a win in his next fight, perhaps someone like Jordan Mein. Disappointments Mark Munoz — For the third time in four fights, Mark Munoz was knocked or choked unconscious as Gegard Mousasi tapped him out with a first-round rear-naked choke. I don’t know for sure why Munoz’ career has hit such a sudden downhill slope, but obviously at 36 and coming off two brutal losses he’s not a contender anymore. If he doesn’t retire, look for him to fight someone like Francis Carmont or Brad Tavares next. Vaughan Lee — Coming off the best performance of his career against Nam Phan, many MMA minds thought Vaughan Lee had a shot at upsetting Brazilian Yuri Alcantara. That didn’t happen, though, as Lee was knocked out in brutal fashion in the first round. I don’t know what happened to Lee, but this loss really sets him back in the division. Look for him to fight someone else coming off a loss like Francisco Rivera in his next fight. Pawel Pawlak –Most picked Pawel Pawlak to beat Peter Sobotta in the German’s home town, but Sobotta absolutely dominated the fight from bell to bell and won a clear decision. Pawlak did absolutely nothing during the fight to suggest he’s any sort of prospect, and it’s possible he gets cut after just one fight in the promotion after such a bad performance.
