We all know he is a grappler on another level in terms of control and subs (his RNC has done well for him thus far) but he's also a big light heavy, and needs to be tested next. Who would you have him in with next? King Mo would be a good choice IMO, pretty decent stand-up and a good wrestler. Coming off a loss and at the top of the SF rankings. Still injured? Or too big a step up? Babalu? Experienced but clearly seen better days.
Prangley was a quality test at this stage. He beat Jardine who was going tooth and nail with the UFCs finest. Babalu would be a great test. Roger needs to imrpove his hands and he has done. Babalu has good hands and good jits. Sounds like a smaller Roger. I wonder if Babalu would go to the ground with Roger or keep it standing cos he feels he is superior there.
Speed is going to be a problem for Roger. He needs a little more development before they start putting him in with decent strikers with good speed.
It's too soon for Babalu and King Mo in my opinion, I'd like to see him get another two or three fights under his belt before he takes on former title holders. Fights with the likes of Antwain Britt or Abongo Humphrey would be competitive and let him develop. Maybe Mike Kyle or OSP if he wants another step up. I wouldn't mind seeing him in with Rhadi Ferguson either. Battle of the grappling prospects.
Kyle is a good shout IMO. Pretty intriguing fighter thus far, he'd definitely be better off working completely on stand-up for a while, even just defensive stuff so he doesn't get blown out for being clueless. Would suck for him if he was a light-heavy Aoki Demien Maia has done alright fo himself, no reason why Roger can't do well IMO.
http://mobile.bloodyelbow.com/2011/...ger-gracie-isnt-even-a-light-heavyweight-rani pretty interesting article on the one-dimensional aspect.
Randleman was a test, Prangley was a stepup now its the logical move to stepup agian. Guys like Babalu, King Mo, Mousasi are all waiting for a fight in this division. Roger only has but 4 MMA fights but I feel its time for the big fights, this guy has been fighting at the highest levels on the grappling scene for many years now.
He is probably no different to Brock. Excellent in one area but will learn enough to execute that one dimension. If Roger grapples, he'll have no fear so he'll work non stop on his striking but even in fight 4 it doesn't look like he is scared to strike. They need to put him in with good strikers who aren't devastating. That is why I think Babalu fits the mould nicely. He is a good boxer but not outstanding or particularly devastating.
Roger's basic striking actually didn't look too bad for somebody who has only been at it for a short amount of time.
They probably want to give him a name so i could see him fighting Babalu but I would rather they didn't rush him too much, even though he has shown he is stepping it up in competition quickly. Ovince St Preux is on a good win streak and an interesting stylistic match up, or Mike Kyle would be a tough fight, he was meant to fight him at some point I think.
He really needs to keep working with GSP and work on a good striking/wrestling blend. If he is able to takedown effectively as a counter to strikes he can REALLY go far in MMA.
So would I but I question if even Babalu would want to go to the ground with him if he thinks he could outstrike him. You would need a pretty special wrestler with some serious jits knowledge to control him and not get caught. Perhaps ground and pound him while having the ability to aware of subs. Roger is probably the best in the world at jits but might turn out to be the best in MMA too. Maia and Jacare are his bitches