The UFC just had their recent pay-per-view the other night, and it had its fair share of drama. From Yoel Romero not making weight for his title fight to Li Jingliang gouging the eyes of his opponent, it was certainly a night to remember. However, fighters fight, and each one of these warriors are seeking a willing dance partner. Although I’m not likely to get every matchup right, here are a few possible fights for these people, and I hope you agree with most of them.
Daichi Abe vs. Bryan Barberena
Daichi Abe came up short in just his second UFC fight, his first loss under the promotion. Who else is coming off of a loss? Bryan “Bam Bam” Barberena. They’re both looking to get back on the horse, and while Barberena has had many more UFC fights than Abe, I think it would be a competitive fight that would likely go to decision.
Luke Jumeau vs. Bobby Nash
Luke Jumeau came up victorious against Abe on the 221 card, and therefore earned a bit of a bigger name. Bobby Nash could be that name. While he has yet to get a win in the Octagon, going 0-3, he still has a following, and brings fight of the night potential into every one of his bouts. This is a true toss up fight, and could be a standup battle until the final bell. If Nash gets another shot in the UFC, “The Jedi” would be my pick for his do-or-die career moment.
Teruto Ishihara vs. Joe Soto
The fan favorite ladies’ man Teruto Ishihara dropped another big fight at UFC 221, this making his second straight. Someone else on a two fight losing streak that fans know is Joe Soto. Teru does tend to hop around divisions for each of his fights, but I think he could make Bantamweight his home for the time being. Both of these fighters bring it every time, and with their UFC future on the line, they’re both sure to put on a show for the fans.
Jose Quinonez vs. Eddie Wineland
Jose Quinonez picked up his fourth straight UFC win against Ishihara, and I think he deserves something big next. Wineland is a former WEC champion, a ranked opponent and an all around dangerous man. These two would give the fans a striking battle to remember, and I would be excited to see who comes out on top.
Mizuto Hirota vs. Matt Frevola
Hirota was on the receiving end of a decision that snapped Ross Pearson’s four fight losing streak, and that’s never a good place to be. Frevola could be a great opponent, as both fighters would have a chance to get back on their feet. Frevola is coming off of a hard knockout loss in his UFC debut, and with Hirota having just dropped one as well, it could be even for both fighters. They have similar builds, and while Frevola is more of a grappler, he always brings the heat in the standup as well.
Ross Pearson vs. Scott Holtzman
It’s clear that Ross Pearson can’t compete with the top Lightweights in the world anymore, but can still pull out a win over a young competitor trying to make a name for himself. Holtzman isn’t really a killer in the division, and could use a name like Pearson to put himself in a position for a bigger fight. This is a matchup that I don’t see a clear victor in, and I think that it’s a logical step for both fighter’s careers.
Ben Nguyen vs. Dustin Ortiz
Ben Nguyen might have gotten finished in his last fight, but man what a fight that was. With Flyweight being such a shallow division, I think fighting the person ranked directly below him makes sense, and could prime either fighter for a future title fight. If Nguyen beats Ortiz, he has a title fight waiting in the future, and the same goes for Ortiz. They both have knockout power, and are no strangers on the ground. I feel like this is the best direction for both fighters, and the outcome of the fight could easily go to either person.
Jussier Formiga vs. Sergio Pettis
This is the same kind of matchup as Ben Nguyen vs. Dustin Ortiz, but for a much different reason. Sergio Pettis is the highest ranked opponent that Formiga hasn’t lost to yet, and if he wants to get the next title shot, he needs to win this fight. This is the only fight that really makes sense for him right now, and if he defeats Pettis in the same fashion he beat Nguyen, then he will undoubtedly get the next crack at Demetrious Johnson.
Jeremy Kennedy vs. Jason Knight
Jeremy Kennedy just lost his undefeated record, so he needs some competition that’s a notch down from who he just faced. Someone else who has had a string of bad luck is Mississippi’s Jason Knight, who is currently on a two fight losing streak. These two could be a good match for each other, both having similar builds, and a lacking stand up game. This could be an interesting and exciting ground battle, and put one of these men back on the track towards the top fifteen.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Enrique Barzola
Volkanovski just extended his win streak to a ridiculous fourteen fights, and needs a fighter that could possibly snap that streak. Barzola could be that person. He’s extremely well rounded and big for the division, as well as having fought tougher competition thus far than “The Great.” This is a fight where no matter who wins, the fans will certainly get a show.
Rob Wilkinson vs. Johny Hendricks
It’s quite clear that Rob Wilkinson and Johny Hendricks aren’t on the same level, and that’s what both fighters need. They’re both powerful wrestlers, and Hendricks has lost his last two fights because he’s been paired against powerful strikers. Wilkinson lost his fight against Israel Adesanya because he was a powerful striker. Putting these two together could give Wilkinson the fire he needs to win the fight, and Hendricks the right style of opponent to come out victorious.
Israel Adesanya vs. Alessio Di Chirico
These are two powerful, accurate strikers, and there is no way that this fight would end up on the ground. One of these fighters would get knocked out, most likely in the first round, in a battle that the fans are sure to love. They both have a similar stature, and while Di Chirico may have a better clinch game, I see this fight as being dead even.
Damien Brown vs. Damir Hadzovic
In the UFC, the rule of thumb is usually three strikes and you’re out. Damien Brown just reached his third straight loss. However, I feel like Brown should get another chance. He’s an absolute warrior, more often than not getting fight of the night for each of his outings. Someone who would be a difficult matchup for the striker brown would be Damir Hadzovic, a decorated grappler. It might not be fight of the night, but it would be a chance for Brown to prove that he still belongs in the UFC.
Dong Hyun Kim vs. David Teymur
Both fighters are on a hefty win streak, both are dangerous strikers, and both know how to take a punch. I feel like this is the next logical step for both fighters, and whoever wins deserves a crack at the top fifteen.
Saparbek Safarov vs. Marcel Fortuna
Saparbek Safarov suffered his second straight loss against a ranked opponent on the main card of UFC 221, and that raised a lot of questions for me. Safarov dominated the competition outside of the UFC, but does that mean he should keep fighting ranked opponents until he gets cut? That’s where Fortuna steps in. He also has two straight losses in the UFC, but has shown major potential to win fights in the promotion, as has Saparbek. Whichever fighter loses this fight will likely leave the UFC, and that is sure to light a fire under both of them.
Tyson Pedro vs. Gian Villante
Tyson Pedro gave us a throwback submission in his latest performance, pulling off a brilliant farside kimura, and that should give him a bigger opponent. Gian Villante is a bigger opponent, both in terms of status and size. They both have wins over Safarov and are ranked close to each other, so if they are to fight, I would imagine it being an extremely close contest.
Li Jingliang vs. Sergio Moraes
Despite a blatant and disgusting eye gouge, Li won fight of the night at 221, and should still get a notable opponent in his next fight. Sergio Moraes just picked up a split decision over Tim Means, albeit debatably undeserved, and could add Li’s name to the list of Welterweight contenders he’s beaten. As long as this fight doesn’t happen in Brazil, it should be a good contest, and I think it would be a standup war to a decision.
Jake Matthews vs. Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman is ranked in the UFC, yet he’s never fought a ranked opponent. If he’s going to stick with that trend, let’s give him Jake Matthews. Give him the toughest unranked guy in the UFC, and see whether or not he deserves to have that number by his name. It would be a classic striker verses grappler match, and while both fighters are well rounded, I think the victor will be who can impose their will the most.
Cyril Asker vs. Chase Sherman
Cyril Asker suffered a tough loss to a dangerous striker, so the best thing for him to do is try to pick up a win against a different dangerous striker. Chase Sherman is an absolute beast, and Asker beating him would tell the rest of the division that it was Tai Tuivasa’s skill that succeeded in that fight, and not any weakness on his part. On the other hand, could Sherman replicate Tuivasa’s performance? There’s only one way to find out.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Walt Harris
Where do I even start with Tai Tuivasa? There is so much hype behind this kid that he might get a title shot within the next couple of years, but he has to face much stiffer competition to do so. Walt Harris is a powerful wrestler with good kicks, and much like Tuivasa, can knock your lights out with one punch. What can Tai do off of his back? Can he stuff a takedown? How well does he recover after he gets rocked? I feel like we would get these answers if he fought Harris, and this would be the biggest fight of his career.
Mark Hunt vs. Timothy Johnson
Mark Hunt, yet again, got held down by a wrestler. Without a doubt, the UFC will give him another wrestler next. I think a fight with Timothy Johnson, who I believe has a better chin than Curtis Blaydes, could shed light on whether or not it’s time for Hunt to hang it up. If he can’t beat someone ranked so far below him because he can’t stuff a takedown, then the oldest fighter on the roster should probably spend the rest of his middle aged years with his family.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Alistair Overeem
Curtis Blaydes beat Mark Hunt, and in doing so, broke into the top five. Now we’re starting to talk about him fighting for the title. To find out if he has what it takes, he has to fight Overeem. He’s just as lethal of a striker as Mark Hunt is, except you can’t hold him down. Blaydes will have to stand with him, and when he does, we’ll see if he’s next in line for the belt or not.
Luke Rockhold vs. Derek Brunson
Once again, Luke Rockhold lost to somebody on short notice that he absolutely wasn’t supposed to lose to, because of one powerful left hand. Derek Brunson is also coming off of a loss, and has the most powerful left hand in the division. Both of these guys are scrambling to get back into title contention, and they will have to go through each other to do it.
Yoel Romero vs. Kelvin Gastelum
I don’t care that Yoel Romero knocked out the number two guy in the world, he missed weight. It was yet another performance called into question because of Yoel’s questionable practices. Not to mention, Robert Whittaker is still battling back from a near death experience, so why not just give him Gastelum? They’re both well rounded, big punchers, and the fight could be easily won by either man with one punch.
