With UFC 160 in the books, it’s time to start looking at who’s next for the fighters on the main card. I’ll also look at why and when the fights should take place. So now, allow me to play Joe Silva for a moment, and do a little fantasy booking.
Cain Velasquez: Junior dos Santos. With dos Santos’ decisive KO victory over the notoriously titanium-chinned Mark Hunt, he deserves a trilogy bout here. Regardless of how the medicals come back, this is a fight that should be saved for the UFC’s traditional New Years Eve card.
Antonio Silva: The loser of Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan. “Bigfoot” has put himself into Rich Franklin territory, with two losses to the current champion of his weight class. Given that his size won’t allow him to cut down to 205, he will need to be relegated a good distance down the card. So, in order to be rebuilt him, he’s going to have to start by taking on another defeated fighter. With Barry and Jordan scheduled to duke it out next month at UFC 161 in Winnipeg, the time frame lines up for the loser of that match to take on Silva some time in the fall.
Junior dos Santos: Cain Velasquez. Please refer to the previous paragraph on Cain Velasquez.
Mark Hunt: Loser of Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic. After suffering only the fourth knockout loss of his entire combat sports career, Hunt will need a little rebuilding of his own. Once again, UFC 161 has provided us with the answer. Both Miocic and “The Redneck Buddha” are solid heavyweights, and both would provide for an entertaining (and entirely winnable) match up for “the Super Samoan.” I could see the bout taking place as the co-main event of November’s PPV event, or possibly even on the main card of the New Year’s show.
Glover Teixiera: Gegard Mousasi or the winner of Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson. The case for Glover vs. Mousasi is that both men are rising stars in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, and are on the fringes of contention. A bout between these two could certainly provide some fireworks as they are both highly skilled fighters unafraid to bring the hurt to their opponents. The other possible option is the winner of Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson at UFC 161, which would give Teixiera a second win over a name light heavyweight, and in this case, one in the top ten. Either match could work as the main or co-main event for UFC on FX 9.
James Te Huna: Fabio Maldonado. While Maldonado is coming off a win at UFC on FX 8, he did it after receiving a great deal of abuse and will undoubtedly need some recovery time. I also feel that he’s on the right level to help Te Huna rebound from a quick, brutal submission loss like he received at the hands of Glover Teixiera. Don’t be surprised to see it on the FX portion of a preliminary card this fall.
TJ Grant: Benson Henderson. If you knock out Gray Maynard, that’s an accomplishment, and in the crowded UFC lightweight division, it’s something that will help set you apart from the pack. With this victory, the fighting pride of Coal Harbour, NS (As opposed to their hockey pride, Sidney Crosby) has earned himself a shot at the Henderson and his 155 lbs. title. This bout will likely headline August’s inaugural UFC on Fox Sports1 card, but I would like to see it in September at UFC 165, co-headlining with GSP vs. Hendricks. I think both Grant and Henderson deserve some that hype.
Gray Maynard: Nate Diaz. The last time that “the Bully” and the younger Diaz fought, Maynard came out on top with a split decision victory. With both men coming off losses, and me having my doubts about Nate having any chance against the current crop of welterweights, now is the perfect time to book the rematch. This could be on the main card of an upcoming UFC on FS1, or even UFC on Fox event.
Donald Cerrone: Pat Healy. The timing of this one works out quite well, as Healy should be coming off suspension right around the time that Cerrone should be medically cleared to fight again. Both men are coming off big victories (even if Healy’s was turned into a no-contest for his positive test for marijuana metabolites), and I feel that “Cowboy” and “Bam Bam” match up well together.
KJ Noons: Tyson Griffin or Dan Lauzon on a World Series of Fighting card. With his heavy contract, and 5 losses in 6 fights, I don’t expect the UFC to retain “King Karl’s” services following his loss to Donald Cerrone. I do think that he would be a good addition to the World Series of Fighting as he starts the process of rebuilding his career, though.
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