Fights To Make After UFC 132

By Raphael Garcia

In what may shape up to be the best UFC event of the year, UFC 132 brought the house down with amazing fights throughout the evening. From the opening seconds of the first fight through the main event, fans were provided with stunning knockouts, tight submissions and tough decisions. While hard to top, Zuffa matchmakers will surely try their best to put together future event cards as stellar as UFC 132.

Urijah Faber vs. Dominick Cruz
Regardless of what the judges’ cards said at the end of the bout, this fight was very tight throughout the majority of its twenty five minutes. Displaying impressive cardio and technical footwork, Dominick Cruz was able to outpoint Urijah Faber and gain revenge for his 2007 loss. Faber was not without his high points though, as he scored with multiple knockdowns during the fight, and even took the champion down, but was unable to control the action on the mat.

This fight had the potential to be a classic from the moment it was announced. Unfortunately it was not given the “Ultimate Fighter” buildup to allow fans to get to know both Faber and Cruz during a televised season of the reality show. However, after Saturday night’s events, I sincerely hope that Faber-Cruz III is made, and is preceded by some sort of UFC special, so that these fighters receive the limelight that they both deserve.

Tito Ortiz vs. the loser of Phil Davis/Rashad Evans
Tito Ortiz shocked mixed martial arts fans and experts with his win at UFC 132. By submitting Ryan Bader, not only did he save his job as a UFC fighter, but he also reminded people why he was once the longest-reigning light heavyweight champion, and a major personality within he sport. While no one is going to say he’s “back,” Ortiz definitely went a long way towards proving that he still has the ability to compete.

When Phil Davis and Rashad Evans meet in Philadelphia next month, it will be to determine the next contender for the 205-pound title. While the loser will take a step back, either fighter would pose an interesting matchup for Ortiz.

Evans and Ortiz have business to settle from their 2007 matchup, which had Ortiz winning until he was docked a point for grabbing onto the cage. From that point Evans made himself into a title holder and contender, while Ortiz fell to the wayside. This matchup would be easily marketable for the UFC. As for a matchup with Phil Davis, the UFC would have what they hoped to have in Bader, a youthful contender set to resume his push towards a title with a victory over a former champion and legend. Either way, Ortiz increased his worth within the UFC, and deserves to have a push that reflects the situation.

Melvin Guillard vs. the loser of Benson Henderson/Jim Miller
Melvin Guillard walked into the cage and did exactly what he told everyone he would do: knock Shane Roller out. With an athleticism that’s fascinating to watch, Guillard quickly moved around the cage, catching his opponent with stunning shots seemingly at will. It was apparent that the end was going to come soon, and did at 2:12 into the first round. Guillard stated that he was “bunched in” with the top tier of UFC lightweights, and should be matched with a potential contender next.

Henderson-Miller is set up to be the title eliminator for one of these individuals. While the winner would go on to face the winner of the Frankie Edgar-Gray Maynard championship fight, the loser would be a strong test for the surging Guillard. Both Miller and Henderson have the grappling abilities that have been shown to be Guillard’s weakness, but on the feet only Henderson would be able to push the pace enough to win this fight. Either way, the lightweight rankings would be well served if this matchup were created.

Carlos Condit vs. Charlie Brenneman
Carlos Condit handed Dong Hyun Kim his first career defeat, and did so in impressive fashion, with a flying knee followed by multiple shots to the face. With this victory he has placed himself two fights outside of the number one title contender’s slot. With both BJ Penn and Jon Fitch declaring that they want to settle their unfinished business from months ago, Charlie Brenneman would pose a nice challenge for Condit in the meantime.

Brenneman became the darling of the MMA world with his win over Rick Story at UFC Live 4, and placed himself in the top ten of the UFC’s welterweight division. A fight against Condit would be a step in the right direction, to determine if he truly is the contender that everyone seems to believe he has become.

Chris Leben vs. Mark Munoz
All it took was 27 seconds for Leben to dispose of the individual he claimed he idolized. In a flash, Leben landed two left hands that dropped Wanderlei Silva and left him prone on the floor of the Octagon. Once an afterthought to the upper echelon of the middleweight division, Leben has continued to develop into more than just a potent gatekeeper. A matchup against heavy-handed Mark Munoz would be an action-packed affair that would move one of these competitors a step closer to a title shot.

Leben is known for his powerful striking that can quickly end a fight, however he also has the grapping chops that could bother a powerful wrestler as Munoz. Munoz is coming off of a controversial victory over the fighter that many consider to be the best submission artist in MMA, Demian Maia, and was able to avoid his attacks on the ground. Fighting against Leben would be a tough task because his durability and prowess in more than one area would pose a stiff challenge for the “Filipino Wrecking Machine.”