UFC 140 was an exciting night of action, potentially the best mixed martial arts event of the year. Now that the year is just about finished when it comes to fighting action, here are some potential fights that can build on what went down in Toronto.
Jon Jones vs. the winner of Rashad Evans/Phil Davis
Jon Jones is well on his way to cleaning out the light heavyweight division. Last year the discussion was about how volatile the weight class was, as it seemed that none of the fighters who would win the belt could find a way to hold on to it. Now, it seems like fighters will have a hard time finding a way to loosen the grip that Jones has placed on the belt.
The fight with Rashad Evans has been a long time coming. For the past year the UFC has been hinting that the two former teammates are now bitter enemies, and that the bout must happen. Yet first, Evans must get by another “young gun” in Phil Davis. With that fight set to take place in January on Fox, and Jones wanting to take four to five months off, the timing would work to name the winner as the next title challenger.
While both Evans and Davis have the skills on paper to place Jones on his back, the question would be whether either possesses sufficient striking to get into range. Most likely, neither one of them would be able to do enough damage to place Jones in a bad enough position to be taken down or finished. Jones displayed the ability to stop a strong wrestler when he defeated Ryan Bader and he would prepare for this bout in the same manner. Evans would be the tougher contest, but either way I see Jones coming out on top.
Frank Mir vs. Cain Velasquez
Frank Mir may be the best submission artist in the heavyweight division. He’s dangerous on top and from the bottom at any point during a fight. As he displayed at UFC 140, when he gets ahold of a limb there is a good chance that either you will tap, or he’s going to break it. However, his striking is still the question mark that raises doubts about whether he can return to the top of the division.
While the UFC rarely pairs winners against losers, a fight against Cain Velasquez would be an important matchup. Mir has consistently remained at or near the outskirts of top contendership in the weight class. Velasquez, on the other hand, is need of a big win to rebound from his recent loss to Junior dos Santos.
As for the fight itself, Velasquez should be able to stop Mir from strikes, and do so early. Mir has a hard time against anyone who can effectively strike while not getting lured into his grappling game. I see Velasquez standing in front of Mir, blasting him until he drops, and finishing with ground and pound.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Dan Henderson
Both Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Dan Henderson are in peculiar positions in the UFC light heavyweight division. One has to question which contenders in the 205-pound weight class Nogueira would be able to defeat. While his striking was capable enough to stop Tito Ortiz in spectacular fashion at UFC 140, questions remain about how well it would serve him against the upper echelon of the weight class.
Henderson is coming off of a spectacular win over Mauricio Rua in what may have been the fight of the year. He’s in a position to demand just about any fight that he wants, and it’s very clear that he wants a title shot against either Jones or Anderson Silva. While I don’t think he will get that request granted as quickly as he’d like, matching him against another former Pride standout, a fighter who has defeated him in the past, writes its own storyline.
This fight would likely see Henderson stop Nogueira by a vicious knockout. Nogueira would try to stand with Hendo, only to get caught by that massive right hand that has put so many men down over the years.
Chan Sung Jung vs. Mike Brown
The saying “Respect All, Fear None” comes to mind when I think of the way Chan Sung Jung defeated Mark Hominick. “The Machine” leapt in with a wild two-punch combo that left him wide open for the counter punch that dropped him in less than ten seconds, apparently tying the record for fastest MMA bout in history. The “Korean Zombie” seemed like he even shocked himself during his victory celebration.
I would like to see UFC matchmakers pair him up with Mike Brown for his next contest. Brown jumped head first into 2011, taking two fights in a span of 21 days in January, both of which he lost. He returned to the cage in August to defeat Nam Phan, and then proceeded to take the rest of the year off. His phone should now be ringing, as a fight against Jung would be a great featherweight contest for early 2012.
Jung used his striking to put on a memorable fight with Leonard Garcia while he was in the World Extreme Cagefighting organization, but many people forget about his grappling abilities. Brown is a powerful wrestler who can take down anyone in the 145-pound weight class, and use his strength to stifle their submission attempts. Brown would likely win this contest by a three-round decision.
Click here to rate the fights of UFC 140.
Even if Evans or Davis do manage to close the distance, I don't see them finishing a takedown against Jones. They MIGHT have the better technical wrestling, but I see Jones' leverage as being too much of an advantage.
I don't think Mir's striking is only question against Cain. Lesnar showed that a good wrestler can put Mir on his back on pin him down from half guard.
I wouldn't call Henderson win over Rua spectacular, even if the fight itself was.
Unless Brown can drastically change course, I don't see him beating Jung.
I'd prefer to see Chan Sung Jung face off against Hatsu Hioki, in what would be a clear title eliminator. Jung has already picked up a bit of a fan following, and a win over another top UFC feathereight would give him just the momentum he needs.
As for Jon Jones, I'd pair him with Rashad if he is victorious, but Hendo would be my clear second choice, even if Davis wins. Perhaps another showcase fight for Mr. Wonderful would help get fans invested in the idea of him as a title contender, but Dan Henderson has more of a resume, and a reputation for winning as the underdog.
I also wouldn't risk the Cain Velasquez rematch with JDS by putting him against Mir straight away. He could probably use a tune-up fight. As for an opponent for Mir, how about the winner of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix? I'm especially intrigued at the idea of Mir-Barnett.
Speaking of Strikeforce fighters, I think the time is right to get Gegard Mousasi in the Octagon. If that is possible, I'd like to see him get his shot gainst Lil Nog. If not Mousasi, Gustaffson would also represent a nice opponent.
I hardly see how a Jung deserves a shot against Hioki, not that I wouldn't mind seeing Hioki wipe the floor with Jung. It wasn't that long ago that Jung got KO'd by Roop.
What if DC is wins the GP? He won't fight Cain. And if Cain can't beat Mir, oh well.