Fight Fixin’ was once
a regular column at theScore.com, but has now been transplanted to
MMARatings.net. It will come out after each big UFC and Strikeforce
event and feature possible matchups for every main card winner from the
previous night.
CARLOS CONDIT
Although Carlos Condit may have lost to UFC welterweight
champion Georges St-Pierre in the main event of UFC 154, he won the hearts of
so many fans with his daring performance, one in which he nearly knocked out
the long-time champ with a head kick in the third round. The fight proved that
Condit’s truly the No. 2 welterweight in the world, but with other contenders
climbing the ranks, he’ll need to string together a batch of wins if he ever
hopes to get a rematch with St-Pierre.
champion Georges St-Pierre in the main event of UFC 154, he won the hearts of
so many fans with his daring performance, one in which he nearly knocked out
the long-time champ with a head kick in the third round. The fight proved that
Condit’s truly the No. 2 welterweight in the world, but with other contenders
climbing the ranks, he’ll need to string together a batch of wins if he ever
hopes to get a rematch with St-Pierre.
Although it might not make sense rankings-wise, I want to
see Condit fight Thiago Alves in his next fight. Both men are incredible
strikers and it’s likely this fight would be three or five rounds of non-stop
action. Although Condit is the superior all-around fighter and although Alves
is on a skid, stylistically the fight makes a lot of sense, and it would be the
perfect headliner for an FX card.
see Condit fight Thiago Alves in his next fight. Both men are incredible
strikers and it’s likely this fight would be three or five rounds of non-stop
action. Although Condit is the superior all-around fighter and although Alves
is on a skid, stylistically the fight makes a lot of sense, and it would be the
perfect headliner for an FX card.
Fight to make: Carlos Condit vs. Thiago Alves
MARTIN KAMPMANN
Martin Kampmann was knocked out in just 46 seconds by the
heavy-handed Johny Hendricks in the co-main event, a loss that proved that
Kampmann is no title contender just yet. Still, though, Hendricks has knocked
out many fighters, so while this loss is a temporary setback for Kampmann, it’s
not the end of the world.
heavy-handed Johny Hendricks in the co-main event, a loss that proved that
Kampmann is no title contender just yet. Still, though, Hendricks has knocked
out many fighters, so while this loss is a temporary setback for Kampmann, it’s
not the end of the world.
For his next fight, I want Kampmann to fight Nick Diaz.
Since Kampmann’s going to out for a while with a medical suspension, and since
Diaz won’t be licensed until February 2013, the timing is right to make this
fight sometime in the spring. In a bout between two excellent strikers who have
savvy submission games, Kampmann vs. Diaz has the potential to be the best
fight of the year.
Since Kampmann’s going to out for a while with a medical suspension, and since
Diaz won’t be licensed until February 2013, the timing is right to make this
fight sometime in the spring. In a bout between two excellent strikers who have
savvy submission games, Kampmann vs. Diaz has the potential to be the best
fight of the year.
Fight to make: Martin Kampmann vs. Nick Diaz
TOM LAWLOR
Tom Lawlor lost a hotly-contested split decision to Francis Carmont, a disappointing defeat that evens up his UFC record to 4-4. Not only
that, but the fight was boring, so Lawlor could very well be released by the
UFC despite his colourful personality. Still, though, I’d like if he got one
more shot in the big time.
that, but the fight was boring, so Lawlor could very well be released by the
UFC despite his colourful personality. Still, though, I’d like if he got one
more shot in the big time.
Although a logical matchup would have been Jason “Mayhem”Miller, he’s not in the UFC any longer, and so Lawlor should be matched up with
another solid wrestler in Clifford Starks, who hasn’t fought since a submission
loss to Ed Herman at UFC 143. The Starks/Herman fight was a lot of fun, and
there’s the possibility Lawlor vs. Starks would be, too, although it could be a
boring wrestling match depending on how both guys try to fight.
another solid wrestler in Clifford Starks, who hasn’t fought since a submission
loss to Ed Herman at UFC 143. The Starks/Herman fight was a lot of fun, and
there’s the possibility Lawlor vs. Starks would be, too, although it could be a
boring wrestling match depending on how both guys try to fight.
Fight to make: Tom Lawlor vs. Clifford Starks
MARK BOCEK
Mark Bocek was dominated by Rafael dos Anjos on Saturday
night, a loss that will drop him even further down the ladder in the deep UFC
lightweight division. The fight wasn’t entertaining, and Bocek did nothing
aside from try to push dos Anjos against the cage, and with a fighting style
that the fans don’t like, Bocek needs to seriously consider making changes in
his game if he intends to ever make a run for the title.
night, a loss that will drop him even further down the ladder in the deep UFC
lightweight division. The fight wasn’t entertaining, and Bocek did nothing
aside from try to push dos Anjos against the cage, and with a fighting style
that the fans don’t like, Bocek needs to seriously consider making changes in
his game if he intends to ever make a run for the title.
But he’s still a great BJJ guy, and it’d be smart to match
him up with another good grappler with mediocre standup in Terry Etim, who is
coming off the brutal KO loss to Edson Barboza at UFC 142. Etim was supposed to
fight Joe Lauzon at UFC on FOX 4, but was forced to pull out with an injury.
But he should be back fairly soon, and Bocek would be a good matchup for him to
try and get back on track.
him up with another good grappler with mediocre standup in Terry Etim, who is
coming off the brutal KO loss to Edson Barboza at UFC 142. Etim was supposed to
fight Joe Lauzon at UFC on FOX 4, but was forced to pull out with an injury.
But he should be back fairly soon, and Bocek would be a good matchup for him to
try and get back on track.
Fight to make: Mark Bocek vs. Terry Etim
MARK HOMINICK
Mark Hominick picked up his fourth straight loss in the UFC
with a decision setback to Pablo Garza in the pay-per-view opener, and it’s
unknown what his future holds, as UFC president Dana White was non-committal
when asked about it at the event’s post-fight press conference. It’s possible
the 30-year old Hominick could retire to focus on his family, if the UFC
doesn’t just outright release him altogether.
with a decision setback to Pablo Garza in the pay-per-view opener, and it’s
unknown what his future holds, as UFC president Dana White was non-committal
when asked about it at the event’s post-fight press conference. It’s possible
the 30-year old Hominick could retire to focus on his family, if the UFC
doesn’t just outright release him altogether.
But Hominick is one of Canada’s favourite sons when it comes
to MMA, and the promotion should give him the Dan Hardy treatment, and give him
one last fight if he chooses to keep fighting. At this point, it’s unknown if
Hominick can defeat any UFC featherweight, considering he lost to Garza and
Eddie Yagin, but one guy who he should be competitive with his Jason Young, who
has lost three of four in the UFC, and who was knocked out badly by Robert Peralta in his last fight. Both Hominick and Young like to stand and bang, so
this would be an exciting fight if the UFC is kind enough to give both men one
more fight in the big show.
to MMA, and the promotion should give him the Dan Hardy treatment, and give him
one last fight if he chooses to keep fighting. At this point, it’s unknown if
Hominick can defeat any UFC featherweight, considering he lost to Garza and
Eddie Yagin, but one guy who he should be competitive with his Jason Young, who
has lost three of four in the UFC, and who was knocked out badly by Robert Peralta in his last fight. Both Hominick and Young like to stand and bang, so
this would be an exciting fight if the UFC is kind enough to give both men one
more fight in the big show.
Fight to make: Mark Hominick vs. Jason Young
