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.
BENSON HENDERSON
Benson Henderson dominated Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC on FOX 5 to defend his title for the second time and pick up his third win
of 2012, making him the “Fighter of the Year” in my eyes. It was an absolutely
phenomenal performance by Henderson, and proves why he’s the No. 1 lightweight
fighter in the world. Next up for Henderson should be the winner of Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone, which takes place next month at UFC on FOX 6. Pettis
is the last man to defeat Henderson, while Cerrone and Henderson engaged in two
memorable bouts back in WEC, so it doesn’t matter which guy fights Henderson
next; both fights have “Fight of the Year” written all over them.
Fight to make: Benson Henderson vs. winner of Anthony
Pettis/Donald Cerrone
ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON
In another spectacular performance on FOX, Alexander Gustafsson beat up the legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua over the course of three
rounds to pick up the biggest win of his young career. The 25-year-old Swede
has looked fantastic in the UFC, only losing to Phil Davis, and seems like he’s
just about ready for a title shot. But I don’t think he’s quite there yet, and
needs one more fight. So give him the winner of UFC on FOX 6’s Glover Teixeira and
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, particularly if it’s Teixeira. In my opinion, UFC 157’s co-main event between Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida should define the
next light heavyweight No. 1 contender, so give Gustafsson one more test, and
if he passes it, he’ll be ready for a title shot.
Fight to make: Alexander Gustafsson vs. winner of Glover
Teixeira/Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
RORY MACDONALD
Rory MacDonald put on a dominating performance against the
legend B.J. Penn, absolutely dismantling the former two-division champion en
route to a dominant decision. After the fight, MacDonald called out Carlos Condit, who defeated MacDonald back at UFC 115 in the Canadian’s second UFC
bout. I say make the rematch. The first fight won “Fight of the Night” honours,
but it was controversial because the referee stopped it with only seven seconds
left in the third round. Give these two men 15 more minutes in the cage with
each other, and I guarantee you they’ll find a way to put an end to any sort of
controversy.
Fight to make: Rory MacDonald vs. Carlos Condit II
MATT BROWN
After nearly being cut by the UFC, Matt Brown has now won
five of his last six fights and four in a row, including a brutal KO of veteran
Mike Swick in the opening bout of UFC on FOX 5. Brown is on a hot streak right
now, but we have to keep in mind the guys he’s been fighting aren’t exactly
contenders. However, four wins in a row is still impressive any way you look at
it, so give Brown a step up in his next fight and let him face Dan Hardy. Hardy
has won two straight since a nasty four-fight skid that saw him close to
getting the boot from the UFC, too, so put these two together and you’re likely
to see two very motivated fighters fighting for a second chance at contention,
and that has fireworks written all over it.
Fight to make: Matt Brown vs. Dan Hardy
