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.
ROSS PEARSON
A blistering performance by Ross Pearson against George Sotiropoulos in the main event of UFC on FX 6 has the Brit once again making a splash in the UFC’s lightweight division. Pearson absolutely dominated Sotiropoulos in the standup and bashed and bruised his body until the Aussie couldn’t take it anymore, winning via TKO in the battle of TUF: Smashes coaches. Although the black belt Sotiropoulos showed a lot of heart in the fight and even took Pearson’s back at one point, it was clear by the end of the bout that Pearson is the superior mixed martial artist.
For his next match at 155 pounds, I’d like to see Pearson fight another veteran coming off a big win, Yves Edwards, who knocked out Jeremy Stephens just last week at UFC on Fox 5. Both Pearson and Edwards are wicked strikers so this fight would be guaranteed entertainment if it stays standing, and it would be a great test for Pearson to see just where he stands at 155 pounds as Edwards is like the ultimate gatekeeper of the UFC lightweight division. Book it for the England card in February.
Fight to make: Ross Pearson vs. Yves Edwards
ROBERT WHITTAKER
Aussie Robert Whittaker showed just why he was so highly touted coming out of the TUF house as he took home a decision victory over Brit Brad Scott to win the TUF: Smashes welterweight tournament. Whittaker beat up Scott badly on the feet and although the fight was definitely competitive, it was clear he got the better end of the exchanges and deserved to get the nod. One he heals up from the damage he took in the fight, he needs to get a step up in competition.
A fight with Keith Wisniewski is just what the doctor ordered. Wisniewski is one of the toughest fighters in the UFC today and has more experience than most fighters on the roster. However, he is beatable, and for Whittaker, who lacks a big-name win on his resume, Wisniewski would represent by far the biggest win of his career. So book this fight for sometime next year and start pushing this Whittaker kid up the ladder, because he has a bright future in the sport.
Fight to make: Robert Whittaker vs. Keith Wisniewski
NORMAN PARKE
A splendid UFC debut by Northern Ireland’s Norman Parke, who defeated Brit Colin Fletcher via decision in a fun back-and-forth fight that saw Parke crowned the TUF: Smashes lightweight champion. Parke showed a terrific ground game, submission ability, and heart in the bout, and figures to be a prospect to keep an eye on as he moves forward in the UFC.
For his next fight, Parke needs to fight a veteran, and he needs to fight someone who would be willing to grapple with him. I think that could be Fabricio Camoes, who is coming off a decision loss to Melvin Guillard at UFC 148. Camoes has a lot of experience in the game and isn’t an easy opponent at all, but Parke needs to be tested against someone who has a bit of a name, so this match makes sense.
Fight to make: Norman Parke vs. Fabricio Camoes
HECTOR LOMBARD
A dynamite performance by Hector Lombard opened up the card, as he knocked Rousimar Palhares out in beautiful fashion to pick up his first win in the UFC. After the controversial and boring split decision loss to Tim Boetsch in his UFC debut at UFC 149, Lombard badly needed to pick up a rebound win, and he did so in a huge way by taking out the leglock specialist Palhares.
Although Lombard called out Michael Bisping after the fight, I believe that Bisping is a little bit further up in the pecking order than Lombard. But I still think Lombard deserves a big fight, and I think a fight against Cung Le would be awesome. Both guys are devastating strikers so you know that someone is going to sleep either way, meaning the fans are going to be satisfied at the end of the day. Le is coming off the biggest win of his career over Rich Franklin, and for Lombard, Palhares was the biggest win of his career, so it makes sense to match these two big-ticket fighters up at this point in time.
Fight to make: Hector Lombard vs. Cung Le
