The powers that be behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship are dead set on placing their flag everywhere in the world. The TUF Smashes season was an opportunity for the organization to build a stable of fighters that can be used when the organization moves throughout Europe. Now that the finale, UFC on FX 6, is in the books, these are some suggestions for the competitors that were unable to get their hands raised in the event:
George Sotiropoulos vs. Evan Dunham
Sotiropoulos was a fringe contender for the lightweight title before running into Dennis Siver. After that defeat he hasn’t be able to right the ship, and has now dropped his last three bouts. While it doesn’t seem like the UFC will release him, he needs to be placed in fights that give him the opportunity to move back up at a slow pace. Evan Dunham is a great fight to start the turnaround.
Dunham was also considered a viable contender to the title before losing to Melvin Guillard. He’s struggled to return to that position, and his recent defeat to TJ Grant at UFC 152 further displayed that fact. Sotiropoulos-Dunham would be an interesting fight as they both have strong ground games that can stop many fighters within the 155-pound division. On the feet, Evan would have the ability to score against George, but he hasn’t shown the power to stop his opponents. Sotiropoulos’s striking has improved, but not to the point where he is considered dangerous on the feet.
This bout would serve as a good preliminary bout on FX for either a Pay per View or Fox card.
Colin Fletcher vs. Fabricio Camoes
Colin Fletcher went into the TUF Smashes finale as a favorite due to how he came across during the season. He became known for his character, and while his abilities as a fighter brought some interest, it isn’t a secret that Colin’s ability to work the camera was the real source of his appeal. While he was unsuccessful in this bout, should he be allowed to continue to fight in the UFC, a matchup with Fabricio Camoes would be a strong opportunity for the Brit.
Camoes is coming off of a defeat to Melvin Guillard after being welcomed back into the Octagon. He was able to place Guillard in some dangerous positions; however, he was soundly defeated in his last bout. He would be a good test for Fletcher, especially if this bout was created for a card overseas during the UFC’s conquest of MMA throughout the world.
Rousimar Palhares vs. Mark Munoz
Mark Munoz was once considered a top prospect in the middleweight division, and was gaining steam after an impressive 2011. However, all that would come crashing down when he suffered an elbow injury that required surgery and forced him out of a January bout with Chael Sonnen. Upon his return, he ran into Chris Weidman at UFC on Fuel 4 and was knocked out in the second round of their contest. Now, the former college standout is in need of a fight that will remind everyone of his potential as a middleweight contender. Enter: Rousimar Palhares.
It is widely considered that while Palhares is a dangerous submission specialist, he may not be much more than that within the 185 pound weight class. Yes, he can grab hold of a leg and cause immense damage, but because top-level fighters understand how to avoid that, his overall effectiveness is questionable. However, those grappling abilities would still make him an interesting opponent for the wrestling-based Munoz.
Mark has fallen in love with his improved striking and seems content to stand and exchange with his opponents. Rousimar uses his striking to set up takedowns, so he would have to be wary of extended exchanges with Munoz. The question would be what happens once this fight hits the ground. Are Munoz’s defensive capabilities enough to hold off the pending attack that would come? He’s never been submitted before, but he hasn’t faced a fighter with a “Jiu Jitsu first” mentality such as Palhares.
This would be an interesting fight for any of the UFC’s free Fox formats, especially Fuel or FX.
Seth Baczynski vs. Thiago Alves
“The Polish Pistola” brought a four-fight win streak into the Octagon, but it was halted by Matt Pierce, as he dropped a unanimous decision. Even though he was winning, Baczynski wasn’t drawing a lot of fanfare during this run, so this defeat does damage to his stock in the tough 170-pound weight class. To rebound from this position, the UFC should place him in a matchup against a former title contender that is enduring his own skid in Thiago Alves.
Thiago Alves made a violent run towards title contention, but after losing to Georges St. Pierre, he has struggled to regain that position. After his most recent defeat to Martin Kampmann it will be interesting to see how the UFC uses him for future bouts. This is the type of fight to see if Baczynski is ready to move towards the tougher opponents that await at 170 or if he is another gatekeeper within the division.
Alves is a powerful striker who can score from various angles on the feet. His weakness has always been grapplers who can take him down and potentially stifle any type of offense he can muster. Baczynski has the potential to finish fights on the feet, but grappling is his ace in the whole. This would be a great style matchup for the fans to enjoy.
Baczynski vs. Alves should be used as a preliminary bout for a Fox or Pay per View card in 2013.
Brad Scott was unsuccessful in his bid to win the three fight contract, however, he will most likely still be brought on board for future UFC events overseas. Matching him against countryman John Maguire gives the UFC the opportunity to create a fight that will have some hometown fanfare. This would be a good opportunity for the UFC to have a main card opening bout for the promotion’s next event on English soil.
TUF Smashes won’t be the last time the UFC expands into other countries and develops fighters abroad. Taking the losers from these cards, and placing them in matchups against athletes from other countries, gives the promotion the opportunity to build stars outside of the United States MMA scene.
