Fight Fixin’ is a fantasy matchmaking article that comes out the day after every UFC event and features possible matchups for main card winners and/or losers from the previous night.
Cain Velasquez
Cain Velasquez was triumphant in his rematch against Junior dos Santos in the main event of UFC 155, reclaiming the UFC heavyweight title he once held via total five-round
domination over the Brazilian. It was an amazing performance by Velasquez, and
with the win he answered any questions anyone may have had about him after the
first loss to dos Santos when he was knocked out in 64 seconds back at UFC on FOX 1.
Although a trilogy match is possible, dos Santos will be on the
mend for a while with injuries sustained in this bout, and the division has to
keep rolling along. Therefore Velasquez should fight the winner of UFC 156’s
Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva next. Overeem was supposed to
fight for the title this year until a drug suspension nixed his participation,
while Silva in his last bout bounced back from a TKO loss at Velasquez’ hands
earlier this year at UFC 146 to TKO Travis Browne at UFC on FX 5.
The winner of that fight will have earned his title shot more
so than anyone else in the division at the moment, so even if Silva has to
rematch Velasquez so soon, he’ll have earned that chance, because Overeem won’t
be an easy out at all. And if Overeem beats Silva, man, “The Reem” vs.
Velasquez would be amazing, wouldn’t it?
Fight to make: Cain Velasquez vs. Alistair Overeem/Antonio
“Bigfoot” Silva winner
Jim Miller
Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon duked it out for three rounds in what
was an obvious “Fight of the Year” candidate in the co-main event of UFC 155.
At the end of their war, Miller was the recipient of a unanimous decision
victory, so he’ll take a step up in the division, while Lauzon becomes the
weight class’ ultimate gatekeeper.
Miller looked phenomenal last night and should fight another
contender in his next fight. I’m thinking the winner of Diego Sanchez vs.
Takanori Gomi, which goes down at UFC on FUEL TV 8 in March. After the war with
Lauzon, Miller’s going to need some time off, so waiting for the winner of this
fight won’t be a big deal. Gomi is on a hot streak, while Sanchez is returning
to 155, and either guy paired up with Miller ensures another guaranteed “Fight
of the Night,” so hopefully UFC matchmaker Joe Silva reads this article.
Fight to make: Jim Miller vs. Diego Sanchez/Takanori Gomi
winner
Costa Philippou/Yushin Okami
Both Costa Philippou and Yushin Okami picked up big wins on
Saturday night, with Philippou defeating Tim Boetsch via TKO, while Okami beat
Alan Belcher by decision. With the middleweight division in a state of flux
right now with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva on hiatus, it makes
sense to match up Philippou and Okami and keep them busy fighting while Silva
figures out what he wants to do.
I don’t know how exciting a fight between Okami and Philippou
would be, but it would show just how good Philippou’s takedown defence is if
can stop Okami’s wrestling attack. And if Okami dispatched the fast-rising
Philippou, it would answer a lot of questions about him as well. I think this
fight is obvious matchmaking, so expect this fight to become a reality for the
March Japan card.
Fight to make: Yushin Okami vs. Costa Philippou
Derek Brunson
Derek Brunson earned a victory via decision over Chris Leben in
his UFC debut after taking the fight on very short notice, ensuring that he’ll
get at least a few more fights in the Octagon. Sure, Leben isn’t the same
fighter he once was, but he’s a big name, so this is a huge win on paper for
Brunson, who will move onto bigger and better things, while Leben is forced to
reevaluate his career.
For his next fight, Brunson deserves a full camp, and he should
fight someone else coming off a win. My pick is the winner of Ronny Markes vs.
Andrew Craig, which takes place at UFC on FX 7 in just a few weeks. Both Markes
and Craig have some momentum too, so a fight against Brunson would really prove
who is the best prospect amongst the three, all of whom have obvious talents as
well as flaws.
Fight to make: Derek Brunson vs. Ronny Markes/Andrew Craig
winner
