UFC 158 featured an animosity-filled bout between Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz for the welterweight title. Now that the dust has settled, we not only have a champion still sitting comfortably on his throne, but a number one contender that is more deserving of a title shot than ever. However, looking at the results of the night’s affairs, these fight suggestions would best serve those that were unable to get their hands raised.
Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz
Once again Nick Diaz hinted at walking away from the sport after suffering a loss, but until he actually does so, the sports world can’t take it quite so seriously. If the Stockton native decides to keep competing, a bout against Carlos Condit would be a captivating next bout.
Condit and Diaz already have the story built in from their Superbowl weekend matchup back in 2012 at UFC 143, where Condit took a decision victory that many people did not agree with. Now, both fighters have suffered defeat at the hands of “Rush,” and their careers are both at a peculiar point where they are still two of the best at welterweight, but neither is anywhere near another title shot. Placing them in a matchup against each other would create a fight that could help boost the ratings of a Fox card that is headlined by a title fight in less popular division, such as flyweight or bantamweight. Or, it could headline a card in its own right, with the added bonus of five rounds instead of three.
Nate Marquardt vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
Lately Nate Marquardt has not looked like the same type of fighter that hit video game style finishes on opponents in the past. Once Jake Ellenberger was able to close the distance, he was able to get his hands on the former Strikeforce champion and blast him into next week. Because Nate took this fight on short notice, he should survive being released, and in turn, matching him against striker Siyar Bahadurzada would give him one last chance to redeem himself in the Octagon.
Siyar is coming off of a decisive defeat to Dong Hyun Kim at UFC on Fuel TV 8, in which he was controlled from start to finish. He’s a dynamic striker that has the ability to put fighters out in highlight reel fashion so it would be captivating to see what style Marquardt would use against the Afghanistan native. Marquardt-Bahadurzada would serve well as a preliminary bout to a Fox card.
Daron Cruickshank vs. Donald Cerrone
“The Detroit Superstar” had built up a strong amount of hype for the way he dispatched Henry Martinez in December at UFC on Fox 5, but John Makdessi was able to stop that momentum with his striking at UFC 158. Daron has the potential to be a star in the lightweight division, but it is very clear that he has to continue to grow before moving up the ladder.
However, giving him a tough challenge against Donald Cerrone would show just how much of a varied game Cruickshank has. He’s been billed as being taught martial arts all his life, and against Cerrone he would have to be able to use all of those facets in the Octagon. This would be a high energy fight from start to finish that has the potential to steal the show of any card it’s featured on.
Though 13-2 overall, Nick Ring has a 3-2 record while competing under the Zuffa banner. And while he may not be considered a special fighter in the 185 pound division, he has steadily improved with each outing. The split decision loss to Chris Camozzi may not have gone his way, but he can be placed on a free card, where his fighting style may help create some interesting matchups.
Against Ed Herman, Nick would face a UFC veteran who’s displayed the ability to compete anywhere the action takes place. Since returning from injury back in 2011 he’s gone 3-1 with 1 No Contest (his only loss was a short notice bout against “Jacare” in Strikeforce), and has looked much better. This wouldn’t be a fight to turn either competitor into a contender, but it would keep them active, and create the style of fight that can surprise fans with action.
As with every event, UFC 158 left a number of fighters tasting defeat, unable to secure additional victories for their resumes. If the UFC chooses to keep these individuals in their employ, these fight suggestions would keep them active in key bouts for the rest of the year.
UFC 158: St. Pierre vs. Diaz took place on March 16, 2013 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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