UFC 159 was a very bizarre event with odd finishes throughout the card. While not everyone may be happy with the way the event unfolded, those that lost out during their fights are in even worse positions. However, going forward, these fight suggestions would help them get their careers back on track, while keeping the fans’ interest:
Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva
Chael Sonnen may no longer be able to talk his way into any major title fights for the UFC, but that doesn’t mean he is not valuable to the organization at this time. His ability to promote a fight is still second to none, and he knows how to elicit a level of fury from fans and fighters alike that can be turned into dollar signs. Placing him into a matchup against Silva for his next bout allows him to spread his verbal wings and create a crazy fight in the process.
Sonnen has been known for his ridiculous verbal attacks against Brazil, and Silva is one of the country’s beloved athletes. If the UFC could develop this bout for another trip to the South American country, they could have a big name bout for the card to draw upon. In addition, the clash of Silva and Sonnen’s styles would have the opportunity to create an interesting fight to watch.
Sonnen vs. Silva would be a fight that could be used anywhere across the UFC’s television platforms.
Alan Belcher vs. the loser of Costas Philippou vs. Ronaldo Souza
Alan Belcher has continued to struggle in his attempts to break through to the upper echelon of the middleweight division. His loss to Michael Bisping proved that while he may be a top ten fighter, rising higher than that remains outside of his range capability. A bout against the loser of the upcoming Philippou-Souza fight at UFC on FX 8 in Brazil would be a solid next move for “The Talent.”
Both of these fighters have strengths in areas where Belcher does not mind fighting. He would stand and exchange on the feet with the very technical boxing of Costas, while he’s willing to go to the ground and combat submission abilities against “Jacare.” While it wouldn’t be the smartest of strategy to do that with either guy, Belcher often employs the tactics needed to create an exciting bout.
Belcher vs. either Philippou or Souza would be a good main card bout for a free UFC event on FX or Fox.
Jim Miller vs. Gilbert Melendez
For the longest time, Miller has been close to contending for the UFC’s lightweight title. Three of the four individuals who have beaten him in the Octagon became the number one contender for the strap after defeating Miller, including the current champion, Benson Henderson. And the only man to defeat him outside of the UFC, Frankie Edgar, would also become an eventual title challenger and champion of the division. He’s had a rough 2012-2013, but Miller is still a tough fighter within the division, and would be a staunch test for Gilbert Melendez.
Many individuals believe that Gilbert defeated Benson Henderson in their UFC on Fox 7 fight, but that book is now closed. However, if Melendez can storm through a fighter such as Miller, he may quickly be considered the top contender once again. Miller could also use the win to kick start another run towards the title shot that has continued to elude him.
Melendez vs. Miller would be a good fight to use as a pay-per-view opener, or it could be a main card bout on a Fox or FX card.
Cheick Kongo vs. Stefan Struve
Kongo was once considered an outside contender to the heavyweight title, but alternating wins and losses recently has thrown all of that talk out of the window. After being knocked out by Roy Nelson he’s now a step back from contendership in the weakest division in mixed martial arts, and should be matched against another former fringe contender in Stefan Struve.
This would be the type of fight that heavyweight purists enjoy, as both individuals enjoy the standup aspect of fighting but have questionable chins. Either Struve or Kongo can take or land a sudden shot that would put either fighter out of commission. A win for either fighter would be the right way to start another run in the division.
Kongo vs. Struve would be a solid FX preliminary bout for a pay-per-view or Fox event.
Vinny Magalhaes vs. Ilir Latifi
Vinny Magalhaes has shown that he is a submission ace that has the ability to coax a tapout from nearly anywhere on the mat. However, the rest of his skills as it pertains to MMA are still in need of improvement. After being controlled by Phil Davis during their bout, he could develop by facing off against another wrestler, albeit one whose skill set isn’t as good as Davis’s is on the mat.
Latifi did the UFC a major favor by taking a fight against Gegard Mousasi on very short notice at UFC on Fuel TV 9. Giving him a fight against Magalhaes will allow him to prove that he really deserves to be in the Octagon.
Latifi vs. Magalhaes would work as a preliminary bout for any of the upcoming UFC cards.
Now that UFC 159 is past us, the fighters that were unable to get their hands raised will have to rebuild their resumes in the Octagon. These fights would work when considering what should be next for each of them in their respective careers.
**********
UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen took place on April 27, 2013 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC 159 was.
