UFC on FX 8 was another strong showing for the UFC in Brazil. Now that the event is over, many of the winners from the event are a fight or two away from being considered top contenders in their respective weight classes. To get there, UFC matchmakers should look at these potential fights for each of them:
Vitor Belfort vs. the winner of Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman
Whether the MMA world wants to believe it or not, Vitor Belfort is making himself into a contender for the middleweight title once again. Other than his hiccup at 205 pounds to Jon Jones last year, he’s won four straight fights since his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 126. Before Weidman was tapped as the next contender for Silva, many people were looking for him to fight Belfort for that number one spot.
If Silva comes out of their July matchup at UFC 162 as the champion, this fight can be placed into the main event of a pay-per-view card in Brazil. If Weidman were to win, and if the UFC chose to do an immediate rematch, then perhaps Belfort could take a fight against the winner of the potential Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva fight that is developing in the media daily. Either way, Belfort has become a name at 185 that the UFC will want to get the most out of every time he’s in the Octagon.
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Yushin Okami
Souza was out to impress in his UFC debut and did so in highlight reel fashion, when he dispatched Chris Camozzi in the first round of their matchup. The former Strikeforce champion has been forgotten amongst the best that the middleweight division has to offer, but with the way he burst onto the scene and ended Camozzi’s four–fight win streak, he sent a message to the rest of the division.
Okami was once the number one contender to Anderson Silva’s title, but was put out to pasture by knockout, losing fights in devastating fashion at UFC 134 and UFC 144. While he has put together three wins since, no one is clamoring to see him face Silva once again. Placing him in a matchup against Souza would go a long way towards determining which one should be considered a contender by the end of the year.
Souza vs. Okami would work as a potential co-main event for a future Brazilian or Asian card.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. the winner of Donald Cerrone vs. KJ Noons
Rafael dos Anjos continues to be the lightweight contender that no one wants to talk about. In his four–fight win streak he’s looked better in every outing. And while he is far off from getting a shot, he can continue his campaign towards that goal by facing the winner of Donald Cerrone vs. KJ Noons.
Noons and Cerrone are due to face each other at UFC 160. Cerrone has been a mid-tier contender since moving over from WEC, but has not been able to break into the upper echelon. Noons was considered one of the top lightweights that Strikeforce had to offer. The winner of this fight would be a good stylistic matchup for the dos Anjos, as he continues to develop his standup game to go with his world class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu abilities.
Dos Anjos vs. the winner of Noons vs. Cerrone should be featured on a pay-per-view or Fox main card.
Nik Lentz vs. winner of Dennis Siver vs. Cub Swanson
Since dropping down to featherweight, Lentz has looked like a buzz saw that is going to give anyone a world of trouble at this weight class. His ability to score takedowns at will has to be respected by everyone in the division. His next bout should come against the winner of the Dennis Siver vs. Cub Swanson fight set for UFC 162.
Swanson and Siver are both on the short list of contenders to Jose Aldo’s 145-pound strap. In order to be added to that list, Lentz needs a high quality win, which either of these individuals would be considered. Lentz doesn’t have the stand up abilities to deal with either of these fighters on the feet, though, but his takedown skills would help in this bout. If he can get the fight to the ground, he would be able to grind out yet another victory.
Lentz vs. either Swanson or Siver would best be featured as a main card fight on a UFC on Fox event.
John Lineker vs. Jussier da Silva
Flyweights Lineker and da Silva put on two showcases within the division.- Lineker used his power to dispose of Azamat Gashimov, while “Formiga” put on a grappling clinic against Chris Cariaso. While these two flyweight contenders were shoveled away on the Facebook card, it is very clear that they are close to the front of the line when it comes to getting a shot at the current champion Demetrious Johnson. Placing these two individuals in a title eliminator is the next step in for both men and the division as a whole.
Lineker vs. da Silva would be a great opening bout for a pay-per-view card or Fox main card.
UFC on FX 8 entertained through most of the fights, and was another free event worth the time to watch. The event’s winners may not be the biggest names on the UFC’s roster, but they are contenders within their respective weight classes. Going forward, it will be interesting to see what the UFC does with each of these victors.
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UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold took place on May 18, 2013 at Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil.
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Some good ideas for sure. I don't like that Vitor is a little older than me and getting catered to with TRT exemption outside of Vegas. He is clearly benefitting in an unfair way from the fast twitch muscle he is putting back on. That said, Rockhold isn't Weidman, and he certainly isn't Anderson, who I just can't see getting caught by him, Honestly I think you could sell Jacare vs. Vitor, I don't like him vs. Okami at all. Jacare has the skills to beat anyone @185 with that BJJ, he's only rivaled by Damaien Maia, who has none of the stand up skills or explosiveness we just saw from Jacare.