Fight Fixin’ is a fantasy matchmaking article that comes out after every major event and features possible matchups for main card winners and/or losers from the previous event.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira’s legendary MMA career may very well have reached its end, as the former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion tapped out to an armbar by Fabricio Werdum in the main event of UFC on FUEL TV 10. It’s Nogueira’s fourth stoppage loss in his last eight fights, and it might be enough to make him hang up the gloves for good.
But if he does return, there are still many big fights in the heavyweight division for Nogueira. One opponent I’d like to see him fight is Stefan Struve, who has an amazing BJJ game. Struve’s jaw is still healing up after being broken by Mark Hunt at UFC on FUEL TV 8, but when he’s healthy enough to return, a fight against Minotauro makes a lot of sense, and would be a hell of a lot of fun.
Fight to make: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Stefan Struve
William Macario
William Macario lost as the underdog in the TUF Brazil 2 finale, but the 22-year-old Brazilian still has a lot of potential, and I expect him to develop into a decent fighter in the UFC welterweight division.
For his next UFC fight, I say match Macario up with Brad Scott, who lost in the finale of TUF Smashes. The fight makes a lot of sense in a lot of different ways, and it would help sort out who is legit between these two, and who will never make it at the highest level of the sport.
Fight to make: William Macario vs. Brad Scott
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante
Rafael Cavalcante had a horrible UFC debut, gassing out in three minutes and then getting knocked into next week by Thiago Silva, in a very disappointing loss for the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion.
Cavalcante won’t be cut since he won a share of “Fight of the Night,” and for his next fight I’d like to see him take on Joey Beltran, who will be returning in a few months from a drug suspension. This would be an exciting fight, and the loser would go home, so I’d like to see the UFC book it.
Fight to make: Rafael Cavalcante vs. Joey Beltran
Eddie Mendez
Eddie Mendez predictably lost to Brazilian Daniel Sarafian via first-round submission, and it’s possible it’s the only fight the former Strikeforce product ever gets inside the Octagon, as he may be cut after this loss.
Provided he stays, though, Mendez needs to fight someone at the bottom end of the middleweight division. One guy who he could fight is Sean Spencer, who has fought only once in the UFC, a loss to Rafael “Sapo” Natal at UFC on FOX 6. Mendez vs. Spencer would likely be a fun fight, and it makes sense as far as wins and losses are concerned, so I say book it.
Fight to make: Eddie Mendez vs. Sean Spencer
Jason High
Jason High’s return to the UFC didn’t last very long, as Erick Silva tapped him out with a triangle/armbar combination very early in the first round. With an 0-2 record overall in the UFC, it’s possible High gets released, but the smart money is on him getting another fight.
If he does get another fight to prove himself, match High up with Dan Miller, another grappler who’s on the bubble. It’d be a much more competitive fight than High vs. Silva, and it could be used as a loser-leaves-town kind of match to help thin out the roster.
Fight to make: Jason High vs. Dan Miller
Mike Wilkinson
Mike Wilkinson was basically brought into Brazil to lose to young star Rony Jason, and that’s exactly what he did, as the “TUF Smashes” alum quickly succumbed to a beautiful triangle choke from the BJJ ace Jason in the first round.
Wilkinson could be cut, but I’d like to see the UFC give him one more fight, considering this was his first time fighting at 145, and Jason could be a future contender. I’d like to see Wilkinson take on another 145er on the bubble, and that would be Sam Sicilia, as I think it’d be a fun match that would determine who stays and who leaves.
Fight to make: Mike Wilkinson vs. Sam Sicilia
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UFC on FUEL TV 10: Nogueira vs. Werdum took place on June 8, 2013 at Ginásio Paulo Sarasate in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC on FUEL TV 10 was.
Nog/Struve is a good one.
If Struve can beat Nog it would fast track him back into the top prospect status he had before Hunt knocked it out of him.
If Nog can beat Struve,
that a good win over a young tiger to take with him into the sunset.
I like the sound of Miller/High also.