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.
Another fight, another win for Demetrious Johnson who once again defended the UFC flyweight title, this time with a stunning fifth-round submission victory over John Moraga in the main event of UFC on FOX 8. It was the first finish of Johnson’s UFC career, and it’s a win that will shut up many of his critics, who write him off as boring.
Johnson’s next title fight will likely come against the winner of UFC Fight Night 28’s Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga. Sure, Johnson has already defeated Benavidez, but the flyweight division is so shallow that this rematch is inevitable, and if he beats Formiga like everyone expects him to, it will soon be a reality.
Fight to make: Demetrious Johnson vs. the winner of Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga
Rory MacDonald defeated Jake Ellenberger via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 8, but it was a very uneventful fight, and no one is going to want to see him fight for the title just yet.
Instead, let’s see MacDonald take on the winner of Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann, who rematch later this summer at UFC Fight Night 27. Both Condit and Kampmann are two of the top 10 fighters at welterweight in the world, and with Condit already holding a win over MacDonald, it makes sense for them to rematch, as it will likely produce another “Fight of the Year” candidate, just like their first match at UFC 115. And if it’s Kampmann who beats Condit, it’s even better, as it’s a fresh matchup for MacDonald. But either way, both matchups are very intriguing.
Fight to make: Rory MacDonald vs. winner of Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann II
It’s two fights back in the UFC and two highlight-reel knockouts for Robbie Lawler, who dispatched Bobby Voelker with a head kick in the second round of their match to continue his march towards a shot at the UFC welterweight title.
With defeats of Josh Koscheck and Voelker, Lawler needs to fight a top guy, and the one fighter who I would love to see him fight is Nick Diaz. The two fought in a memorable fight way back in the day at UFC 47, and with Lawler losing that first fight via KO (the only time he’s ever been knocked out in his career), there’s no doubt he’s been itching to erase that L off his record for years. And there’s no better time to do it than now – that is, if the UFC can convince Diaz to come out of retirement for it.
Fight to make: Robbie Lawler vs. Nick Diaz II
Liz Carmouche defeated Jessica Andrade via TKO in the opening bout of the UFC on FOX 8 main card, and while she’s already asking for a title shot rematch against Ronda Rousey, odds are she’s going to have to pick up a few more wins before she gets that second fight with Rousey.
Look for the UFC to match up Carmouche with Germaine de Randamie, who won against Julie Kedzie on the undercard. Both fighters are ranked about the same in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division, and with both fighting on the same card, the timing will make sense for both of them to fight on the same card against one another later this year.
Fight to make: Liz Carmouche vs. Germaine de Randamie
One of the most surprising results on the UFC on FOX 8 card occurred in the main event of the FX prelims, as Jorge Masvidal submitted Michael Chiesa with a D’arce choke with just one second left in the second round. Not that it was surprising that Masvidal won – he was the favorite after all – but to pick up only the second submission win of his career over a previously-undefeated opponent was very surprising, and very impressive.
Masvidal is just below the elite lightweights in the world, and one guy who is near the same spot in the rankings as him is Jim Miller, who is coming off a No Contest to Pat Healy at UFC 159. Miller is one of the best grapplers in the lightweight division, and he will provide Masvidal with a real test of just how good the Cuban-American’s ground game really is, because it’s looked great so far during his UFC run, and he’s really emerging as a dark horse contender at 155.
Fight to make: Jorge Masvidal vs. Jim Miller
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UFC on Fox 8 took place on July 27, 2013 at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington.
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Hadn't heard Masvidal/Miller suggested yet. I like it. My pick for Carmouche would be Zingano.