UFC Fight Night 26 was the promotion’s first show on Fox Sports 1, and it was a solid showcase for the promotion. There were a number of highlight reel finishes, and enough back and forth bouts on the card to keep everyone’s attention. In the end, the UFC matchmakers should have some captivating bouts for the winners of the card, and these are a few suggestions:
Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva
Chael Sonnen did the UFC a great favor by winning his bout, and doing so in a decisive fashion. While he’s nowhere near a title shot at any weight class, he’s placed himself in a position that will allow the UFC to continue to book him in major bouts that can draw attention to the promotion.
That is where Wanderlei Silva comes into play. Silva is an icon in the sport, and matching him against Sonnen will create the kind of buzz that the UFC can always benefit from. Sonnen has the tools to drag out a victory in this fight against the aggressive Silva, but the point of this matchmaking would be an opportunity to bring more eyes to the promotion.
Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva should be booked for a free televised show.
Travis Browne vs. the winner of Frank Mir vs. Josh Barnett
Travis Browne came from behind to crack Alistair Overeem in the co-main event of the night, and push his way into being considered among the top ten of the heavyweight division. With this win, he should be considered one or two key victories away from being a title challenger.
Frank Mir and Josh Barnett are due to face each other at UFC 164 in a contest that features two former champions. The winner would be an interesting test for Browne, because while they do not have his striking acumen, they both have the ability to get the fight to the ground and win via submission. Mir’s chin has already been tested, but the same can’t be said for Barnett. However, pairing one of them with Browne in the future would create a solid bout no matter which one it is.
Browne vs. the winner of Barnett-Mir could be a co-main event on a free UFC card or a main card bout on pay-per-view.
Urijah Faber vs. Michael McDonald
Urijah Faber and Michael McDonald are two of the best bantamweights in the UFC. However, they have both recently faced Renan Barão, and were unable to grab the title from him. That places them within the category of fighters who will remain within the top five of the weight class, but still be denied title shots, even as they string together wins.
This fight wouldn’t be set up to turn either McDonald or Faber into a title challenger, but to push one of them down the rankings. However, this would still be an exciting fight to watch, as both competitors are equipped to being a volley of offense in a variety of ways. They are both well-rounded athletes with high fighting IQ, so watching them compete for 15 minutes would be thoroughly entertaining.
McDonald vs. Faber could be featured on a pay-per-view event at some time either late this year or early next year.
Matt Brown has won six straight fights, and done so while creating a highlight reel that will show off the rebirth of his career. With these wins he’s placed himself on the cusp of breaking into the top ten at welterweight. While he hasn’t defeated a top ten opponent during this streak, he’s looked great. Matching him against Mike Pierce would give him an opportunity to show that he’s built the skill set to defeat the upper tier of fighters that await.
Pierce has been known as a fighter that makes his opponents look bad when they face him. In Brown he will have an opponent that will push him in a way that others haven’t, as he looks for the finish from the very start. Both of these athletes consider themselves title contenders, and going through the other would cement that position.
Matt Brown vs. Mike Pierce could be used to open up a pay-per-view card before the end of 2013.
The winners at UFC Fight Night 26 made the best of an opportunity to showcase their talents as part of the launch of a new mainstream outlet. With these wins they have moved their respective careers forward, and the future of each individual should include some enticing fights.
**********
UFC Fight Night 26: Shogun vs. Sonnen took place on August 17, 2013 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 26 was.
