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.
Glover Teixeira
Glover Teixeira improved to 5-0 in the UFC and to 20-0 in his last 20 fights after the Brazilian buzzsaw took out Ryan Bader with a first-round KO in the main event of UFC Fight Night 28. This win confirms his position as an elite light heavyweight fighter.
The UFC has already confirmed that Teixeira is going to get a title shot so he’ll be watching UFC 165 later this month, when divisional kingpin Jon Jones puts his belt on the line against Alexander Gustafsson. If the winner of that fight comes out healthy, expect Teixeira to fight him in the first quarter of 2014 in the main event of a PPV.
Fight to make: Teixeira vs. Jones/Gustafsson winner
Ronaldo Souza
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza earned his second-straight first-round win in the UFC, as the Brazilian knocked out Yushin Okami in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 28. It’s a huge win that rockets Souza near the top of the division’s ranks.
For his next fight I’d like to see Souza take on the winner of Michael Bisping vs. Mark Munoz, which takes place in late October at UFC Fight Night 30. It’s a fight that makes sense to figure out where all of these guys stand in the division, and, whether it’s Bisping or Munoz, I expect Souza to be gunning for the finish right from the get-go.
Fight to make: Souza vs. Bisping/Munoz winner
Joseph Benavidez
Joseph Benavidez knocked out Jussier Formiga in the first round, making him 3-0 since losing a split decision to Demetrious Johnson at UFC 152, in a bout that would have crowned him the first-ever UFC flyweight champion.
I believe that Benavidez has done enough to earn a rematch, so I hope the UFC is smart and books this fight. This is the most competitive matchup for Johnson out there right now, and Benavidez will definitely be a live dog when they meet for the second time.
Fight to make: Benavidez vs. Johnson II
Piotr Hallmann
Piotr Hallmann was the surprise of the night, as the young Pole defeated a bigger and meaner Francisco Trinaldo via second-round submission in a huge upset that will shoot him up the lightweight ladder.
For his next fight I’d like Hallmann to take on Daron Cruickshank, who is coming off a win over Yves Edwards. I want to see Hallmann tested against a guy who has good cardio (unlike Trinaldo) as well as good striking, and I think a guy like Cruickshank is a good second test for him.
Fight to make: Hallmann vs. Daron Cruickshank
Rafael Natal
Rafael Natal improved to 5-2-1 in the UFC with a “Fight of the Night” decision win over Tor Troeng, a victory that will put Natal somewhere between #15 and #20 in the division’s rankings.
A guy who is in the same position as Natal rankings-wise is Ed Herman, who is coming off a “Fight of the Night” decision win
himself. I have a feeling Natal vs. Herman would be a very fun fight between two veterans coming off of wins, so I hope the UFC books this one.
Fight to make: Natal vs. Ed Herman
Ali Bagautinov
Young Russian Ali Bagautinov showed why the UFC is so high on him, as he starched Marcos Vinicus in the third round with a brutal right hand to pick up a big win in his UFC debut.
For his next fight, I think it makes sense to push Bagautinov up the ladder, so matchmakers should give him John Moraga. I know that Moraga just competed for the title, but this is a shallow division, and I want to see Bagautinov fast-tracked up the ladder after his impressive Octagon debut.
Fight to make: Bagautinov vs. John Moraga
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UFC Fight Night 28: Teixeira vs. Bader took place on September 4, 2013 at the Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 28 was.
