The UFC gave the American troops a strong showcase with the third iteration of its “Fight for the Troops” event at UFC Fight Night 31. At the end of the show, new contenders arose in a few key divisions. These individuals have placed themselves in the position to earn some career-advancing fights in the near future.
Both Kennedy and Larkin looked very impressive in their wins on Wednesday night. Kennedy needed only one round to dispatch Rafael Natal, while Larkin used the whole 15 minutes to beat up on Chris Camozzi. Both of these individuals sit outside the top ten of the in the middleweight division, but they’ve positioned themselves for important opportunities some time in 2014.
Kennedy vs. Larkin could be placed on the main card of any UFC event, but would best serve as the opening bout for a pay-per-view event at some time in the first quarter of 2014.
Alexis Davis has quietly put together back-to-back wins in the UFC ‘s still growing women’s division. While the champion is currently tied up with The Ultimate Fighter and an eventual title defense; Davis should be matched against Sara McMann, to either bolster her resume or continue to build up McMann’s.
McMann is the fighter that some experts are suggesting has the best skill set to defeat Ronda Rousey. She’s developing as a striker, but her Olympic-level wrestling is her main weapon. Davis would have to be able to defend takedowns while not being hit by any of McMann’s powerful shots.
These two women could be paired up as a main card bout for a UFC event on Fox Sports 1.
Dennis Bermudez vs. Darren Elkins
The winner of five straight bouts, Dennis Bermudez has seemed to turn his career around to the point that he can now be considered a contender in the featherweight division. To determine his true place among the potential challengers at 145, he should be matched against Darren Elkins, who is always a tough out.
Elkins is a grinding style fighter who is known for his ability to keep fights where he wants them. Bermudez is a powerful striker that would have to deal with Elkins’ wrestling and position play.
Darren Elkins vs. Dennis Bermudez should be created to be a main card bout on a free Fox event.
Rustam Khabilov vs. Rafael Dos Anjos
Rustam Khabilov is a puzzle that will be hard to solve in the lightweight division. Despite being in a weight class that is filled with so many competitors that fit the mold of wrestlers or grapplers, Khabilov has shown the ability to launch nearly anyone off their feet that has been brave enough to touch him. Jorge Masvidal did a strong job of thwarting those throws, but he was unable to answer Khabilov’s striking attack. Matching Khabilov against a big lightweight such as Rafael Dos Anjos would create a must see fight in the 155-pound division.
Dos Anjos was once branded as a BJJ ace, but he’s shown a penchant for striking and wrestling during his last few bouts. Khabilov will have to prove himself against a lightweight fighter of Dos Anjos’ caliber before he can be considered one of the elite in the weight class.
Dos Anjos vs. Khabilov should be booked as a main card fight for an upcoming pay-per-view event.
UFC Fight Night 31 was a solid card that featured a few fighters that are making waves in the top 15 of their respective divisions. With these suggested bouts, they will be built up in the proper fashion to give the UFC some new faces to play with in 2014.
**********
UFC Fight Night 31: Fight for the Troops 3 took place on November 6, 2013 at Fort Campbell in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 31 was.
