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.
Nate Diaz
In the main event of the TUF 18 Finale, Nate Diaz put on an impressive showing against Gray Maynard to remain in the top 10 of the UFC lightweight division, as he absolutely obliterated Maynard with a series of punches for a first-round TKO stoppage victory.
For Diaz’ next fight, the UFC can pretty much match him up with anyone in the top 10 and the fans are guaranteed a great fight. But the guy I want him to fight next is TJ Grant, who is in limbo at lightweight after suffering a concussion following a KO win over Maynard at UFC 160. If Grant is able to return in the next few months, then he’ll need a fight while champion Anthony Pettis is out, so it’s only natural to match him up against another striker with slick BJJ in Diaz and give the fans a real treat.
Fight to make: Diaz vs. TJ Grant
Julianna Peña
In the finals of the TUF 18 female bantamweight bracket, Julianna Peña absolutely dominated Jessica Rakoczy en route to a first-round TKO win. It upped Pena’s official pro record to 5-2, and she also has three more wins inside the TUF house, so really she’s on a four-fight win streak at the moment.
I know Pena is only 24 and is still a developing prospect, but her defeat of Shayna Baszler in the house showed me that she is one of the best women bantamweights in the world already, and I actually have her ranked in my top 10.
That’s why I want to see her tested next time out against one of the division’s best, but one who I believe should move into a gatekeeper role, and that’s Liz Carmouche. The thing I love about this matchup is that both Pena and Carmouche are known for their strength, so just to see who the stronger woman is would be interesting, and if Pena wins, it proves she’s almost ready for a title shot, considering Carmouche arguably gave champion Ronda Rousey her toughest test to date.
Fight to make: Pena vs. Liz Carmouche
Chris Holdsworth
In the finals of the TUF 18 men’s bantamweight bracket, Chris Holdsworth submitted Davey Grant with a rear-naked choke to up his pro record to a still-undefeated 5-0 record.
I think Holdsworth is a hell of a prospect, and since he’s already 26, I see no reason why the UFC shouldn’t fast-track him up the ladder. I say match him up against top-15-ranked Wilson Reis next time out, and see where exactly Holdsworth stacks up against one of the better bantamweights in the division. Reis used wrestling to defeat Ivan Menjivar in his last fight, but Holdsworth is a special grappler himself, so I’d be very curious to see how this match plays out, and that’s why I hope UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby makes this fight.
Fight to make: Holdsworth vs. Wilson Reis
Jessamyn Duke
In one of the women’s bantamweight bouts on the main card, Jessamyn Duke defeated Peggy Morgan via three-round unanimous decision. Duke looked solid on the feet, but she showed her ground game still needs work, and right now I don’t believe she is a true contender.
For her next fight, I say match up Duke with Jessica Andrade, who has showed tremendous standup skills but a relatively weak ground game during her UFC tenure. I think this would be a really fun fight for the fans, and I hope the UFC is leaning in this direction.
Fight to make: Duke vs. Jessica Andrade
Raquel Pennington
In the opening fight of the TUF 18 Finale main card, Raquel Pennington defeated Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision. It was a workmanlike performance by Pennington, but she showed she is still raw and that the UFC needs to build her slowly.
For her next fight, I say match Pennington up against the winner of UFC Fight Night 33’s Julie Kedzie vs. Bethe Correia. Both of those fighters are near the bottom end of the ladder just like Pennington is, so it makes sense to match the winners up.
Fight to make: Pennington vs. winner of Julie Kedzie vs. Bethe Correia
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The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale took place on November 30, 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think the TUF 18 Finale was.
