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.
Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Mark Hunt
Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Mark Hunt absolutely brutalized each other’s legs, arms, faces, hands, and pretty much every part of each other’s bodies in the main event of UFC Fight Night 33. It was one of the best heavyweight fights of all time, and the most intriguing part about it is that it was ruled a draw by the judges.
Since it was ruled a draw, I think a rematch is the only thing that makes sense. I honestly have no idea how good this fight would be the second time around, but since the storyline writes itself, I hope the UFC runs with it.
Fight to make: Rematch
James Te Huna
James Te Huna was knocked out in brutal fashion by Shogun Rua in the co-main event of the card, a loss that proves he is not a contender at 205 pounds, but rather a gatekeeper.
I like Te Huna in a gatekeeper role, and believe there are a lot of fun matchups out there for him. One that I like in particular is a fight against Fabio Maldonado, the tough-headed Brazilian who recently picked up a close split decision win over Joey Beltran. The combination of Te Huna’s prodigious power and Maldonado’s chin makes for an exciting fight, and I hope the UFC makes it.
Fight to make: James Te Huna vs. Fabio Maldonado
Anthony Perosh
Anthony Perosh was beat down over the course of three rounds by Ryan Bader at UFC Fight Night 33, and at 41 years of age it’s possible he will retire from the sport if the UFC doesn’t give him another fight.
However, I think the promotion will keep Perosh around for one more, and I’d like that to be against Cody Donovan. Both of these guys are clinging to their respective roster spots at light heavyweight, and this matchup would do well to filter out who belongs in the UFC and who doesn’t. Oh, and it would likely provide a nice KO for the fans.
Fight to make: Anthony Perosh vs. Cody Donovan
Pat Barry
Pat Barry was knocked out by Soa Palelei, the fourth T/KO loss that “HD” has suffered in his last seven matches. In fact, with a poor 5-7 UFC record, it’s very likely Barry is released from the roster to make room for up-and-coming talent.
However, if the UFC decides to keep the fan favorite around, I’d like to see him take on Brandon Vera next, a matchup my friend and fellow MMA writer James Lynch suggested. I think the fight would be a technical kickboxing matchup between two strikers on the decline, and the winner of it would prove he still belongs in the big show, while the loser would get cut.
Fight to make: Pat Barry vs. Brandon Vera
Dylan Andrews
Dylan Andrews was on quite the roll, but after injuring himself against Clint Hester and losing the fight via TKO (injury), he’s going to have to take a step back at 185 pounds and earn his way back up the ladder again.
For his next fight, I’d be cool with Andrews taking on Buddy Roberts, who hasn’t fought in over a year since taking a beating at the hands of Yushin Okami at UFC 150. I think this fight between the injury-prone Andrews and the inactive Roberts makes a lot of sense, as it pairs two strikers, and I’d like to see it happen.
Fight to make: Dylan Andrews vs. Buddy Roberts
Nam Phan
Since Julie Kedzie retired, I decided to skip her fight to make and instead go with Nam Phan, who fought in the main event of the prelims against Takeya Mizugaki. Although Phan certainly held his own throughout the course of three rounds, he clearly lost the decision, and it’s possible that with a 2-5 UFC record he is released.
If he decides to stick around, though, I’d like to see him fight Will Campuzano, who is 1-5 in the UFC/WEC. I think this fight would be an action-packed brawl between two of the toughest and more durable bantamweights in the division, and if Campuzano doesn’t drop down to 125 pounds, I hope the UFC makes this bout, because it is guaranteed action.
Fight to make: Nam Phan vs. Will Campuzano
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UFC Fight Night 33: Hunt vs. Bigfoot took place on December 7, 2013 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. (Due to the time differences, the event aired on December 6 in the United States.)
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 33 was.
