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.
Demetrious Johnson
In the main event of UFC on FOX 9, Demetrious Johnson defended the UFC flyweight title for the third time in 2013 with a blistering first-round KO over Joseph Benavidez that silenced the crowd in Benavidez’ native Sacramento. It was Johnson’s third win the year, and his fifth victory since dropping down to 125 pounds, and he showed once again he’s by far the best flyweight fighter in the world.
For his next fight, I’d like Johnson to take on a fresh challenge, and that would be the winner of the rumored UFC 169 encounter between John Lineker and Ali Bagautinov. I believe that the winner of that fight would pose interesting challenges to Johnson, and although I doubt either wins, it’s still more interesting to me then a fight with UFC newcomer Zach Makovsky or a rematch with John Dodson.
Although he used to be just a wrestler, it’s clear that “Mighty Mouse” is a complete fighter now. I have really have been impressed by Johnson as of late, so much to the point where I believe he has reached the level of the “Pound-for-Pound” discussion.
Fight to make: Johnson vs. the winner of John Lineker vs. Ali Bagautinov
Urijah Faber
In the card’s co-main event, Urijah Faber submitted Michael McDonald in the second round to reaffirm his position as not only one of the best bantamweight fighters in the world, but one of the best pound-for-pound fighters as well.
Like it or not, Faber has earned himself another title shot, and in his next fight, it makes sense for him to take on the winner of UFC 169’s main event between UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz and UFC Interim Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao. Although Faber has lost to both men before, after going 4-0 in 2013, Faber has earned one more crack at the belt. And this time, he may take it back to Sacramento.
Fight to make: Faber vs. the winner of Dominick Cruz vs. Renan Barao
Chad Mendes
In a featherweight fight, Chad Mendes defeated Nik Lentz via unanimous decision. Lentz really had nothing for Mendes, and the California native improved to 5-0 in the 145-pound division since suffering his lone career loss, to Jose Aldo at UFC 142.
There are many who believe Mendes has earned his rematch with Aldo, and it’s hard to disagree, but I would rather he takes on Cub Swanson in a rematch to determine the next title contender. I believe that Swanson, who is also on a five-fight win streak, has reached another level since the last time he fought Mendes in WEC, and I have a feeling a rematch might go much differently than their first fight went. So do it again, and determine the true number 1 contender for the belt.
Fight to make: Mendes vs. Cub Swanson II
Joe Lauzon
In the opening UFC on FOX 9 main card bout, Joe Lauzon showed he is still relevant in the lightweight division with a dominating decision win over Mac Danzig. Lauzon needed the win badly, as he was on the verge of getting cut after a 1-3 run, but he dominated for 15 minutes and showed he still is a solid gatekeeper type of fighter in the 155-pound division.
For his next fight, I’d like to see Lauzon take on TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson, who recently returned from a long layoff to capture a huge submission win over Mike Rio at UFC 166. I think a fight pitting Lauzon against Ferguson would be nothing but fireworks between two well-rounded and exciting fighters, so I hope this is the direction the UFC is heading in.
Fight to make: Lauzon vs. Tony Ferguson
Ryan LaFlare
In the main event of the FOX Sports 1 prelims, Ryan LaFlare improved to 3-0 inside the UFC Octagon in 2013, as he defeated TUF 11 winner Court McGee via unanimous decision after a closely-fought back-and-forth bout.
This is a big win for LaFlare to cap off what has been a great 2013 for him, and he should get a step up in competition his next time out. So I’m thinking a matchup with Rick Story is in order next. Story is coming off a great win over Brian Ebersole at UFC 167 that got him back into the win column, and, like LaFlare, he’s on the verge of the top 10. So it makes sense as far as the rankings go, and both have similar fighting styles, too.
Even though Story is a long-time UFC vet, he’s actually younger than LaFlare, which makes this fight even more intriguing for me. I’m really thinking this is going to be a great fight if it happens, and I think if it does, the winner should get a top 10 opponent next.
Fight to make: LaFlare vs. Rick Story
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UFC on Fox 9: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 took place on December 14, 2013 at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.
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