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.
Anderson Silva
In the main event of UFC 168, Anderson Silva broke his leg throwing a kick in the second round, as Chris Weidman proved he is the undisputed UFC middleweight champion with a second-straight win over the G.O.A.T. It was a devastating injury to Silva that ended the fight, and considering he is 38 years of age, it’s very likely he doesn’t fight again.
However, there is always the chance he does make a miraculous return, just as there is a chance that former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre eventually makes a return. These two legends and the UFC’s biggest stars are both on the decline, but this long-talked-about super fight has never made any more sense than now, and it would help us determine who truly was the best mixed martial artist of the last decade. Again, I know that this is very unlikely to go down because of Silva’s injury, but if I could book any fight for both of these fighters, this would definitely be it.
Fight to make: Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre
Miesha Tate
In the co-main event of the card, Miesha Tate showed her usual heart and valor, but ultimately it wasn’t enough, as UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey proved to be just a much better fighter, winning via armbar in the third round of what was deemed UFC 168’s “Fight of the Night.” It was an excellent fight, but Tate is no longer in the title picture after this loss.
Another fighter who isn’t in the title picture any longer is Liz Carmouche, who was recently defeated by Alexis Davis. I think that a fight between Tate and Carmouche makes a ton of sense right now, and I think it has a good chance of winning some post-fight bonus awards, so I’d like to see it happen at some point.
Fight to make: Tate vs. Liz Carmouche
Josh Barnett
In a heavyweight matchup, Josh Barnett was KO’d for the first time in 11 years when Travis Browne hit him in the side of the head with a number of vicious elbows while Barnett was fishing for a takedown. It’s a bad loss for Barnett, and it likely keeps him out of the title picture for the foreseeable future.
Another fighter who is out of the title picture at the moment is former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. I believe that it makes sense at this time to book these two top-10-ranked fighters against each other, and I have a feeling that fans would be in for another spectacular heavyweight war if they meet.
Fight to make: Barnett vs. Junior dos Santos
Fabricio Camoes
In a lightweight bout, Fabricio Camoes looked to be in control of Jim Miller, but out of nowhere, Miller pulled off a brilliant armbar to get the W and end Camoes’ hopes of collecting his first UFC win in nearly two years. For his next fight, I’d like to see Camoes take on another grinder in Pat Healy.
Healy recently had a no contest to Miller, and Camoes lost to him, so I think that with all of these three fighting each other, the combination of recent opponents and styles makes a fight between Camoes and Healy a solid addition to any upcoming fight card.
Fight to make: Camoes vs. Pat Healy
Diego Brandao
In the opening fight of the night, an overweight Diego Brandao showed flashes of brilliance against Dustin Poirier, but in the end, his lack of conditioning cost him, as he tired out and was knocked out cold with hammerfists near the end of round one.
It was a bad loss for Brandao, and since he missed weight as well, his stock is no doubt at an all-time low now. So is Rony Jason’s, who recently lost to Jeremy Stephens via vicious KO at UFC Fight Night 32. I think a battle between two Brazilians and former TUF winners would be absolute fireworks, and I hope the UFC pairs these two up in the near future.
Fight to make: Brandao vs. Rony Jason
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UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva II took place on December 28, 2013 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC 168 was.
