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.
Sara McMann
In the main event of UFC 170, Sara McMann was defeated for the first time in her mixed martial arts career when Ronda Rousey hit her with a knee to the liver in the first round that caused referee Herb Dean to step in and stop the fight. It’s a disappointing defeat for McMann, but the women’s bantamweight division is very shallow, and she’s not too far off from a rematch.
Another fighter who suffered a disappointing loss at UFC 170 was Jessica Eye, who was defeated by Alexis Davis via split decision on the preliminary card. Despite the losses that McMann and Davis suffered, I still rank both women in the top 10 of the division, and based on timing, it makes sense for them to fight each other next to determine who is going to be the contender going forward, and who is going to be the pretender.
Fight to make: McMann vs. Jessica Eye
Patrick Cummins
In the co-main event of UFC 170, Patrick Cummins was obliterated by Daniel Cormier in a minute, losing via knockout in his UFC debut. It was an awful performance by Cummins, but considering he took the fight on such short notice, the UFC will give him another shot.
The UFC should have never booked the fight with Cormier in the first place, and hopefully now Cummins will fight someone more on his level. I think that someone should be Cody Donovan, who is 1-2 overall in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Donovan has shown he does have knockout power but that he can be knocked out himself, so I think a fight against Cummins – someone who exemplifies the same traits – makes a whole lot of sense next.
Fight to make: Cummins vs. Cody Donovan
Demian Maia
In what the “Fight of the Night” of UFC 170, Demian Maia lost a hard-fought decision to Rory MacDonald. Despite it being Maia’s second-straight loss at 170 pounds, there’s no doubt in my mind that his performance demonstrated his top-10 abilities, and I don’t think he drops too far down the ladder with the loss.
For his next fight, I’d like Maia to fight another top-10-ranked fighter. Right now, most of them are booked, but at UFC 171 Carlos Condit and Tyron Woodley will fight, and the loser of that matchup makes perfect sense for Maia’s next opponent. Do it up, UFC.
Fight to make: Maia vs. the loser of Carlos Condit vs. Tyron Woodley
TJ Waldburger
In another welterweight bout on the main card, TJ Waldburger was knocked out brutally for the seventh time in his career, this time by Mike Pyle, who absolutely destroyed the 25-year-old Waldburger with a series of elbows and punches. I really like Waldburger, but being knocked out so many times at such a young age isn’t good for him, and it might be a good idea if he considers retiring from the sport for the sake of his health.
If the UFC does keep him around, though, a fight against someone at the bottom end of the ladder like Anthony Lapsley makes sense. That’d be a fun ground fight with Waldburger, and if the UFC does indeed keep “The Darkhorse” around, they better give him a grappler for an opponent, because at this point I don’t think anyone wants to see him fight a dangerous striker and risk being hurt badly again.
Fight to make: Waldburger vs. Anthony Lapsley
Robert Whittaker
In the opening main card bout of UFC 170, former TUF winner Robert Whittaker dropped to 2-2 overall in the UFC, as he was knocked out for the first time in his career by Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in what proved to be a fun fight for as long as it lasted.
Whittaker is only 23 years old, so he still has a lot of time left to right the ship, but after two straight losses, the UFC needs to give him an easier opponent. I think that should be Bobby Voelker, who has lost three straight fights, but is being kept around for his exciting fighting style. I think a matchup between Whittaker and Voelker would be a stand-up war, and I hope the UFC considers booking this next.
Fight to make: Whittaker vs. Bobby Voelker
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UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann took place on February 22, 2014 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC 170 was.
