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.
Johny Hendricks
In the main event of UFC 171, Johny Hendricks defeated Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision to win the vacant UFC Welterweight Championship. It was a terrific fight that was decided by one takedown in the fifth round, and at the end of the night, Hendricks deserved to get the nod and become the new champ.
The UFC is in a tough spot because there is no clear-cut #1 contender out there for Hendricks to fight. If Georges St-Pierre returns, then he would definitely make sense as Hendricks’ next opponent. But if he doesn’t, the UFC will have to go to Plan B, and I have a feeling that would be Nick Diaz, who was in attendance at UFC 171, and who has already asked for a title shot.
Despite the fact that Diaz has lost two in a row, and hasn’t won a fight since 2011, I have a feeling this is the fight the UFC is going to make, based on Diaz’ name and popularity amongst fans. He doesn’t deserve the fight, but I think he’ll get it, and I think the fans will watch it. So get ready for Diaz fighting for the title yet again.
Fight to make: Hendricks vs. Nick Diaz
Tyron Woodley
In the co-main event, Tyron Woodley picked up the biggest win of his career, as he defeated Carlos Condit via injury TKO. However, the finish was funny, and while Condit is a huge name on Woodley’s resume, I don’t know if the way the fight ended should lead to Woodley getting a title shot.
However, I do believe he’s earned at least a #1 contender matchup, and I think a fight against Rory MacDonald makes a lot of sense. MacDonald is right up there in the title rankings himself, but I’d like to see him get tested against a wrestler of Woodley’s caliber before getting a title shot, so make this fight happen, UFC.
Fight to make: Woodley vs. Rory MacDonald
Myles Jury
In a lightweight bout, Myles Jury defeated Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision. Jury was able to pick apart Sanchez from the outside for 15 minutes and win his fifth fight in the UFC, indicating he’s ready for a step up in competition.
I’d like for that to be against the winner of UFC on FOX 11’s Edson Barboza vs. Donald Cerrone. All three of these guys are right around the top 10, and all of them are always in exciting bouts, so pair up Jury with the winner of Barboza-Cerrone and see what happens.
Fight to make: Jury vs. winner of Barboza vs. Cerrone
Hector Lombard
In a welterweight bout, Hector Lombard absolutely dominated Jake Shields for 15 minutes to pick up his second-straight win in the UFC’s 170-pound division. Lombard has looked great since making the move down to 170, and I think he deserves a top-name opponent in his next outing.
I’m thinking a good next opponent for Lombard is Dong Hyun Kim, who recently picked up a massive KO win over John Hathaway. Both Lombard and Kim are top contenders and the winner of this exciting bout could be next in line for a title shot in the UFC welterweight division.
Fight to make: Lombard vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Ovince St-Preux
And in the opening main card bout of the event, Ovince St-Preux easily dispatched Nikita Krylov, taking out the young Ukrainian with a first-round shoulder choke. St-Preux dominated the fight from the opening bell onwards, and he deserves a step up in competition for his next bout.
The next time we see OSP in the cage I hope it’s Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante who is standing across the cage from him. The former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ is 1-1 overall in the UFC and is coming off a big submission via strikes win over Igor Pokrajac at UFC Fight Night 32. I think he makes a great opponent for OSP next, and I’d expect a war between these two if that fight ends up being made.
Fight to make: St-Preux vs. Rafael Feijao
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UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler took place on March 15, 2014 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC 171 was.
