The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale was an action-packed card that featured a number of developing stars across multiple weight classes. With another season of the reality show under its belt, the UFC has some options for the individuals who were able to get their hands raised at the end of their respective fights. Here are some suggestions for the night’s winners:
Tim Kennedy vs. the winner of Mark Munoz vs. Gegard Mousasi
Tim Kennedy earned the biggest win of his career when he defeated Michael Bisping after a 25-minute grappling display. While he seemed slightly outclassed in the striking department, he put on a clinic of mixing wrestling and Jiu Jitsu together. Now the former Strikeforce contender should expect bigger fights as part of his quest for a title shot.
Mark Munoz and Gegard Mousasi are expected to face off in May at UFC Fight Night 41. The winner of that bout would be a good matchup for Kennedy. Mousasi is a former multi-division champion that has shown the ability to score at will with technical striking, while Munoz is a powerful wrestler that could match Kennedy in that field.
Kennedy vs. either Gegard Mousasi or Mark Munoz would work as the co-main event feature bout of a UFC PPV event or Fox card.
“The Diamond” has long been considered one of the dark horses of the featherweight division. When matched against the best of the group he tends to fall short, but at only 25 years of age, he looks improved each time out. He was stunned in the first round of his bout with Akira Corassani, but landed a big uppercut to turn the tide in his favor. The UFC should place him in a bout with Clay Guida to see which guy is ready to move towards contendership bouts.
Guida recently pulled out a one-sided win against Tatsuya Kawajiri to remind everyone in MMA that he’s not one to be overlooked. Pairing him with Poirier would create an action-packed contest from start to finish.
Dustin Poirier vs. Clay Guida should be scheduled for the main card of any PPV event in 2014.
K.J. Noons vs. Mark Bocek
K.J. Noons blasted Sam Stout in their welterweight bout, but the former Strikeforce contender should return to the lightweight division to continue his career. Mark Bocek, who was victorious against Mike de la Torre, would be a good move for the former boxer.
Bocek had been out due to injury for an extended period of time, but looked solid in his return bout. He has always been considered one of the best grapplers at lightweight, and against Noons it would be imperative that he use that strategy to pursue a win, because Noons has shown the ability to destroy competitors that stand and exchange punches with him.
Noons vs. Boeck could be used as a preliminary fight for a UFC card on Fox.
Sarah Kaufman vs. Shayna Baszler
Sarah Kaufman was originally supposed to fight the debuting Shayna Baszler, but instead faced Leslie Smith. The former Strikeforce champion was able to pull out another victory, and looked dominant while doing so. The UFC should try to match her against Baszler when she is ready to return to competition.
This would be a rematch of their fight from 2009, in which Kaufman was able to defeat Baszler. Since then, Baszler has gone on record in stating that she would be able to defeat Kaufman if they were to ever fight again. In a division that is in need of steady contenders for Ronda Rousey, this is the right move that the UFC should make for the third quarter of 2014.
Baszler vs. Kaufman could work as a main card bout of a UFC PPV event.
At 6’1, George Roop may be the tallest bantamweight in the sport of mixed martial arts. That length may serve him well in this weight class, if his body doesn’t suffer from the drastic weight cut. Still, matching him against Alex Caceres would create an important fight for both athletes at this point in their respective careers.
Caceres has looked very good at bantamweight since dropping down into the new division. He shocked many people when he found a way to stop Sergio Pettis in his last bout. Now the alumnus of The Ultimate Fighter should be getting placed into tougher fights going forward. That is the exact type of challenge that Roop would face if they are standing across the Octagon from each other.
Alex Caceres vs. George Roop would work as a main card kickoff fight for a UFC on Fox event.
The winners at the The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale have a lot to look forward to in 2014. Their victories will keep them on the highly volatile UFC roster while moving their careers one step closer to the bigger, money-making fights they all desire.
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The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Canada vs. Australia took place on April 16, 2014 at Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
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