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.
Renan Barao
In the main event of UFC 173, Renan Barao saw his 33-fight unbeaten streak snapped, as TJ Dillashaw beat him up badly over five rounds before finishing him in the final few minutes of the fight, in a true breakthrough performance. It was by far the worst we have ever seen Barao in the Octagon, and he will need to win another fight before laying claim to a title shot.
Some are saying Barao should get an immediate rematch, but I disagree. He should have to take on another contender first, and that should be Dominick Cruz, who is hopefully returning from injury later this year. These two have a lot of unfinished business with one another, and now, with both men needing to prove something, it makes sense for them to square off, with the winner receiving a title shot.
Fight to make: Renan Barao vs. Dominick Cruz
Dan Henderson
In the co-main event, Dan Henderson was beaten down by Daniel Cormier over the course of nearly three full rounds before being submitted with a rear-naked choke with just under two minutes to go in the fight. It was a poor performance by “Hendo” overall, but losing to a stud like Cormier isn’t the end of the world, and Henderson said after the match he wants to keep fighting.
If he does continue fighting, I’d like to see Henderson cut to 185 pounds and take on fellow veteran Rich Franklin in a rematch. The pair fought at UFC 93, with Henderson eking out a close split decision, and now, years later, with both men on the final legs of their respective careers, let’s see a rematch between these two. This is a bout that could serve as the final fight of both fighters’ legendary careers.
Fight to make: Dan Henderson vs. Rich Franklin 2
Jake Ellenberger
In a welterweight contest between two heavy-handed sluggers, Jake Ellenberger was knocked out for the second time in his career, as Robbie Lawler took it to him and finished him in the third round with a knee and punches. It was Ellenberger’s second-straight loss, and it’s a loss that drops him way back in the welterweight pecking order.
For his next fight, Ellenberger should take on another fighter who has been a disappointment, and that’s Erick Silva, who is coming off a destructive loss to Matt Brown. Ellenberger vs. Silva would be an exciting fight that’s winnable for both men, and it makes sense as the co-main event for a Brazilian UFC Fight Night card.
Fight to make: Jake Ellenberger vs. Erick Silva
Francisco Rivera
In a bantamweight contest that held title implications at 135 pounds, Francisco Rivera saw his win streak snapped, as Takeya Mizugaki outstruck and outwrestled him en route to a clear-cut unanimous decision win. It was Rivera’s first loss in three years, so he shouldn’t drop out of the top 10 with the loss.
Another fighter coming off a loss who’s ranked in the top 10 is Eddie Wineland, who was knocked out by Johnny Eduardo at UFC Fight Night 40. I think fellow strikers Rivera and Wineland match up very well with one another, and considering both are coming off losses, it makes sense to do a fight between them.
Fight to make: Francisco Rivera vs. Eddie Wineland
Jamie Varner
And in the opening main card bout, Jamie Varner suffered a leg injury in the first round against James Krause and ended up losing via first-round TKO when the doctor wouldn’t let him continue. It was Varner’s third loss in a row, but because of the toughness he showed in defeat, he will likely get one more fight in the Octagon.
Varner is likely to be out a while, but when he gets back, the UFC should throw him a softball and give him someone like Justin Edwards, who is on a two-fight losing streak himself. It’d be a do-or-die match between two scrappy lightweights, and I would definitely like to see it on a prelim card later this year when Varner returns.
Fight to make: Jamie Varner vs. Justin Edwards
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UFC 173: Barão vs. Dillashaw (formerly UFC 173: Weidman vs. Machida, UFC 173: Weidman vs. Belfort) took place on May 24, 2014 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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