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.
Rustam Khabilov
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 42, Rustam Khabilov had the best performance of his UFC career to date, but in the end it wasn’t enough, as he succumbed to an incredible finish at the hands of former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson in the fourth round. Still, it was a terrific performance from the young Russian, and he will get a big fight his next time out.
For his next outing, I’d like to see Khabilov take on the loser of UFC on FOX 12’s Michael Johnson vs. Josh Thomson. Both men are ranked in the top 15, and it makes sense for Khabilov to face someone ranked that high up the ladder. So I’d like to see that fight next, since it seems like everyone else in the top 15 is booked at the moment.
Fight to make: Rustam Khabilov vs. the loser of Michael Johnson vs. Josh Thomson
Ross Pearson
In the co-main event, Diego Sanchez won a complete robbery decision over Ross Pearson in what many are calling the worst judges’ decision of all time. Sanchez was picked apart for three rounds, and yet somehow the judges found a way to reward him with the victory even though he didn’t deserve it.
It’s not fair for Sanchez to move up the ladder because the judges are inept, and it’s not right if Pearson drops down the rankings because he got screwed. So let’s do the rematch, only this time on neutral ground. And this time, let’s see if Pearson can get the finish and remove any doubt from anyone’s mind that he’s the superior fighter.
Fight to make: Ross Pearson vs. Diego Sanchez 2
John Moraga
In a flyweight bout, John Moraga had his nose broken late in the second round courtesy of a knee by John Dodson and the doctor stopped the fight in between rounds due to the injury. Still, Moraga showed a lot of heart by wanting to continue to fight, and I don’t think the loss drops him down the ladder too much.
Another flyweight who was finished in a competitive fight recently was Tim Elliott, and I think he makes a very good opponent for Moraga his next time out. This seems like a potential “Fight of the Night” contender between two hard-nosed flyweights and I think it would make a solid addition to any card once Moraga returns from the injury.
Fight to make: John Moraga vs. Tim Elliott
Jason High
In a lightweight bout, Jason High was knocked out by Rafael dos Anjos in the second round with strikes. High’s wrestling looked good early on, but he started to tire out and was finished for the second time in his last three fights, a loss that will drop him down the ladder.
Another lightweight with cardio issues who’s coming off a loss is Francisco Trinaldo. I think a matchup with High makes a lot of sense for both men’s next fight, and I’d like to see the UFC put this matchup in Brazil.
Fight to make: Jason High vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Yves Edwards
In another lightweight bout, Yves Edwards lost his fourth-straight fight in the Octagon, this time by submission to young Piotr Hallmann. Although one of those losses was overturned due to a drug suspension to one of his opponents, in my mind it’s still his fourth straight loss, and it’s possible the UFC will release him if he doesn’t outright retire.
However, if the promotion does keep him around, I think a fight against Drew Dober makes sense. This is a winnable fight for both men, who are both at the bottom of the 155-pound ladder in the UFC, and it’d be a last-chance scenario for both men. So if both men get another fight in the Octagon, this is the matchup I want to see.
Fight to make: Yves Edwards vs. Drew Dober
Erik Perez
And in the opening main card bout, Erik Perez tapped out to a rear naked choke in the second round against Bryan Caraway. Perez had the fight in control in the standup, but for some reason he kept going for takedowns against a submission specialist and deserved to lose the fight.
For his next fight, Perez needs to take a big step down in competition, and I think Yaotzin Meza, who lost to Sergio Pettis on the prelims, makes sense as his next opponent. The UFC could do this fight between bantamweights with Mexican heritage in Mexico this November at UFC 180, where I think it’s the perfect bout for the prelims of that PPV card.
Fight to make: Erik Perez vs. Yaotzin Meza
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UFC Fight Night 42: Henderson vs. Khabilov took place on June 7, 2014 at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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I disagree with the Pearson/Diego rematch. The less we're reminded of that decision, the better although I think the best matchup to make would still do that: Pearson/Gomi in Japan.