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.
BJ Penn
In the main event of the TUF 19 Finale, BJ Penn looked old and flat in his comeback fight, as he was taken down at will by Frankie Edgar and finished off in the third round with a brutal series of elbows and punches. It was the third loss in a row for Penn, and his fifth loss in his last seven fights overall.
Although he is still a star, and although he’s still one of the most popular fighters in MMA history, Penn is at the end of the road, and after the fight he announced his retirement in the Octagon. He has “retired” numerous times before only to come back each time, but this time around I really think he means it, and I don’t think Penn will ever fight another mixed martial arts bout ever again.
Fight to make: None. BJ announced his retirement from MMA after the fight.
Matt Van Buren
In the finals of the TUF 19 light heavyweight tournament, Matt Van Buren was stopped by Corey Anderson with strikes early in the first round. Although Van Buren showed some toughness by eating the strikes, the referee made the right call stopping the fight and Van Buren goes back to the drawing board.
For his next bout, Van Buren should take on Sean O’Connell in a battle of light heavyweights coming off of losses. I think this is a very fair match between two fighters barely clinging to spots on the roster, and would like to see the UFC book it for a prelim card in the near future.
Fight to make: Van Buren vs. Sean O’Connell
Dhiego Lima
In the finals of the TUF 19 middleweight tournament, Dhiego Lima was knocked out in brutal fashion in the first round by Eddie Gordon. It was an awful UFC debut by Lima, but he will move down to 170 lbs for his next fight, and that drop in weight classes should help him be more competitive.
Although Lima is a solid prospect, he needs to be built back up after that loss, and a good opponent for him would be David Michaud, who lost in his UFC debut at UFC 173. This is a fair fight between two fighters who need to win to stick around, and surely works as a prelim for a Fight Night card.
Fight to make: Lima vs. David Michaud
Guto Inocente
In a heavyweight match, Guto Inocente made a poor return to the Octagon, as he came back from a two-year layoff only to lose to Derrick Lewis via first-round knockout in a one-sided beating. It was a bad loss for Inocente, but he’s still young and can come back from this defeat.
Inocente is a small heavyweight, but if he decides to stay at 265, then a good opponent for him next time out would be Viktor Pesta, who lost in his UFC debut this past May. This is a fair fight between two fighters in desperate need of a win to stay on the roster, and it works for any upcoming card in Brazil or Europe.
Fight to make: Inocente vs. Viktor Pesta
Justin Scoggins
In the opening bout of the night, Justin Scoggins lost a razor-thin split decision to Dustin Ortiz in a furious flyweight battle. This was a terrific match between two young and improving 125ers, and although many thought Scoggins won, the judges didn’t, and he will have to work his way back up the ladder.
For his next fight, Scoggins should fight Danny Martinez, who has lost both of his UFC fights via competitive decisions. Martinez is solid test for anyone in the division, and I think that he and Scoggins, who each put on “Fight of the Night” performances in their respective last outings, would put on a hell of a fight for the fans.
Fight to make: Scoggins vs. Danny Martinez
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The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale took place on July 6, 2014 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think the TUF 19 Finale was.
