The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale brought yet another season of the UFC’s reality show to a close. In addition, Frankie Edgar put an end to the career of icon B.J. Penn in the card’s main event. With all these fights over, these suggested fights for the victors will help build more interest in the more established fighters, while slowly acclimating the two TUF champions to the highest level of mixed martial arts.
Frankie Edgar vs. Urijah Faber
The UFC rankings provide an interesting talking point when looking at any competitor within the organization. Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar find themselves in similar positions now that they have recently won in the UFC’s Octagon. They remain highly-ranked in their respective divisions, but they both have recently lost to the current titleholder in the division. Rumors swirled earlier in the year that Faber and Edgar could be matched against each other at featherweight, the division that Faber once held gold. This potential fight could keep both fighters active and give the UFC a strong main event for a free TV show. Every bout doesn’t have to have immediate rankings impact; a win for either competitor would still be very valuable.
Frankie Edgar vs. Urijah Faber would work as the main event of a UFC on Fox card.
Corey Anderson vs. Steve Bosse
The newest member of the UFC’s light heavyweight division looked good in his bout to earn the TUF contract. At this point in the show’s existence, the fighters that make their way to the winner’s circle are more projects than prospects in the truest sense of the word. With that in mind, the UFC needs to slowly grow Corey Anderson into his role on the roster. Matching him against Steve Bosse would be a good first step in that process.
Bosse is a fighter that many people may not know because he has not yet competed in the UFC. He’s on the organization’s roster at this time, but has not appeared on an event. Pairing him with Anderson on a smaller card, such as a UFC Fight Pass event, would give the matchmakers the opportunity to test the TUF winner and see what he has to offer the organization.
Eddie Gordon vs. Dylan Andrews
Eddie Gordon looked powerful against Dhiego Lima, the brother of Bellator champion Douglas Lima. While he was able to pummel the season favorite in Lima, Gordon still needs work in key areas if he is going to stay in the UFC. Dylan Andrews is an experienced fighter that is 2-1 in the UFC. He would be an interesting test for the power striking style that Gordon brings into the Octagon. This bout should be booked for a UFC Fight Pass event to slowly build a following for the newest middleweight to join the organization.
Dustin Ortiz vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
Dustin Ortiz pulled out a win against the undefeated Justin Scoggins in their flyweight matchup, and every win is valuable in the still-developing flyweight division. He should next be placed into a matchup against Kyoji Horiguchi, who has burst on the scene with wins in his first two appearances in the UFC.
Horiguchi vs. Ortiz would create a buzz for the winner. Both guys are ranked in the top 15 of the flyweight division and looking to make a run towards a shot at the current champion, Demetrious Johnson. This pairing would be best used as a main card opener for a UFC card presented on Fox.
The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale was a solid show that featured established fighters and new personalities in the organization. Now that the event has come to a close, these fights will help push the winners in a positive direction, to keep their careers moving forward.
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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.
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