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.
Donald Cerrone
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 45, Donald Cerrone picked up another highlight-reel finish, this time with a vicious head kick knockout on Jim Miller. Cerrone is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, bar none, and after his latest win, deserves to fight a top contender at 155 pounds.
Cerrone called out Khabib Nurmagomedov in the weeks leading up to the fight, and now that he’s won it, I believe this is the fight the UFC should make next. Nurmagomedov wants a title shot, but until he beats someone of Cerrone’s caliber he doesn’t deserve it. So match these two up and see exactly where both men are.
Fight to make: Cerrone vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Edson Barboza
In the co-main event, Edson Barboza proved once again he is one of the best kickers in the entire sport, and he nailed Evan Dunham with a kick right to the body before finishing him off with strikes to bounce back into the win column.
Barboza is one of the top fighters at 155 lbs, and should only be fighting guys in the top 15 from here on out. For his next fight, I would like to see Barboza take on the winner of UFC on FOX 12’s Daron Cruickshank vs. Jorge Masvidal. I think this is the perfect matchup to make next, and I think it would be amazing for the fans to watch.
Fight to make: Barboza vs. winner of Daron Cruickshank vs. Jorge Masvidal
Rick Story
In a welterweight bout, Rick Story defeated Leonardo Mafra via second-round submission to earn what should have been his fifth-straight win in the Octagon, if not for the judges robbing him against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 171 and against Mike Pyle at UFC 160.
Story deserves to fight someone ranked high in the division, and I think a good fight for him next would be a date against Ryan LaFlare when he returns from injury. It’s a perfect matchup for both guys because it would show where they stack up at 170 lbs, and it would be exciting too, so I hope UFC matchmaker Joe Silva books it.
Fight to make: Story vs. Ryan LaFlare
Joe Proctor
In a lightweight bout, TUF 15 veteran Joe Proctor came back from being down early – and from a nasty hematoma on the side of his head — to knock out Justin Salas in the second round with strikes and improve to 3-1 overall in the UFC. Another impressive win by Proctor, and he should move up the ladder because of it.
Proctor should get a mild step up for his next bout and I think a fight against Piotr Hallmann, who is 2-1 in the UFC, makes sense. This would be a fun fight between two tough guys, and makes sense on any upcoming Fight Night card.
Fight to make: Proctor vs. Piotr Hallmann
John Lineker
In a flyweight bout, John Lineker and Alp Ozkilic put on a “Fight of the Year” contender, as they went back and forth for nearly the full 15 minutes before Lineker crushed Ozkilic with just nine seconds left in the third round and won the fight via TKO. It was a great performance by Lineker especially, and he remains a top contender at 125 lbs.
Lineker is a top contender at flyweight and deserves to face another top contender. For his next fight, let’s have Lineker square off against the winner of Brad Pickett vs. Ian McCall, and the winner of that matchup can get the next title shot at 125 lbs.
Fight to make: Lineker vs. winner of Brad Pickett vs. Ian McCall
Lucas Martins
In another featherweight bout, Lucas Martins defeated Alex White via third-round KO (punches) to pick up his third win in the UFC. Martins, who is only 25, has now won fights in the UFC at 155 lbs, 145 lbs, and 135 lbs, and with his constant improvement in every fight, he is someone to definitely keep an eye on in the future.
For his next fight, I would like to see Martins take on Godofredo Pepey, who is also coming off of an impressive KO win. I think Martins vs. Pepey is the perfect fight to open up a Fight Night card in Brazil, and I hope the UFC books it.
Fight to make: Martins vs. Godofredo Pepey
**********
UFC Fight Night 45: Cerrone vs. Miller took place on July 16, 2014 at the Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 45 was.
Since Nurmy is injured, how about Cowboy vs. the Thomson/Green winner? Cowboy/Thomson winner would be title shot ready, Green would be maybe one fight away if he beat both, & only real downside would be Cowboy over Green would still leave him work to do bu he loves his work so…. 😀