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.
Robbie Lawler
In the main event of UFC on FOX 12, Robbie Lawler outstruck and outwrestled Matt Brown en route to a unanimous decision win. Although Lawler couldn’t get the stoppage, he still did enough to clearly earn the nod on the judges’ scorecards. And with a 5-1 record since returning to the UFC, it’s clear that Lawler is one of the best fighters in the world at 170 pounds.
With the win over Brown, Lawler earned a rematch with Johny Hendricks, who narrowly outpointed Lawler at UFC 171 to take home the vacant welterweight title. A rematch between Lawler and Hendricks is extremely intriguing, and it could easily be a Fight of the Year candidate whenever it happens (although the fight could still be a while off with Hendricks still out with injuries).
Fight to make: Robbie Lawler vs. Johny Hendricks 2
Anthony Johnson
In the co-main event of the card, Anthony Johnson absolutely demolished Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a quick first-round knockout. It was Johnson’s second-straight win since returning to the UFC, and it keeps him ranked within the top five at 205 lbs.
For his next fight, Johnson should take on Glover Teixeira, the man currently ranked above him in the UFC rankings. The only other fighters ranked above Johnson right now are Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Rashad Evans, and since Johnson can’t fight any of them for obvious reasons, Teixeira makes sense as his next opponent, and it’s a fight that could headline the next FOX card.
Fight to make: Anthony Johnson vs. Glover Teixeira
Dennis Bermudez
In a featherweight matchup, Dennis Bermudez smashed Clay Guida en route to a second-round submission victory. Bermudez made it look easy, as he stopped Guida’s takedown attempts and battered him on the feet until finding the opening to take Guida’s back and sink in a rear naked choke.
Bermudez has now won seven fights in a row and deserves a step up in competition. For his next fight, Bermudez should take on Ricardo Lamas, who is one of the top five fighters in the division. It’s the right step up for Bermudez at this point of his career, and if he beats Lamas, the UFC will have a hard time denying him a title shot at 145 lbs.
Fight to make: Dennis Bermudez vs. Ricardo Lamas
Bobby Green
In the opening main card bout, Bobby Green used movement and boxing to stifle Josh Thomson and take home a close split decision win. It was an extremely competitive fight that could have gone either way, but Green had a higher workrate and deserved the nod.
For his next fight, Green should take on Michael Johnson, the man he replaced on short notice against Thomson. Green vs. Johnson would be a fantastic fight between two of the fastest fighters at 155 lbs – as well as two of the better boxers in the division – and the winner of the fight would be very close to earning a top-five ranking in the lightweight division.
Fight to make: Bobby Green vs. Michael Johnson
Jorge Masvidal
In the main event of the FOX prelims, Jorge Masvidal took home a unanimous decision win over Daron Cruickshank. Masvidal was dropped early in the fight by a Cruickshank right hand, but came on strong in rounds two and three to win the decision on the judges’ cards.
For his next fight, Masvidal should take on the winner of Gray Maynard vs. Fabricio Camoes, which takes place at UFC Fight Night 47. Maynard will likely win that fight, and since he’s currently the man right in front of Masvidal in the UFC rankings, it makes a lot of sense for him to take on Maynard in what would be a fun fight. And if Camoes gets the upset, then he should get the fight with Masvidal.
Fight to make: Jorge Masvidal vs. winner of Gray Maynard vs. Fabricio Camoes
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UFC on FOX 12: Lawler vs. Brown took place on July 26, 2014 at the Revel Casino Hotel in the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC on Fox 12 was.
