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.
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
The main event of UFC Fight Night 50 saw “Jacare” Souza absolutely own Gegard Mousasi with grappling en route to a third-round submission victory via guillotine choke. It was by far the most impressive Souza has looked in the UFC, and it’s a win that should earn him a crack at the UFC Middleweight Championship.
There’s no doubt Souza proved his elite abilities in the fight, and I firmly believe he should fight for the title next against the winner of UFC 181’s Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort. I don’t know if he beats either guy, but I think he makes either fight competitive. Regardless, he’s shown he’s damn good, and he deserves to fight for the strap.
Fight to make: Jacare Souza vs. winner of Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort
Ben Rothwell
In the card’s co-main event, Ben Rothwell pulled off a massive upset with a stunning first-round KO of Alistair Overeem. Rothwell improved to 4-3 overall in the UFC with the win, and not only that, also jumped into the top 15 of the division for sure, and maybe even the top 10 by dispatching the overrated Overeem.
This was a huge win for Rothwell, a true veteran of the sport, and positions him for a big fight his next time out. And I think that should be a fight against Stipe Miocic. I do feel that Miocic is ranked higher, and yes, I know he beat Gabriel Gonzaga, who beat Rothwell, but still, the heavyweight division is shallow as heck. And Miocic is sitting around waiting for a fight and can’t get it. So give him Rothwell and let the winner inch closer to a – gasp – heavyweight title shot.
Fight to make: Ben Rothwell vs. Stipe Miocic
Matt Mitrione
In a main card heavyweight bout, Matt Mitrione knocked out Derrick Lewis in brutal fashion in just 21 seconds. He was the underdog heading into the bout, but showed the majority was sleeping on him with a brutal knockout over a solid up-and-comer in Lewis, who has a lot of work to do before he can beat a top guy like Mitrione.
I feel like Mitrione is ranked somewhere between 15 and 20 in the division, and I think Gabriel Gonzaga is just a step ahead of that, and I think Mitrione’s earned a fight with a vet like Gonzaga. Yes, Gonzaga is a better overall fighter, with his solid boxing and BJJ skills having propelled him to huge wins in the division (including over the likes of Ben Rothwell) but Mitrione has more knockout power and a better chin. This is an even match, if you ask me, and I hope the UFC books this, because it would result in either a highlight-reel submission or a highlight-reel knockout.
Fight to make: Matt Mitrione vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Joe Lauzon
In the opening main card bout, Joe Lauzon managed to cut open Michael Chiesa with his improved Muay Thai to score a doctor’s stoppage in round two. It was a sizeable upset by Lauzon, who proved by beating Chiesa that he’s still the guy at 155 pounds that rising contenders need to get through in order to prove themselves as legit.
For his next fight, Lauzon can fight anyone exciting at 155 lbs who is ranked in the top 25 of the division and who will give him a good fight. I think either Diego Sanchez or Norman Parke – whoever wins at UFC 180 between the two – makes a perfect opponent for Lauzon in his next fight, as both men are exciting standup fighters coming off of wins who would be a solid fight for Lauzon.
Fight to make: Joe Lauzon vs. winner of Diego Sanchez vs. Norman Parke
John Moraga
In the featured prelim bout, John Moraga escaped some early danger from Justin Scoggins by finding a way to grab his neck and submit him with a beautiful guillotine choke in round two. Moraga was on the bottom, but his squeeze was perfect, and he should be commended for such a great submission against a top prospect in Scoggins.
Moraga is definitely top five in the division and deserves to face someone of similar rank in his next bout. And I’d like for that to against Jussier Formiga, who recently defeated Zach Makovsky at UFC Fight Night 47 to cement his place in the top 10 of the division. I’d love to see Moraga vs. Formiga, as I feel it would be a competitive grappling-type bout that would be a thriller for fans of the fight game. And, as far as rankings go, it makes total sense as well — two marks of a great fight.
Fight to make: John Moraga vs. Jussier Formiga
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UFC Fight Night 50: Jacare vs. Mousasi took place on September 5, 2014 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 50 was.
