UFC Fight Night 52 was a event that featured a number of exciting fights for the Japanese fans. While mainstream North American fans may have missed out on the action due to the early a.m. start time, this was a good showing for all the fighters who made the trip across the Pacific Ocean. But for the fighters with victories in hand, these potential next pairings could further their growth as needed:
This isn’t a flashback to the early 2000s; both Mark Hunt and Andrei Arlovski are relevant in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Hunt’s knockout of Roy Nelson in the main event and Arlovski’s disposal of Antonio Silva in the headliner at UFC Fight Night 51 has placed them both on the radar within the weight class of big men.
Arlovski vs. Hunt is the type of fight that excites mainstream fans because someone is going to get knocked out. Striking is the forte of both men, and they have shown a propensity to finish or be finished.
Arlovski vs. Hunt would work best as the main event of a UFC event on Fox.
The 15-0 Myles Jury has quietly flown under the radar in the UFC’s lightweight division. Maybe it’s his style or the fact that he doesn’t call out every fighter by name, but the division should begin to pay attention to the Alliance MMA competitor. Matching him against the surging Bobby Green would be the right step for both competitors.
Green is riding an 8-fight win streak that started back in Strikeforce. His two recent upsets over Josh Thomson and Pat Healy were surprising to many. Both Jury and Green have interesting styles that mix well against each other. Both have wrestling in their back pockets, but are quick to strike.
Green vs. Jury would work as a main card opener for a UFC PPV at the end of 2014.
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Thiago Alves
Yoshihiro Akiyama is a big name in the Asian MMA market. He earned a strong victory over Amir Sadollah in a fight that wasn’t meant to launch either into contendership at 170 pounds. However, “Sexyama” should be used to build talent outside of the North American MMA scene. Placing him into a matchup against Thiago Alves in Brazil would benefit both competitors.
Alves looked good in his return to action against Seth Baczynski at UFC on Fox 11. He was away from the sport for an extended time and should be afforded a slow pace of return to his title contention form. A fight against Akiyama is a move in the right direction.
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Thiago Alves would work as a main card bout for a UFC Fight Night event in Brazil presented on UFC Fight Pass.
Meisha Tate vs. Sara Kaufman 2
Meisha Tate earned her second Octagon win by dominating Rin Nakai on Saturday. Unfortunately for Tate, she’s well outside the women’s bantamweight title picture because she has been defeated by Ronda Rousey twice. This should be a factor in matching her against Sara Kaufman in the near future.
Five years ago Kaufman was able to defeat Tate at Strikeforce Challengers 1. Since then Kaufman has also been defeated by Rousey, but she remains a tough competitor in the bantamweight division. As they continue to find their way in the UFC, this would be a good bout to keep them both busy.
Meisha Tate vs. Sara Kaufman 2 works best as a main card event for a UFC Fight Night show on Fox Sports 1.
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. John Moraga
Kyoji Horiguchi is another competitor that has been flying under the radar even though he is on a decent streak. After his win this past Saturday, he called out the current flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson. But before he’s given such a shot, he should be matched against a former title challenger in John Moraga.
Horiguchi has shown the abilities of a complete mixed martial artist. Moraga is always a tough out who stays within the top ten of this weight class. If Horiguchi can pull off a win, that would place him on the short list of title challengers.
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. John Moraga should be a main card fight for a UFC event on Fox.
With wins in their back pockets, these fighters have an interesting futures in the UFC to look forward to. As the promotion looks to create more interesting fight matchups, these suggestions would go a long way in helping the elite emerge from the rest.
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UFC Fight Night 52: Hunt vs. Nelson took place on September 20, 2014 at the Saitama Arena in Saitama, Japan.
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