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.
Rory MacDonald
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 54, Rory MacDonald showed he is a bonafide title contender with a stunning third-round knockout of Tarec Saffiedine. MacDonald became the first man to knock Saffiedine out in MMA, and now, with a three-fight win streak in tow over Saffiedine, Tyron Woodley, and Demian Maia, MacDonald wants to fight for the UFC welterweight title.
I believe MacDonald has done enough to earn a crack at the belt, and I think it’s a no-brainer that he take on the winner of the UFC 181 main event between UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler. MacDonald against either fighter would make for an exciting title matchup, and the fans win either way, so hopefully the UFC can book either fight next spring.
Fight to make: Rory MacDonald vs. winner of Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
Rick Story
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 53, Rick Story upset Gunnar Nelson by defeating him on points en route to a split decision victory. Story, who was a big underdog heading into the fight, showed off excellent striking skills in the fight to pick up his third win in his last four fights and re-emerge as a dark horse contender in the crowded UFC welterweight division. Remember, he’s one of only two men to defeat current UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks.
Story absolutely deserves to fight another ranked opponent in his next fight, and I think that a great opponent would be Jordan Mein, who is ranked in a similar spot to where Nelson was last ranked. I think Story vs. Mein would be an excellent stand-up war between two great fighters, and I think it makes sense from a rankings’ perspective, so I really hope this is the route the UFC goes.
Fight to make: Rick Story vs. Jordan Mein
Raphael Assuncao
In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 54, Raphael Assuncao increased his win streak inside the Octagon to seven straight fights, as he took home a clear-cut unanimous decision over Bryan Caraway. Assuncao said after the fight that he wants his next match to be for the belt, but with no date set for the TJ Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz title fight, Assuncao may have to fight again.
I believe Assuncao has done enough to fight for the title, but I don’t want to see him sit out a year waiting for his title shot, and I think the UFC should keep him busy. That being said, there’s only one fight that makes sense for him — a title eliminator against Renan Barao. This is the only fight that makes sense for both fighters at the moment, and I think this is the route the UFC should take instead of having either fighter sit out for a long period of time, or fight someone not deserving.
Fight to make: Raphael Assuncao vs. Renan Barao
Max Holloway
In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 54, Max Holloway improved his UFC record to 7-3 with a first-round knockout win over Akira Corassani. Holloway, who has now won four fights in a row — all by stoppage — is only 22 years old and, if he keeps winning, could potentially be a top 10 fighter in the next year. I think he’s one of the most underrated fighters in the division, and would like to see the UFC give him a chance to move up the ladder.
Holloway should fight a top opponent in his next outing, and I think Chan Sung Jung — the man he replaced against Corassani — makes sense. “The Korean Zombie” is always injured, but if he’s healthy he’s one of the top fighters in the division and makes a lot of sense as Holloway’s next opponent as “Blessed” looks to take the next step in his young career.
Fight to make: Max Holloway vs. Chan Sung Jung
Jan Blachowicz
In a light heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 53, Jan Blachowicz had an impressive UFC debut as he stopped Ilir Latifi in the first round with a body kick and punches. Blachowicz was a sizeable underdog heading into the fight, but he proved with the victory that he’s a solid light heavyweight, and he’s earned himself a step up in competition for his next outing.
The light heavyweight division is shallow, but a potential opponent for Blachowicz is the winner of the upcoming fight between Fabio Maldonado and Hans Stringer, which takes place at UFC 179. Maldonado is ranked #15 in the UFC internal rankings, and Stringer would take Maldonado’s place in the rankings if he wins, so either way, the winner of this fight would be the next logical step for Blachowicz, who deserves the chance to fight a ranked fighter.
Fight to make: Blachowicz vs. winner of Fabio Maldonado vs. Hans Stringer
Elias Theodorou
In one of the main card bouts at UFC Fight Night 54, TUF Nations winner Elias Theodorou continued his winning ways, as he remained undefeated with a unanimous decision win over Bruno Santos. Theodorou didn’t get the finish, and he certainly didn’t look as impressive as he did in his TKO win over Sheldon Westcott at the TUF Nations Finale, but he did outwrestle a strong fighter in Santos, and he got his hand raised at the end of 15 minutes to improve to 2-0 in the UFC.
Theodorou, who is only 26, has a lot of potential, and the UFC shouldn’t throw him into the deep waters just yet. However, he deserves a step up in competition. He mentioned Ed Herman after the fight, but Herman is already fighting Derek Brunson at UFC on FOX 13. With Herman booked, I’d like to see Theodorou take on Magnus Cedenblad, who picked up a win over Scott Askham on the UFC FN 53 card earlier in the day. Cedenblad, who is 3-1 in the UFC, would be a great test for Theodorou, while for Theodorou a win over Cedenblad would be the biggest of his career. I think this fight makes sense and I’d love to see it.
Fight to make: Elias Theodorou vs. Magnus Cedenblad
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UFC Fight Night 53 took place on October 4, 2014 at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 53 was.
UFC Fight Night 54: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine took place on October 4, 2014 at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 54 was.
