This past weekend the UFC gave fight fans two events in one action-packed Saturday. While this has become expected of the promotion as it looks to grow a worldwide market, the fighters who competed will still need solid matchmaking to increase their notoriety. With that in mind, these suggestions will help move the careers of the individuals who were unable to get the victory in the Octagon.
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Gunnar Nelson
Both Gunnar Nelson and Tarec Saffiedine failed in their attempts to rise higher in the welterweight division. While Saffiedine was the underdog heading into his UFC Fight Night 54 bout, Nelson’s defeat at UFC Fight Night 53 was more surprising. Still, the two competitors could benefit from a matchup against one another in the near future.
Saffiedine and Nelson have value to the UFC as names to build the promotion around in foreign markets. They are two European athletes — Nelson from Iceland, and Saffedine from Belgium — that could rise in the division to the position of contender in the near future. With that in mind, they could be matched against each other on a UFC card in Europe.
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Gunnar Nelson is best suited as a co-main event of a card that is presented from one of their home countries.
Bryan Caraway vs. Eddie Wineland
Bryan Caraway had been looking very effective during his most recent run. Unfortunately, he was unable to keep the momentum going against Raphael Assuncao. However, this defeat should not push him back down the ladder too far, as he wasn’t expected to pull out this win. Still, he should be matched going forward against other tough competitors at 135, and Eddie Wineland stands out as a potential match.
The former WEC bantamweight champion pushed himself to a place in the division where he earned a shot at the UFC strap back at UFC 165, but he fell short to Renan Barao. He’s since gone 1-1, and is still far away from earning another shot, but a win for either competitor would be very valuable at this point.
Caraway vs. Wineland would best be suited as the “main event” of a preliminary card for a UFC PPV.
China’s Li Jingliang has the potential to be a name that the UFC can build its promotion around in the Asian market. It’s well known that the company wants to solidify its place across the Pacific, and Jingliang has shown flashes of being the athlete it would need to do so. A bout against Patrick Cote is the type of fight that would help move the fighter in the right direction.
Jingliang may announce himself as a wrestler/boxer, but its clear he likes to brawl. Cote is the type of competitor that would gladly oblige him in such a contest. Their mashup of styles would easily satisfy the fans who have come to enjoy that style of bout.
Patrick Cote vs. Li Jingliang would work as a main card bout the next time the UFC travels to any Asian country.
Akira Corassani vs. Hacran Dias
Akira Corassani returned to his homeland of Sweden, only to suffer another defeat. He was enjoying a decent run, but has slipped in his last two appearances in the cage. If he is to turn around his current skid, the UFC could match him against another foreign fighter who is currently struggling: Hacran Dias.
When Dias came into the UFC, he was expected to be a highly-touted prospect within the featherweight division. He got off to a quick start, but has dropped his last two fights in the cage. A fight against Corassani would help determine which man should stay on the company’s roster.
Corasani vs. Dias would be best suited as a preliminary bout for a UFC event based in Brazil.
Ilir Latifi vs. Rafael Cavalcante
Ilir Latifi was quietly riding a two-fight win streak before being stopped by Jan Blachowicz this past weekend at UFC Fight Night 53. He stepped up when the UFC needed him against Gegard Mousasi at UFC on Fuel TV 9 back in 2013. Next, he could be matched against Rafael Cavalcante, in order to give him an opponent to stand and strike with in an exciting fight for the fans.
It’s almost hard to remember that “Feijao” was a Strikeforce champion, as he’s struggled within the Octagon. He’s still the hard-hitting striker that earned the belt back in 2010 and has shown glimpses at moments before gassing out in his recent fights. A fight against Latifi would give him an opponent with a similar style in order to set up a highlight-reel type finish.
Latifi vs. Cavalcante should be used as a main card bout for a UFC Fight Night event in either Brazil or Europe.
The UFC staged two more events on foreign soil this past weekend. As the rankings continue to shake out after the wins and losses of the fighters who competed, the matchmakers behind the scenes should look at these suggestions to help build up the men who did not get victories at UFC Fight Night 53 and UFC Fight Night 54.
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UFC Fight Night 53 took place on October 4, 2014 at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
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UFC Fight Night 54: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine took place on October 4, 2014 at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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