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.
Luke Rockhold
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 55, Luke Rockhold was able to end Michael Bisping’s trash talk as he finished him in the second round with a guillotine choke. Rockhold is one of the most complete fighters in the sport and there’s no doubt he’s on the shortlist for contenders at 185 pounds in the UFC.
After the fight, Rockhold called out “Jacare” Souza, and I want to see this fight. The two previously competed in Strikeforce, where Rockhold defeated Souza in an upset to claim the Strikeforce middleweight title. Both guys are next in line for a UFC title shot now, and at this point, the only fight for both men is a bout against one another with a title shot on the line for the winner.
Fight to make: Luke Rockhold vs. Jacare Souza 2
Al Iaquinta
In a lightweight bout, Al Iaquinta defeated Ross Pearson via second-round knockout for the biggest win of his career to date. Iaquinta moved to 5-2 in his UFC career, and with the win over Pearson moves into the top 20, although a recent loss to Mitch Clarke is holding him back.
For his next fight, Iaquinta should fight Beneil Dariush, who recently moved to 3-1 in the UFC with an upset win over Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC 179. It’s an interesting style matchup, and I really think we need to see Iaquinta fight another BJJ guy after the loss to Clarke. If he can’t beat a guy like Dariush, then he really doesn’t deserve a step up in competition.
Fight to make: Al Iaquinta vs. Beneil Dariush
Robert Whittaker
In a middleweight matchup, Robert Whittaker was able to knock Clint Hester out in his 185-pound debut in what was one of the bigger upsets on the entire card. I, for one, was very confused as to why Whittaker moved to middleweight, but he looked awesome in this fight, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for him.
Whittaker is now 4-2 in the UFC and 1-0 at middleweight, and deserves a solid opponent in his next fight. A good next opponent for Whittaker is Sean Strickland, who is 2-0 in the UFC. Strickland didn’t do much in his last fight, barely edging out a decision over Luke Barnatt, and I want to see him fight someone who will pressure him. So put him against Whittaker and see what happens between these two flawed youngsters with a lot of potential.
Fight to make: Robert Whittaker vs. Sean Strickland
Soa Palelei
In a heavyweight contest, Soa Palelei was able to finish Walt Harris with a second-round TKO. Things weren’t looking good for Palelei in the first stanza, as Harris was able to pick him apart from range, but in the second Palelei got the takedown, got into a dominant position, and finished the fight with a TKO via punches from mount. Palelei improved to 3-1 since his return to the UFC with the win, and certainly is a prototypical gatekeeper at 265 lbs.
In a few weeks at UFC 181, Todd Duffee takes on Anthony Hamilton. Along with Palelei, these guys are in the same position in the heavyweight division, meaning they are decent fighters with knockout power that are nowhere near contenders. It makes sense for Palelei to fight the winner of that bout, and the winner could perhaps get a step up.
Fight to make: Palelei vs. winner of Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton
Jake Matthews
In a lightweight battle, Jake Matthews was able to improve to 2-0 in the UFC with a second-round submission win over Vagner Rocha. Matthews has looked awesome in the UFC since the conclusion of TUF Nations, and considering he is only 20 years old, the sky is the limit for this guy.
Matthews called out Joe Ellenberger after the win over Rocha, but Ellenberger already has a fight booked, so it makes no sense. Instead of Ellenberger, let’s have Matthews face Michel Prazeres, who is 2-1 in the UFC. It’s a dangerous fight for Matthews, as Prazeres is an effective grinder, but it’s also a winnable fight, and if he does he win Matthews will pick up another big win on his resume as he continues to move up the lightweight ladder.
Fight to make: Jake Matthews vs. Michel Prazeres
**********
UFC Fight Night 55: Rockhold vs. Bisping took place on November 8, 2014 at the Allphones Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. (Due to the time differences, the event aired on November 7, 2014 in the United States.)
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 55 was.
