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.
Rose Namajunas
The main event of the TUF 20 Finale didn’t turn out as most expected, as rising prospect Rose Namajunas — who was surprisingly the favorite — lost in the third round by submission
to Carla Esparza. Namajunas has a bright future in the sport, but it wasn’t her time to wear the belt just yet, and she has a lot of work to do before she ever takes out Esparza.
I think Namajunas is still top 10 in the division though, but she needs to get back on her winning ways, and it makes sense for the UFC to give her a layup fight in her next bout. So I say let her fight Angela Magana, let her beat Magana up, and let her gain some confidence as she marches back towards a title shot.
Fight to male: Namajunas vs. Angela Magana
Jeremy Stephens
In a featherweight matchup, Jeremy Stephens was thoroughly outgrappled by Charles Oliveira en route to a unanimous decision loss. Good for Stephens for not getting submitted, but this fight wasn’t even close, and Stephens badly needs a win in his next fight to stay relevant at 145 lbs.
For his next fight Stephens should take on another 145er coming off of a loss, and I think that should be Dennis Bermudez. I think Stephens vs. Bermudez would be a hell of a fight that the promotion could throw on any Fight Night card coming up, as it would be a Fight of the Night candidate on any card it’s placed on, if it is indeed booked.
Fight to make: Stephens vs. Dennis Bermudez
KJ Noons/Daron Cruickshank
In a lightweight bout that was ruled a No Contest, KJ Noons accidentally poked Daron Cruickshank in the eye, which forced a stop to the fight because Cruickshank couldn’t see due to a torn tear duct. It was a dangerous injury, but fortunately Cruickshank says he’ll only be out for three months, so it thankfully wasn’t a career-ender.
Cruickshank said on Twitter that he still wants Noons, and if he can return in three months I think the rematch makes sense. These two were putting on a good show for the fans prior to the unfortunate end, so hopefully the UFC can re-book this for a future card so we can all get some closure.
Fight to make: Noons vs. Cruickshank 2
Joe Proctor
In a lightweight bout, Joe Proctor‘s win streak was snapped with a first-round submission loss to Yancy Medeiros. He didn’t look good in the fight, and a decisive loss like this will really set Proctor back far in the crowded UFC lightweight division.
For his next fight, Proctor should fight another lightweight coming off of a loss who was on a roll prior to that, and that should be Carlos Diego Ferreira. I think Proctor and Ferreira would put on a fun fight for the fans, and I’d like to see it on a future Fight Night card in Brazil.
Fight to make: Proctor vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Randa Markos
In a strawweight bout, Randa Markos lost a close split decision to Jessica Penne. Markos was very competitive on the feet and on the ground with Penne, but ultimately the American took the win, and the Canadian will have to work her way back up the 115-pound ladder.
For her next fight Markos should fight another strawweight coming off of a loss, and I think Tina Lahdemaki would be a good one. Lahdemaki put on a good showing against Claudia Gadelha in her debut, and would make for a good opponent for Markos, so I hope the UFC goes ahead and books this match.
Fight to make: Markos vs. Tina Lahdemaki
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The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale took place on December 12, 2014 at the The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think the TUF 20 Finale was.
