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.
Nick Diaz
In the main event of UFC 183, Nick Diaz dropped a unanimous decision to Anderson Silva in what can only be described as a strange fight. Diaz probably had a bit more success than most people expected, but he still clearly lost every round of the bout, dropping his third-straight fight by decision in the process.
Diaz is still a big name but he should go back down to 170 lbs, where he matches up better with his opponents physically. One guy I’d like Diaz to fight is Carlos Condit, who defeated Diaz via controversial unanimous decision at UFC 143 to claim the interim welterweight title. Condit is coming back from an injury in May, and I think he wants a big fight like Diaz in his return bout. I think Condit vs. Diaz 2 is about as big a fight that the UFC could make using Diaz right now, and I think the fans would enjoy it too. I’m not sure if it’d be on a PPV or a FOX card, but this is definitely a main event fight, and I’d like to see it happen.
Fight to make: Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit 2
Kelvin Gastelum
In the card’s co-main event, Kelvin Gastelum dropped a competitive split decision to Tyron Woodley. Gastelum looked okay at times during the fight, but after missing weight by 10 pounds the day before, it was obvious he didn’t have much energy, and it wasn’t a surprise he lost.
Because he missed weight so badly, the UFC said he has to move up to 185 lbs for his next fight, and I think a good welcome back to the weight class would be Nate Marquardt. Marquardt still carries a name, but he’s getting up there in age, and his chin is bad now. I think Gastelum could have success in this fight, and it’d be the right matchup to get him back on track.
Fight to make: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nate Marquardt
Joe Lauzon
In a lightweight bout, Joe Lauzon was beat up on the feet by Al Iaquinta before the referee mercifully called a stop to the fight in the second due to strikes. Lauzon is a very good fighter but it seems clear he can’t hang with explosive young strikers like Iaquinta, and his days as a top lightweight are done.
The same can be said of Nate Diaz, who looked terrible in his last fight. That said, both of these fighters are always in entertaining bouts, and I think it makes sense to pair them up next. The winner would prove he still has something left in the tank, while for the loser it would likely mean one step closer to calling it a career.
Fight to make: Joe Lauzon vs. Nate Diaz
Tim Boetsch
In a middleweight bout, Tim Boetsch started off strong, knocking Thales Leites down with punches in the first, but he came up short in the second, getting taken down and submitted. Boetsch was a huge underdog and no one expected him to win, but this latest loss puts him far away from title contention.
Still, Boetsch is a top 15 fighter, and he deserves to fight someone else who is ranked. Another middleweight looking for a fight is Tim Kennedy. I believe Kennedy and Boetsch both cut from the same cloth in that they are two scrappy veterans who just want to put on a show for the fans. This would be a great fight, and it would help determine who is still a top 15 fighter, and who isn’t.
Fight to make: Tim Boetsch vs. Tim Kennedy
Jordan Mein
In the opening main card bout, Jordan Mein started off strong against Thiago Alves, nearly finishing the veteran in the first round, but he became overconfident, lost focus, and was brutally finished with a body kick in the second. There’s no doubt Mein is a skilled fighter, but with 39 fights at just 25 years of age, you have to wonder how much damage he’s taken and how much longer he can keep fighting.
I still believe in Mein, but after suffering such a devastating loss, he will have to work his way back up the ladder. For his next fight, Mein should fight an unranked fighter who is coming off a loss, and I think a good candidate for that is John Hathaway. Hathaway is a solid veteran himself, and I think a scrap between him and Mein would make for an entertaining fight for the fans.
Fight to make: Jordan Mein vs. John Hathaway
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UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz took place on January 31, 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC 183 was.
