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.
Anthony Pettis
In the main event of UFC 185, Anthony Pettis was absolutely dominated by Rafael dos Anjos for 25 minutes to lose the UFC Lightweight Championship. I don’t know what happened to Pettis, but he just didn’t seem like himself. His striking wasn’t effective, his wrestling didn’t look good, and he generally seemed outclassed. There’s no doubt Pettis is an amazing fighter, but perhaps he’s not the pound-for-pound beast that many of us believed him to be.
For his next fight, I would like to see the UFC match Pettis up with another striker in the top 10, and I think that should be Edson Barboza. I think a fight between Pettis and Barboza would be absolute fireworks, and I think it’d be a good opportunity for Pettis to get back on track against another contender. As for Barboza, it’d be a chance to vindicate himself after his recent loss to Michael Johnson. This could be on the main card of any upcoming PPV, and I’m sure the fans would love this one.
Fight to make: Anthony Pettis vs. Edson Barboza
Carla Esparza
In the co-main event, Carla Esparza was completely outmatched by Joanna Jedrzejczyk as she lost her belt via second-round TKO. Esparza’s wrestling wasn’t effective and her striking was non-existent, and she has a long way to go if she wants to get back into title contention following such a one-sided loss.
For her next outing, I think Esparza should get right back into the thick of things by taking on another top contender in the division in the form of Randa Markos. The Canadian standout is rapidly improving and has title aspirations of her own, but she needs to get a standout win on her resume over someone like Esparza to do that. I think this would be a great fight, likely showcasing both women’s high-level grappling, and I think it makes sense on any upcoming Fight Night card.
Fight to make: Carla Esparza vs. Randa Markos
Matt Brown
In a welterweight fight, Matt Brown was outwrestled by Johny Hendricks for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision loss. Brown didn’t look like he belonged in the cage with Hendricks and following a second-straight loss, he has a long way to go to climb back into welterweight title contention.
For his next fight, I think Brown should take on Tarec Saffiedine, the man he was supposed to fight at UFC Fight Night 60 before Saffiedine pulled out with an injury. I think this would be a great fight between two high-action strikers, and it makes sense as the main event of an upcoming Fight Night card or on the undercard of a PPV.
Fight to make: Matt Brown vs. Tarec Saffiedine
Roy Nelson
In a heavyweight matchup, Roy Nelson had his head and body beat into oblivion for three rounds by Alistair Overeem as he lost a unanimous decision. Nelson hurt Overeem at points during the fight, but he just couldn’t hit him hard enough to force a stoppage, and he lost a clear, fair decision.
For his next outing, I’d like to see Nelson take on Josh Barnett. Barnett is hoping to return to the Octagon at some point, and Nelson is still a big name and still a top-15 fighter, despite the loss to Overeem. I think a Nelson vs. Barnett matchup would be a lot of fun and I’d like to see it on any upcoming PPV card.
Fight to make: Roy Nelson vs. Josh Barnett
Chris Cariaso
In a flyweight bout, Chris Cariaso was outgrappled and outstruck by Henry Cejudo as he lost a unanimous decision in his first outing since fighting Demetrious Johnson for the title. Cariaso is a tough veteran, no doubt about it, but it’s pretty clear he’s on the downside of his career, and it’s hard to believe he has much left in the tank following his failed title run.
For his next fight, I think Cariaso should be fed to an up-and-coming prospect at 125 lbs, because I think he’s best suited in that gatekeeper kind of role at this point. Ray Borg makes sense, even though he’s coming off of two wins and Cariaso two losses, because Borg isn’t in the top 15 yet, and a win over Cariaso would get him the chance to finally become a ranked fighter like he deserves.
Fight to make: Chris Cariaso vs. Ray Borg
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UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos took place on March 14, 2015 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC 185 was.
