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.
Mirko Cro Cop
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 64, Mirko Cro Cop finally got revenge on Gabriel Gonzaga, as he was able to overcome two tough rounds to storm back in the third and knock Gonzaga out with ground and pound. Cro Cop showed good takedown defence and good cardio, and his chin held up nicely, as he picked up his first win in the UFC since 2010.
For his next fight, let’s give Cro Cop a fight with Antonio Silva. Silva was once a top heavyweight, but he’s not anywhere close to that anymore; however, he is still ranked in the top 15 of the division. Fighting Silva, and beating him, would put Cro Cop in the top 15 and would open up some fun rematches for the veteran, so I say book it and make it the main event of the UFC’s first card in Croatia.
Fight to make: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Antonio Silva
Jimi Manuwa
In the co-main event, Jimi Manuwa was able to outpoint Jan Blachowicz and win a close yet clear decision on the judges’ cards. Manuwa didn’t look like his typical destroyer self, but he did show surprisingly good cardio and effective wrestling as well as his trademark striking in taking home a victory in his first fight back after a year-long layoff.
After the fight, it was revealed that Manuwa will be out indefinitely with a knee injury, so it’s unknown when he’ll return. When he does come back though, I say give him a fight against Rashad Evans, who is also out with a knee injury. Both men are ranked in or near the top 10, and both are likely on a similar timetable to return to the cage, so when both are healthy, let them scrap it out, and the winner will be close to earning a light heavyweight title shot.
Fight to make: Jimi Manuwa vs. Rashad Evans
Pawal Pawlak
In a welterweight fight, Pawal Pawlak picked up his first UFC victory, as he was able to edge out Sheldon Westcott and win a unanimous decision. This fight was no fun to watch, but Pawlak at least showed some good takedown defence in the fight, and with the win he will continue to move up the 170-pound ranks.
I don’t think highly of Pawlak, and another welterweight I don’t think highly of is Wang Sai, who like Pawlak is 1-1 in the UFC. I don’t think this would be an exciting fight, but as far as the rankings go it makes sense to book this one and see who the better fighter is. Put it on the prelims of the next card in Europe.
Fight to make: Pawal Pawlak vs. Wang Sai
Maryna Moroz
In a women’s strawweight matchup, Maryna Moroz shocked the MMA world, as she was able to submit top-ranked Joanne Calderwood in the first round in a massive upset. Moroz isn’t well known, but after defeating the de facto #1 contender in Calderwood, there’s no doubt she opened up the eyes of the MMA world, and she could very well get a title shot in just her second UFC fight.
Some will argue she’s not ready for champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and I don’t think she is either, but at the same time, I say book this fight. Beating Calderwood in the fashion Moroz did was ultra impressive, and I think at this point she’s the top contender in the UFC’s newest division. So give her title shot, and see what she’s made out of.
Fight to make: Maryna Moroz vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Leon Edwards
In the welterweight bout that closed out the preliminary card, Leon Edwards knocked out Seth Baczynski in just eight seconds. There really isn’t much to say about this fight — Edwards is a heavy-handed striker and Baczynski is a fading veteran whose chin is mighty suspect. Good for Edwards to get the win, but beating Baczynski isn’t going to land him a title shot or anything like that anytime soon.
Still, the win moves Edwards up the ladder at 170 lbs, and for his next fight I’d like to see him take on Matt Dwyer. Both guys are 1-1 in the UFC, and both guys have really good striking and knockout power. So I say match these two up, and may the better man win, and take a step closer to a fight with someone in the top 20 of the welterweight division.
Fight to make: Leon Edwards vs. Matt Dwyer
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UFC Fight Night 64: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 took place on April 11, 2015 at Krakow Arena in Krakow, Poland.
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