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.
Conor McGregor
In the main event of UFC 189, Conor McGregor knocked out Chad Mendes in the second round to earn the UFC Interim Featherweight Championship. Mendes controlled the first round with his wrestling and was well on his way to winning round two as well, but McGregor clipped him on the chin and finished him in the last 10 seconds of round two for the biggest win of his career to date.
For McGregor’s next fight, the only opponent he should be fighting is Jose Aldo, the UFC Featherweight Champion. The UFC has to make this fight next, and if one of them gets hurt this time around, then they should just reschedule it. The fight just has to happen, because it will prove to the world who the best featherweight in the sport is, and after seeing McGregor take on Mendes, there is a very real chance that McGregor is the best in the world right now.
Fight to make: Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo
Robbie Lawler
In the co-main event, Robbie Lawler defeated Rory MacDonald via fifth-round TKO to defend his UFC welterweight title. Lawler and MacDonald went back and forth for 20 minutes, with each landing shots that hurt one another, but Lawler ultimately landed the more damaging blows, and MacDonald was hurt badly enough in the fifth that he couldn’t make it to the final bell, earning Lawler a TKO stoppage.
For his next title defence, let’s see Lawler take on Johny Hendricks, the man he won the title from at UFC 181, in a trilogy fight. Lawler and Hendricks already had two wars, and with both men being the top two fighters in the division, it makes sense for them to meet in a third fight. We’ll find out who the better man is, as the two split their first two bouts.
Fight to make: Robbie Lawler vs. Johny Hendricks 3
Jeremy Stephens
In a featherweight bout, Jeremy Stephens picked up a huge victory, as he knocked out Dennis Bermudez in the third round with a jumping knee and punches. Stephens missed weight, which puts a small ding on his performance, but overall he looked great in this fight, and the win should move him into the top 10 of the featherweight division.
For his next fight, I’d like to see Stephens take on Clay Guida. Both guys are always in exciting fights, so matching these two vets up with one another would create a tremendously-exciting fight that the fans would love. It makes sense to put this on an upcoming Fight Night card.
Fight to make: Jeremy Stephens vs. Clay Guida
Gunnar Nelson
In a welterweight fight, Gunnar Nelson was able to knock down and then submit Brandon Thatch in an exceptional performance from the Iceland native. Many were down on Nelson after his loss to Rick Story in his last fight, but he showed with the win over Thatch that he’s still one of the top welterweights in the division.
For his next fight, I’d like to see Nelson take on the winner of Neil Magny vs. Demian Maia, which takes place at UFC 190. I’ve always wanted to see Nelson take on Maia, so if he beats Magny next month, this is the perfect time to make it happen. And if Magny somehow gets the upset, a fight between him and Nelson would be great for the fans as well.
Fight to make: Gunnar Nelson vs. winner of Neil Magny vs. Demian Maia
Thomas Almeida
In the opening PPV bout, Thomas Almeida improved to 3-0 in the UFC with a second-round flying knee KO of veteran Brad Pickett. Almeida was losing the fight up until that point, but what a comeback by the top prospect, who is now 19-0 in his young career with 18 of those wins coming by stoppage.
Beating a guy like Pickett in such devastating fashion is a huge feat for the 23-year-old Brazilian, who absolutely needs a step up for his next fight. I propose he takes on Franciso Rivera next. Rivera is coming off of a brutal KO win of Alex Caceres himself and is ranked in the top 15 of the division. Both men are fantastic strikers and ranked closely to one another, so I think this fight makes a ton of sense to be booked next.
Fight to make: Thomas Almeida vs. Francisco Rivera
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UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor (formerly UFC 189: Aldo vs. McGregor) took place on July 11, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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