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.
Frank Mir
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 71, Frank Mir earned a huge upset knockout win over Todd Duffee, flattening his heavyweight opponent with massive punches in the first round. Mir has now won two straight fights by knockout, and despite being 36 years old, he’s still a relevant fighter in the UFC heavyweight division.
For his next fight, I’d prefer to keep Mir in a gatekeeper role and have him fight someone like Shawn Jordan, who has won three straight fights by knockout. Jordan is coming off of an amazing knockout win and so is Mir, and with both men not being in title contention, I think this would be a really exciting fight between two heavyweight sluggers looking to jump back into the title conversation. Put it on a PPV in the fall.
Fight to make: Frank Mir vs. Shawn Jordan
Tony Ferguson
In the co-main event, Tony Ferguson earned his sixth-straight win in the UFC, as he dominated Josh Thomson for a decisive decision victory. Ferguson showed incredible standup in this fight, and also displayed his grappling skills as he beat Thomson to a pulp for a career-defining win that cements his place in the top 10.
For his next fight, Ferguson should fight Eddie Alvarez. Ferguson is knocking on the door for a title shot, but he needs to beat a top-five guy to get it. Alvarez is coming off of a huge win over Gilbert Melendez, and if he beats Ferguson, he’d be right there for a title shot as well. I think this would be an amazing matchup between two fantastic lightweights, and I’d love for it to headline a Fight Night card because it’s the kind of fight that needs to be five rounds.
Fight to make: Tony Ferguson vs. Eddie Alvarez
Holly Holm
In a women’s bantamweight contest, Holly Holm dominated Marion Reneau with her striking to earn her second-straight Octagon win. Holm was very impressive in this fight and although she didn’t earn the finish, she still showed some nice skills as she continues to move up the women’s 135-pound ladder.
For her next fight, let’s see Holm take on Alexis Davis. This is a tough fight for Holm, but if we want to find out for sure if she’s a title contender, we need to see her take on someone like Davis, who has proven herself to be a top-five fighter in the division. Davis is coming off of a win and needs an opponent, and with Holm taking no damage against Reneau, it makes sense for these two to fight on a PPV card in the fall.
Fight to make: Holly Holm vs. Alexis Davis
Manny Gamburyan
In a bantamweight affair, Manny Gamburyan improved to 2-0 at 135 lbs with a dominant decision victory over Scott Jorgensen. Gamburyan’s wrestling was on point, he showed off some submission skills, and he exhibited power as he beat up Jorgensen for his second-straight win since dropping down a weight class.
For his next fight, let’s match up Gamburyan with Frankie Saenz, who is ranked in the top 15. Both men are in their 30s, both are 2-0 at 135 lbs in the UFC, and both have similar fighting styles. I think this is a good matchup, and the winner of this fight would earn himself a date with a top-10 guy his next time out.
Fight to make: Manny Gamburyan vs. Frankie Saenz
Kevin Lee
In a lightweight contest, 22-year-old Kevin Lee continued his winning ways, as he submitted James Moontasri in the first round with a rear-naked choke. Lee has looked awesome in the UFC, going 4-1 overall, but this was by far the most impressive victory of his career, and he’s going to be looked at as a future title contender going forward.
For his next fight, I’d like to see Lee take on fellow prospect Johnny Case, who is 3-0 in the UFC. I think both guys are awesome prospects, and while pitting them against one another would bump one off for the time being, the truth is that 155 lbs is pretty packed anyways, so one of these two has to get ahead of the pack. I’d love for this fight to take place on the prelims of a big PPV event, or even as the main card opener on a FOX card.
Fight to make: Kevin Lee vs. Johnny Case
Alan Jouban
In the opening main card bout, Alan Jouban had a spirited affair with Matt Dwyer, as the two fighters went back-and-forth on the feet for 15 minutes, with Jouban eventually taking a unanimous decision victory. Jouban is now 3-1 in the UFC, and with his combination of good looks and fighting skills, the UFC would be wise to build him up even more.
For Jouban’s next fight, I’d like to see him fight veteran Kenny Robertson, who has won three straight fights. Robertson is one of the most underrated welterweights in the division and would be a good test for Jouban, but it would also be a winnable fight for Jouban, one that he could take in impressive fashion, as Robertson has been knocked out before. It’d be a great fight on any Fight Night card.
Fight to make: Alan Jouban vs. Kenny Robertson
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UFC Fight Night 71: Mir vs. Duffee took place on July 15, 2015 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California.
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