T.J. Dillashaw was the focus of UFC on Fox 16. This was his chance to prove that he is the future of the 135-pound division. Not only did he do so, but he blew the doors off of Renan Barao once again. That win cemented his position within the weight class while eliminating the Brazilian from title contention. Now Barao has to pick up the pieces and move forward with his Octagon career on the outside of the title picture. These are fight suggestions for Barao and the other individuals on the card that were unable to get victories.
Renan Barao vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Renan Barao was dominated across four rounds by T.J. Dillashaw. The former champion’s mystique was completely blown away as each blow landed and he looked slower and slower. Now that he’s completely out of title contention, the UFC should keep him away from up and coming fighters at this point in time. Takeya Mizugaki is another fighter who’s been around for a while and would be a good matchup to keep ‘The Baron’ active.
Mizugaki is a fighter who stands and trades in violent exchanges. His style isn’t the most technical at times, but it still effective when he is matched against the right type of opponents. Barao is someone who shines when facing individuals who are willing to stand still and strike. This would be the type of fight that would help Barao garner some excitement, especially if he was fighting in his home country.
Mizugaki vs. Barao works best as a main card bout for a UFC Fight Night event in Brazil.
Jessica Eye’s striking looked very good to start her bout against Miesha Tate. However, she was unable to keep up the performance when ‘Cupcake’ started to blast her with punches. Things became worse when Tate was on top and controlling the positional battle. With this loss, Eye is bumped down the line, but not by a wide margin. Former title challenger Cat Zingano is a worthy option at this point in time.
Zingano faltered in her moment in the sun when Ronda Rousey needed only 14 seconds to put her away at UFC 184. She tried to come out as an aggressive fighter on that night and it cost her. Fighting against Eye would be an opportunity for her to hone that skill against another fighter who is a fast starter. For both competitors, this would be the type of fight that keeps them active and on the outer fringes of the title picture.
Jessica Eye vs. Cat Zingano works as a preliminary card fight for any upcoming UFC event towards the end of 2015.
Paul Felder vs. Nate Diaz
Paul Felder and Edson Barboza put on a striking show for fans during UFC on Fox 16. It seemed as if each blow was intended to violently finish the fight. By the end of the contest, both individuals were badly bruised and covered with battle scars. This was Felder’s first taste of the top tier of the lightweight division. Even though he suffered a loss, there is a lot of value in his future bouts.
Nate Diaz is a viable option for his next opponent. The Stockton native is the type of fighter that would play right into Felder’s style but also be dangerous at the same time. Plus his ability to promote a fight of interest would keep fans talking about Felder’s upcoming bout.
Felder vs. Diaz is best used as a preliminary card “headliner” for a UFC event during the fourth quarter of 2015.
Gian Villante vs. the loser of Patrick Cummins vs. Rafael Cavalcante
Gian Villante suffered a stunning loss to Tom Lawlor via a second round KO. This loss suddenly put an end to his momentum, which had been pushing him up the rankings. This deflating defeat will push him back down the ladder, but he can quickly turn that around if he faces the loser of the upcoming fight between Patrick Cummins and Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante.
Cummins and Cavalcante are slated to face each other at UFC 190. Cavalcante is a former Strikeforce champion that has fallen into obscurity since moving over to the UFC.
Cummins is trying to regain some momentum after being violently finished by Ovince St. Preux at UFC on Fox 15. Neither of these opponents are big names that would draw a lot of fan attention, but they would give Villante an opportunity to score another win in the wide open light heavyweight division.
Villante vs. either Cummins or Cavalcante should be used as a preliminary bout for a UFC event on Fox Sports 1.
UFC on Fox 16 was an opportunity for the UFC to showcase its bantamweight championship.
Not only did T.J. Dillashaw shine in his moment, but a number of standout performances happened throughout the night. Unfortunately, there were individuals like Renan Barao who were not able to get victories. These fight suggestions would put these losing fighters into viable matchups that won’t drop their stock too far.
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UFC on FOX 16: Dillashaw vs. Barao 2 took place on July 25, 2015 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
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