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.
Demain Maia
In the UFC Fight Night 62 main event, Demian Maia dominated Ryan LaFlare en route to a unanimous decision victory. Maia’s ground game was dominant throughout 25 minutes of fight time, as he was able to hand LaFlare the first loss of his career and re-emerge as a contender. It was a nice underdog victory in a bout where way too many people counted him out.
For his next fight, I think Maia should take on Jake Ellenberger. Both of these guys are ranked around the same place in the division, and I think a fight between these two would present a stylistic clash that would be a fun time for the fans. So I hope this is the direction the UFC goes with both guys next.
Fight to make: Maia vs. Jake Ellenberger
Erick Silva
In the co-main event, Erick Silva finished off Josh Koscheck’s career with a first-round submission victory. Koscheck was somehow able to survive Silva’s bomb, but he was submitted for the second-straight time and lost for the fifth time in a row overall, as his career more than likely comes to an end.
For his next fight, let’s have Silva take on Ben Saunders, who he was originally booked to fight on this card before Saunders pulled out with an injury. Silva vs. Saunders is a hell of a fight, and it’s one that I hope we get to see while both men are on winning streaks, so ideally it happens next. Plus, it’s a fight you can make as the co-main event for an upcoming Brazilian Fight Night card.
Fight to make: Silva vs. Ben Saunders
Leonardo Santos
In a lightweight bout, TUF Brazil 2 winner Leonardo Santos put on his best performance inside the Octagon yet, as he remained undefeated as a UFC fighter with a beautiful second-round rear-naked choke win over Tony Martin. Santos has gone 3-0-1 since winning the show, and he’s going to get a step up after yet another massive submission victory.
In his next fight, let’s give Santos a step up in competition, as I propose he takes on gatekeeper Gleison Tibau. I know Tibau is coming off of a loss, but we all know he’s a great fighter, and if Santos can beat him it will prove he’s legit. This would also be an opportunity for Tibau to bounce back after his recent loss to Tony Ferguson. Put it on any Brazil show and call it a day.
Fight to make: Santos vs. Gleison Tibau
Amanda Nunes
In a women’s bantamweight fight, Amanda Nunes absolutely brutalized Shayna Baszler en route to a vicious first-round stoppage when she buckled Baszler’s knee with a leg kick and finished the fight. Nunes is one of the few female bantamweights with any sort of momentum that haven’t fought champion Ronda Rousey yet, and with another couple of wins she could be contending for the title.
For her next outing, let’s have Nunes take on the winner of UFC 186’s Alexis Davis vs. Sarah Kaufman. All of these women are looking for a crack at the belt, and I think Nunes against either of them would make for an exciting fight, with the winner of the fight being on the short list to fight Rousey for the women’s bantamweight championship.
Fight to make: Nunes vs. winner of Davis vs. Kaufman
Gilbert Burns
In a lightweight contest, Gilbert Burns was able to rally after losing the first two rounds to little-known Alex Oliveira to come back in the third and win via armbar submission. This was a hell of a fight, and both men deserve a lot of praise for their performances, but ultimately Burns was the man of the night, as he was able to earn a highlight-reel submission. With the victory Burns moved to 3-0 inside the Octagon, and he will get a step up in his next fight, no doubt about it.
For his next fight, let’s have Burns take on the winner of UFC on FOX 15’s Paul Felder vs. Jim Miller. Burns deserves a step up in competition, and the winner of Miller and Felder will be right on the cusp of the top 15. I think Burns versus either man makes for an exciting fight, but especially if it’s Miller, as I think he and Burns would put on a great grappling match.
Fight to make: Burns vs. winner of Felder vs. Miller
Godofredo Pepey
In the featherweight bout that kicked off the main card, Godofredo “Pepey” Castro earned a beautiful first-round submission victory over the talented Andre Fili for his third-straight first-round finish in the UFC. Pepey was never a guy I thought highly of coming off of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil season one, but he’s turned into a hell of a fighter, and this was an impressive performance that should earn him a step up in competition.
For his next fight, let’s have Pepey square off with another exciting featherweight in the form of Maximo Blanco. Pepey is 4-3 in the UFC and Blanco is 3-4, so they both have similar records, and they have a few common opponents as well. I think these two match up very well, and I think a fight between them would be crazy, potentially giving the fans a highlight-reel finish or a Fight of the Night contender. Put it on the next Brazil card.
Fight to make: Godofredo Pepey vs. Maximo Blanco
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UFC Fight Night 62: Maia vs. LaFlare (formerly UFC Fight Night 62: Faber vs. Assuncao) took place on March 21, 2015 at Maracanazinho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 62 was.
