Fights to Make After UFC 166
Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum:
At UFC 166 Cain Velasquez once again defended his UFC Heavyweight title against the only man to defeat him, Junior dos Santos. This dominating win for Velasquez won him the trilogy and truly gave him the title of the “Baddest Man on the Planet.” On the other hand, Werdum is on a three fight winning streak and it has been made clear by UFC President, Dana White that he will be getting the next shot at the Heavyweight strap.
Junior dos Santos vs. Josh Barnett/Travis Browne loser or Alistair Overeem:
The winner of the bout between Barnett and Browne will likely be the next man in line for a Heavyweight title shot after Werdum, while the other will be put on the back-burner. It’s hard to think of another fight for dos Santos, but it’s very possible that the UFC puts on a JDS vs. Alistair Overeem fight, but only if Overeem can get past Frank Mir in their upcoming bout.
Daniel Cormier vs. Rashad Evans/Chael Sonnen winner:
Cormier completely out-classed Roy Nelson on Saturday night in a unanimous decision victory. Cormier has been adamant that his next fight will be taking place at Light Heavyweight. The timing works perfectly that he could take on the winner of Evans and Sonnen for contender-ship. It would be a good match-up to get Cormier started in the division without the UFC having to kill off a contender by pairing him up against Alexander Gustafsson or Phil Davis. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cormier was thrown in with one of those men.
Roy Nelson vs. Antonio Silva/Mark Hunt loser:
C’mon, who wouldn’t want to see this fight? While the Hunt vs. Silva fight will be a war in it of itself, who would pass on the opportunity to see Roy Nelson face off with either of these men?
Gilbert Melendez vs. TJ Grant:
Speaking of wars, Gilbert Melendez was just came out on top in a vicious war with Diego Sanchez. There isn’t anyone else who I can think of that would make more sense for Melendez than Grant. Grant was supposed to get a title shot, but suffered a concussion and was forced to withdraw. It doesn’t look like Grant will be getting an immediate title shot when he returns, so a title eliminator against Melendez makes the most sense.
Diego Sanchez vs. Gray Maynard/Nate Diaz loser:
There was no doubt that Sanchez lost the fight to Melendez, but he once again proved he has a lot of heart and the ability to square off with any man in the 155 pound division. Although he lost, I still believe he deserves a top 15 ranked Lightweight. The loser of the Maynard vs. Diaz makes perfect sense.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Antonio Silva vs. Mark Hunt winner:
Gonzaga has won five of his last six fights, his only loss coming against top contender Travis Browne. He needs a step up in competition coming off a knockout win and the winner of the Silva vs. Hunt fight will provide him with exactly that. It would likely place him in the top 10 with a win over either man.
Shawn Jordan vs. Matt Mitrione:
Jordan is 2-2 in his last four, while Mitrione is 1-3. With the UFC trimming the roster it might be a good idea to pair these men in a loser leaves town match.
John Dodson vs. Demetrious Johnson/Joseph Benavidez winner:
Normally one impressive fight after a title fight doesn’t put you right back into another title fight. However, the UFC’s Flyweight division is thin and no one else in the division has proved themselves worthy of a shot at the belt. If Dodson doesn’t get another shot at the title I could also see him being matched up with the winner of John Lineker vs. Phil Harris
Darrell Montague vs. John Lineker/Phil Harris loser:
In my opinion, Montague in one of the top Flyweights in the world, but he may have been thrown in the fire too soon in his UFC debut against Dodson. The UFC should give him a fight to see if he can compete in the UFC. The loser of Lineker and Harris will show exactly that. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see him paired against John Moraga or Jussier Formiga, but I believe they should be paired against one another.