This is probably the fastest I've ever had a matchmaker post up. Fuck I'm awesome. Anyways, fights were ok, seen better cards before, but I've also seen worse. Too many decisions.
Cut List - Rafaello Oliveira, Kendall Grove
Rampage Jackson vs the winner of Shogun Rua v Forrest Griffin
Even though he didn't get a finish, Rampage still looked very good in defeating Matt Hamill. Going forward, Rampage is likely one fight away from a title shot, and a fight against either Rua or Griffin would both push him towards a title shot, as well as be a shot for redemption (Rampage holds losses to both guys). Had he finished Hamill, he could have secured a title shot, but with the title held up for the next while, a fight against either Rua or Griffin would solidify a title shot (the same goes for either Rua or Griffin - if they win they would also likely get a shot).
Matt Hamill vs the winner of Kyle Kingsbury vs Fabio Maldonado
Hamill didn't even come close to winning in his decision loss to Rampage Jackson, and didn't look like he was ready to be one of the top guys in the division. A fight against the winner of Kingsbury v Maldonado would be a solid next fight for Hamill, as it should be against someone at a similar level as him.
Frank Mir vs Alistair Overeem
Some say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not
... the only one
What?
Some say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. That's the lyric
No, I don't think that's it
DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS WAS FUCKING HILARIOUS
Roy Nelson vs Mirko Cro Cop
The less said about Nelson's performance the better. Cro Cop said he wants one more fight, and Nelson needs to bounce back in a big (snicker) way. Really, what I want to see is Nelson get in better shape so that he can actually fight the best guys in the division, but at the same time, the whole fat guy shtick is kinda his thing.
Travis Browne vs the winner of Cheick Kongo v Pat Barry
Browne picked up a big win when he KOed Stefan Struve in the first round, and a logical next step would be the winner of the upcoming Kongo v Barry fight. If Kongo wins, Browne gets a rematch against someone he went to a draw with, and if Barry wins, Browne gets to face a top-level kickboxer who would be coming off the biggest win of his career. Either guy would be a tough test, but that's exactly what Browne needs - a tough test to see if he's a real contender at heavyweight.
Stefan Struve vs the winner of Joey Beltran v Aaron Rosa
Struve's chin betrayed him again, and for the third time in eight UFC fights he got KO'ed in the first round. Unlike the other two, this loss wasn't to one of the top guys in the division (though Browne could end up being there). He needs to go back to the drawing board, and that's exactly what he would be doing fighting the winner of Beltran v Rosa, who are both at the bottom of the ladder in the division. Struve should easily be able to beat either guy, and he needs to if he wants to stay in the UFC.
Rick Story vs the winner of Carlos Condit v Dong Hyun Kim
Had Story fought the third round against Thiago Alves like he fought the first two, he would probably get a title shot. As it stands, he'll have to settle for a top contender fight against the winner of the upcoming Condit v Kim match-up. Both Condit and Kim provide interesting match-ups for Story, as both are strong grapplers with solid striking skills. If Story can win there, he'll get the next crack at the belt
Thiago Alves vs Martin Kampmann (given that Kampmann beats John Howard)
Thiago Alves managed to pick it up in the third round, but still lost a decision to Rick Story. With three losses in his last four fights (granted, the other two losses were to Georges St. Pierre and Jon Fitch) he needs to rebound, and why not match him up with a guy who has also been struggling. Kampmann has lost back to back fights (both by close decision) and is looking to rebound against John Howard. Should Kampmann make it past Howard (which I feel he will), a fight against Alves makes sense for both guys - both guys should be fighting other top guys, and both need to start putting a bunch of wins together if they want to get title shots.
Brian Stann vs Michael Bisping
This fight has been confirmed - the two will coach opposite each other on the next season of the Ultimate Fighter. I just pray to sweet merciful god that they don't do that "US vs UK" thing again. Or if they do, actually put good fighters on the show. Because why not?
Demetrious Johnson vs the winner of Joe Benavidez v. Eddie Wineland
Johnson continues to impress after picking up a win over former champ Miguel Torres, and a top contender fight with the winner of Joe Benavidez and Eddie Wineland is the logical next step for Johnson. Alternatively, Johnson could be put right into a title shot, as he certainly has done enough to warrant one, but I think he should fight once more before he fights for a title.
Tim Boetsch vs Jorge Santiago
These guys had very different outcomes in their fights - Boetsch controlled Kendall Grove on route to a lopsided decision win, while Santiago had his chin betray him once again in a second round TKO loss to Brian Stann. Boetsch gets a chance to pick up a win against a guy higher on the ladder, and for Santiago, he gets to prove at least some of the hype for him coming back to the UFC was warranted.
Gleison Tibau vs Takanori Gomi
Tibau looked very good in a second round submission over Rafaello Oliveira, and it's time he got another chance to break into the top of the division. A fight against Gomi would be one of the biggest fights of his career, and would certainly push him up the ladder should he win. For Gomi, he needs to bounce back from a weak showing against Clay Guida, and Gleison Tibau does not pose the same bad style match-up as Guida did. This would be a very important fight for both guys - A win for either guy would put them in the top of the division, while a loss would be bad for Tibau, and worse for Gomi (he would likely be cut with another loss). With stakes like that, both guys should come out looking to impress, and that sounds good to me.
Michael McDonald vs the winner of Edwin Figueroa v Jason Reinhardt
McDonald managed to pull out a very close split decision win over Chris Cariaso, and likely isn't ready for a big step forward. A fight against the winner of Figueroa v. Reinhardt would present McDonald a chance to continue his growth as a fighter, and in the case of Figueroa, a rematch of a Fight of the Night performance. I'm sure Figueroa would want that rematch as well, so it makes sense for both guys. Fuck Jason Reinhardt.
Chris Cariaso vs Miguel Torres
Both these guys are coming off very close decision losses, and both need to bounce back. Torres is coming off a much more high profile fight, and isn't really at risk of being cut (the same can't be said for Cariaso), but he still needs to score a big win in order to move back towards the top of the division he once reigned. For Cariaso, this is a big chance to make his name off a former champion on (at least it seems) the decline and solidify his status in the UFC
Renan Barao vs Ian Loveland
Barao has a fairly solid UFC debut win over Cole Escovedo, but he still looks like he could do more. A fight against Ian Loveland should be a good next test for Barao - good enough opposition that Barao will have to work, but still a fight in which he would clearly be the favorite and would be able to impress.
Cole Escovedo vs Charlie Valencia
Escovedo put up a solid effort on short notice against Renan Barao, and a fight against another veteran of the division like Valencia would give both a chance to prove they belong in the UFC, as well as provide for an exciting style match-up. Do it up.
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