UFC 117 Fighters Matchmaking
Anderson Silva vs Winner of Chael Sonnen vs Vitor Belfort
VS
With Anderson Silva out till 2011, it only makes sense for this fight to happen. Vitor Belfort was originally supposed to get Silva at UFC 112 but got hurt prior to the event. Belfort will be ready to go around November and so will Chael Sonnen. This fight would decide who gets Silva next. Belfort hasn’t fought since dismantling Rich Franklin in 2009 and is coming off an injury. Sonnen recently loss to Silva at UFC 117 but destroyed Silva for 4 1/2 Rounds until making a huge mistake which resulted in a submission loss. This would be an ideal and exciting fight with Silva out till 2011.
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Jon Fitch vs Winner of George St. Pierre vs Josh Koscheck
VS
Jon Fitch now has won 5 in a row since losing to George St.Pierre. He recently defeated Thiago Alves for the 2nd time, Alves was the 3rd ranked fighter in the Welterweight division. Fitch deserves a title shot next verse the winner of GSP and Koscheck. He has beaten some top fighter, and has beaten guys on short notice which is tough for a fighter. Though he is unimpressive in the fans eyes by winning by decision every fight, he show why he is a top wrestler.
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Thiago Alves vs Loser of Martin Kampmann vs Jake Shields
VS
Thiago Alves even with his recent loss to Jon Fitch and before that George St. Pierre is still at the top of the welterweight division. Jon Fitch should be next in line for a title shot and then the winner of Martin Kampmann vs Jake Shields should be next after that. The loser of the fight wouldn’t fall out of the top and Alves hasn’t either. It would be a good co main event or main card fight.
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Clay Guida vs Tyson Griffin
This would be a good rematch to have especially with Guida and Griffin around the top 15 welterweights. Guida has been on the rise with 2 straight wins now, and the once top ten Griffin on the downfall with 2 straight losses. This would be an exciting rematch just like the first fight at UFC 72 when Griffin won by split decision. It was a close fight that could of went either way and a fight Guida would want to erase with a win. Griffin needs a bounce back win and to beat Guida who is one of the toughest welterweights would be a notable win.
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Rafael Dos Anjos vs Kurt Pellegrino
Both Rafael Dos Anjos and Kurt Pellegrino have lost there last fights after being on the rise in the lightweight division. Dos Anjos was riding a 3 fight win streak before losing to Clay Guida and Pellegrino was riding a 4 fight win streak before losing to George Sotiropoulos. Although Pellegrino might be higher in the rankings than Dos Anjos but this would be a very good technical fight to watch. Both are more strong suited at submitting people, could be an exciting fight and a bounce back fight for both as well.
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Matt Hughes vs Mike Swick
Matt Hughes is quickly climbing back in the welterweight division since his loss to Thiago Alves. Hughes is riding a 3 fight win streak since the loss that many felt was Hughes last but he proved them wrong. Mike Swick who was once a fight away from GSP, then loss another fight has fell down in the ranking but not to far. Swick has also been calling out Hughes to fight him, so this could be a real possible match. Both men have a lot to gain and a lot to lose from this fight. Hughes with a win would get himself into a big fight that could get him into the mix of a title shot. Swick could end his 2 fight losing streak and up
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Ricardo Almeida vs Denis Siver
Ricardo Almeida and Denis Siver would be a good main card fight for UFC 122 in Germany. Almeida is recently coming off a loss to a top 10 welterweight in Matt Hughes, before that he had a nice 3 fight win streak and was on the rise. Siver has won his last 4 out of 5 UFC fights and deserves to start versing some top guys. Almeida is a worthy opponent and Siver would like to take him down in his hometown. Almeida could use this win to bounce him back from his Hughes loss.
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Junior Dos Santos vs Winner of Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquez
VS
It is already known that this fight is taken place. With a win over Roy Nelson at UFC 117 Junior Dos Santos has earned a shot at the Winner of Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquz. Dos Santos has quickly rolled over the competition in the Heavyweight division which has tabbed him a title shot. Whoever wins between Brock Lesnar vs Cain Velasquz will set up another fireworks fight with Junior Dos Santos.
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Roy Nelson vs Shane Carwin
After losing his shot at a title opportunity to Junior Dos Santos who is a tough opponent to begin with. No one wanted a part of Junior Dos Santos and Roy Nelson stepped up and earned a lot of respect throughout the MMA community. Shane Carwin on the other hand is fresh off his loss to Brock Lesnar for the belt. Carwin absolutely pummeled Brock Lesnar in the 1st round which almost was stopped but he punched himself out and was submitted in the 2nd round. This would be an ideal bounce back fight both.
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Rick Story vs Johnny Hendricks
Both Rick Story and Johnny Hendricks have taken the UFC by surprise. Rick Story since his first UFC fight and loss to John Hathaway has worked his way up the welterweight division with 4 wins in a row. Hendricks is undefeated in the UFC and is also riding a 4 fight win streak. Both are up and coming stars in the welterweight division and what a better way to match them up and see who is for real. Both seem to have a nice career in the UFC thus far, and to face each other could really jump one into some main card bouts.
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Dustin Hazelett vs Damarques Johnson
This would be a Cut match in which the loser is cut from the UFC. Both haven’t had consistent success in the UFC and both need a win. Hazelett has loss his last 2 fights, and is 5-4 in the UFC. Johnson lossed his last fight and is now 2-2 in the UFC. Both would win 2 in a row but can’t make that extra leap to become a dominant fighter. This would be a good fight for both to have.
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Phil Davis vs Ricardo Romero
Another fight that would be really interesting to see is Paul Davis and Ricardo Romero. Paul Davis seems unstoppable since his UFC Debut and has a 3-0 record in the UFC so far. Ricardo Romero who recently debuted in the UFC won an impressive bout against Seth Petruzelli. Romero got beat up in the first but keep pushing forward and wound up submitting Petruzelli. There is a lot of promise shown from both fighters as well as hype. This would be a good fight to see a possible star in the light heavyweight division.
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Rodney Wallace vs Seth Petruzelli
Rodney Wallace if he doesn’t get cut and is given one more opportunity in the UFC could have an ideal fight waiting in Seth Petruzelli. Petruzelli is in the same situation almost as Wallace. Petruzelli was cut by the UFC in the past before returning in UFC 116. Petruzelli would go on to lose to Romero but he put on a good show in the 1st round most likely the factor to earn him another bout. This would be a another cut fight in which the loser gets cut. Wallace needs this win to avoid going 0-4 in the UFC, and Petruzelli needs a win to prove to himself and the UFC that he belongs.
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Tim Boetsch vs Stephan Bonnar
Tim Boetsch recently won his return to the UFC but he was supposed to verse a top 10 fighter in Thiago Silva before being replaced by Todd Brown. I think Boetsch needs a good fight to prove himself and Stephan Bonnar would be a good start. Stephan Bonnar also needs a good fight to prove he belongs in the UFC. Bonnar was almost cut from the UFC but won his last fight verse Krzysztof Soszynski. Beating Boetsch would be a good way to get back to the top. Probably another “Cut Fight” for both fighters.
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Stefan Struve vs Pat Barry
Stefan Struve got back on track with a win at UFC 117. Struve was so close to getting into the mix in the Heavyweight division before losing to Roy Nelson in his previous fight before his UFC 117 win. Pat Barry is a rising star in the Heavyweight division even though he lost to Mirko “Cro Cop” at UFC 115. Barry had knocked Mirko “Cro Cop” down 2 times in that fight, and broke his hand and foot. Although he lost via submission he doesn’t fall that far. This could be a good fight for both these guys. Both are notable fighters, and both want to get back on top.
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James Irvin vs Todd Brown
If Irvin doesn’t get cut he could try to revive his career verse Todd Brown. Irvin has lost his last 3 fights including to Anderson Silva. Irvin was once a highly regarded fighter but since this 3 fight losing has fallen to the point of possibly being cut. Todd Brown made his debut at UFC 117 replacing Thiago Silva and lost to a very tough Tim Boetsch. This would be another tough fight for Brown but could be a big stepping stone if he wins. Irvin needs a win if he is given the shot at another fight in the UFC.
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Christian Morecraft vs Chris Tuchscherer
Christian Morecraft lost in his UFC 117 debut to a good fighter in Stefan Struve but he did show that he is capable of fighting in the UFC with his first round performance. Morecraft was expected to be derailed but he actually surprised many by winning the first round verse Stefan Struve before getting knocked out in the 2nd. As for Chris Tuchscherer he hasn’t really had success in the UFC and is 1-2. He has fought some tough competition and hasn’t really shown he is ready to take it to the next level. He is coming off a TKO to Brendan Schaub and is in jeopardy of a job in the UFC, so this could be a good fight for both guys.
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Ben Saunders vs Dan Hornbuckle
Despite being cut by the UFC Ben Saunders isn’t a fighter who is far from competing at that level. Saunders was once a contender in the welterweight division but couldn’t beat top guys like Jon Fitch and Mike Swick. The loss to a non top fighter like Dennis Hallman is what warranted the cut. Dan Hornbuckle has put together a nice career. A fight verse Saunders could get him recognized by the UFC. As for Saunders this fight could be a stepping stone back to the UFC for Saunders.
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Dennis Hallman vs Charlie Brenneman
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