UFC 119 Matchmaking

Frank Mir vs Ben Rothwell

Frank Mir is coming off a less than impressive victory over Mirko “Cro Cop”. Mir who was once at the top of the Heavyweight division sill is hanging around but needs an opponent than isn’t washed up. Ben Rothwell who is coming off a slugfest of a victory over Gilbert Yvel. Rothwell is definitely looking to fight a noteworthy fight and Frank Mir would be a good one.

Mirko “Cro Cop” vs Chris Tuchscherer

Mirko “Cro Cop” is maybe a fight or 2 from being cut from the UFC. His performance against Frank Mir showed no signs of a revival in his career. A fight verse someone who isn’t high in the ranking will be a better test to see if he is or isn’t washed up. Chris Tuchscherer is 1-2 in the UFC with both of his losses as well as his last fight by TKO. Tuchscherer is on the brink of being cut but could use this fight to really boost him back. Really any fight with him winning it can help at this point. This could be a UFC cut fight type match.

Ryan Bader vs Jon Jones

This fight is already confirmed for UFC 126. Both are 12-0 in my eyes although Jon Jones has a DQ loss that the fight should have been called way earlier than when the DQ happened. Anyways this fight is definitely one for the ages. 2 superstars battling for a top spot in the light heavyweight division. You can almost imagine that one of these guys could be the light heavyweight champion by 2011.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs Randy Couture

Lil Nog took a step back losing to Ryan Bader but isn’t far out of the equation. Lil Nog has had a odd track record in the UFC. He flat out destroyed Luiz Cane, won a controversial split decision against Jason Brilz, and lost all 3 rounds to Ryan Bader. Randy Couture has a 3 fight win streak that is against either guys who are on the decline or against a true boxer. If Couture decides to keep fighting this would be one that could get him back in the light heavyweight mix.

Chris Lytle vs Mike Pierce

Chris Lytle is riding a 4 fight win streak and avenged his ultimate fighter loss to Matt Serra. Lytle is climbing in the division and is a couple of wins to getting into the welterweight contender mix. Pierce has won 2 in a row since losing to Jon Fitch. Pierce has called out some top contenders but I think he needs to pace himself. Lytle and Pierce could be a fight of the night possibility if Pierce doesn’t use his wrestling.

Matt Serra vs Jake Ellenberger

Matt Serra might be on his last stand here in the UFC. After fighting losing to Lytle Serra has fallen in the welterweight division. On the other hand Ellenberger is on the rise. A notable opponent like Matt Serra might be just the opponent Ellenberger needs to get noticed. Ellenberger in his 3 UFC fights is 2-1 verse 3 notables. His only defeat coming to Carlos Condit, and victories over John Howard, and Mike Pyle.

Sean Sherk vs Joe Lauzon (win or lose in his match against Sotiropoulos)

Sean Sherk is coming off his controversial split decision victory over Evan Dunham. A really good win for Sherk had it not been controversial. Sherk is still a top lightweight in the division and shouldn’t fall because of this. Joe Lauzon has a big match with George Sotiropoulos. It is a big fight no doubt but for Lauzon doesn’t mean a belt chance just yet. If Lauzon wins he will be one fight away from the belt and win or lose Sherk would be a good fight.

Evan Dunham vs Kenny Florian

This fight is already confirmed for UFC 126. After a controversial loss that many had Dunham winning, Dunham is back with another tough opponent in Kenny Florian. Dunham has taken the lighteight division by surprise with 4 straight wins until his recent loss to Sherk. Florian on the other hand has been up and down but just can’t get to the very top. This is a huge fight for Florian, it could very well make or break him.

Melvin Guillard vs Yves Edwards

This fight is already confirmed for UFC Fight Night or Versus in January. After defeating Jeremy Stephens Guillard wanted to fight Takanori Gomi but instead will verse veteran Yves Edwards. This is a good fight for the fast rising Guillard but not the fight he thought he as going to get. This is an even bigger fight for Yves Edwards who has revived his career winning 5 out of his last 6 fights. One being his return to the UFC fight where he dominated John Gunderson. Should be an interesting fight.

Jeremy Stephens vs Ross Pearson

Both these guys are coming off tough losses that could of put them in a good spot in the lightweight division. Jeremy Stephens was on a 2 fight win streak until this fight. Pearson who was the Season 9 ultimate fighter winner was riding a 4 fight in streak. Pearson stood up with Cole Miller and had some success until round 2. This could be a slugfest if they stick to their stand up game, also could be a fight of the night type fight.

C.B. Dollaway vs Dave Branch

C.B Dolloway is on a nice run in the middleweight division winning his last 3 fights. His submission skills were on display in the Doerksen fight and boy iy was relentless. Dave Branch who is only known know by the guy who was KO’ed on a slam by Gerald Harris won his first fight in the UFC in September. He also probably avoided being cut because his opponent was cut from the UFC. Branch is also good on the ground and does not have a bad stand up game. Could be a brawl between 2 rather lanky fellows.

Joe Doerksen vs Dan Miller

This fight is already confirmed for UFC 124. This is basically a fight that both fighters need. You win and you live another day in the UFC. You lose and you have to work your way back up through smaller organization. Virtually a cut fight.

Matt Mitrione vs Mike Russow

Both are rising in the heavyweight division. Mitrione aka Meathead has won his first 3 professional mma bouts all within the UFC. Meathead KO’ed Marcus Jones, TKO’ed Kimbo Slice, and recently won in a unanimous decision against Joey Beltran. Russow is 13-1 with 2 wins in the UFC and hasn’t lost in 3 years plus. Russow is most noted for the knocking out the top heavyweight prospect as well as recently cut Todd Duffee. Meathead and Russow would definitely be one heavyweight bout I’d like to see, and there will be fist flying.

Joey Beltran vs loser of Schaub vs Gonzaga

Beltran may have lost to Matt Mitrione but put on a hell of a show. This was also his first loss in the UFC after previously going 2-0. He is a rising prospect in the UFC and no way does he fall to far after a great fight. Loser of Shaub vs Gonzaga would definitely fall into a good fight for Beltran and the loser to get back on track. It would also be a Knockout of the Night honors type fight.

Thiago Tavares vs Terry Etim

This would be a very interesting to fight to see. Both are excellent submission artist. Both have 11 wins by submission so it wold be very interesting to see how they would approach the fight. It would be a technical one for sure.

Pat Audinwood vs John Makdessi

This fight is already confirmed for UFC 124. Audinwood who was undefeated coming in the UFC had a career setback losing for the first time. He will get another chance now against a newcomer who is undefeated in John Makdessi. Makdessi is a hard striker in which 6 of his 7 wins come by TKO. It will be interesting to see if Audinwood can bounce back or Makdessi make a name for himself.

*The Rest are just names and pictures*

Waylon Lowe vs Rafael Dos Anjos

Steve Lopez vs Aaron Riley

T.J. Grant vs Ricardo Almeida

*Confirmed Fight*

Julio Paulino vs David Mitchell

Sean McCorkle vs Stefan Struve

*Confirmed Fight*

Mark Hunt vs Anthony Perosh