With UFC 135 in the books, and our awesome play by play commentary from Will Cooling available for everyone to view, it’s time to play matchmaker after UFC 135 and figure out what’s going to happen. Joe Silva has a tough spot in trying to design matches for fighters after this.
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans – Rashad and Jon need to fight. All the trash both have been talking has come to this point. Both are hurt, Jones limping around and Evans with a hand in a cast, but this needs to be settled for the light heavyweight title when it’s for grabs next. Nothing else will do.
Mark Hunt vs. Shane Carwin – Mark Hunt has about as much cardio as five minutes will provide. Shane Carwin is pretty much in the same boat. Carwin is coming off two losses, Hunt has two wins. While it may not last longer than a minute, this might be one of the more fun minutes in UFC heavyweight history between two guys who throw fast, hard and with bad intentions but somehow can’t continue after a round.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin – Rampage has always wanted this fight to revenge his loss for the UFC light heavyweight title. Shogun Rua, who would be the next best candidate, is scheduled for Dan Henderson. Muhammad Lawal is still in Strikeforce, of course, but this could be another matchup considering they’ve had a war of words over the past couple years. But until then, Griffin makes the most sense right now. Both are coming off losses and this would make for a nice rebound matchup for Jackson.
Josh Koscheck vs. Jake Ellenberger – Koscheck came out of his fight relatively healthy and on the rebound. Ellenberger needs a win against a top five fighter to cement his bid for a title fight against the winner of GSP/Condit. If Ellenberger can’t wait around for someone like Nick Diaz or B.J Penn, Koscheck is a nice replacement for either of those two. It also accomplishes the goal of getting Ellenberger a top flight fighter in the final touches for a potential title fight. If Ellenberger can defeat Koscheck, probably sometime this winter, he’ll have enough time to recoup to take on the winner of GSP/Condit this spring after their fight in October.
Nate Diaz vs. Evan Dunham – Dunham is on the rebound after an absolute dismantling of Shamar Bailey. Diaz just took apart Takanori Gomi. Dunham wants to prove he can be a contender again. Diaz wants to prove he’s a better lightweight than welterweight. This would be an exciting fight and the winner move one step closer to getting into line for a title shot.
