UFC Heavyweight Matchmaking
The UFC's heavyweight division, which was fairly stable at the top for the past couple of years, is now in a state of flux. Reigning champion Brock Lesnar got upset by Cain Velasquez. Top contender Shane Carwin had to pull out of his match at UFC 125 versus Roy Nelson due to a back injury and is now going to go under the knife. Former top contender and champion Frank Mir hasn't looked good in his past few fights. The only thing we do know currently is that Velasquez's first title defense will be against Junior dos Santos, who is 6-0 in the UFC. Here are four other fights the UFC should make in their topsy-turvy heavyweight division.
Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir III
This was the fight the UFC was hoping to have happen at UFC 116 but Carwin had other ideas, pummelling Mir at UFC 111 and getting the title shot instead. As mentioned above, Mir just hasn't looked good since losing to Brock Lesnar in the summer of 2009, so the UFC needs to get this fight set up before Mir becomes completely irrelevant. The main reason to make this fight happen is money - Lesnar-Mir II helped make UFC 100 the most-bought pay-per-view in the company's history, garnering 1.6 million buys. Plus, the animosity between the two combatants makes this the greatest feud in the sport, helped along by Mir saying he wants Lesnar to die in the Octagon. Additionally, this is a good bounce-back fight for Lesnar, as he more than likely will be able to overpower Mir once again and get himself back on the winning track and in line for another title shot.
Roy Nelson vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Most fans are pushing for a Big Country-Brock Lesnar showdown, but we've already got Lesnar locking horns with Mir. That leaves two men coming off knee surgeries, Roy Nelson and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, to go up against one another. Big Country vs Big Nog would be a main event or co-main event worthy match for the UFC, and would be a good test for each man. A win over Nogueira would be the biggest win in Nelson's career, while a victory over Nelson would prove that Nogueira isn't all washed up and has some gas left in his tank. Plus, the winner of this fight could go up against the winner of Lesnar-Mir, with a title shot hanging in the balance.
Shane Carwin vs Beth Rothwell
Ben Rothwell won't be back until next spring at the earliest as he continue to recover from ACL surgery. Timing-wise that could work out well for a Carwin-Rothwell tilt, since Carwin will be convalescing from surgery himself. Plus, the fact that both men are hard hitters and they have vastly different body types would make this a fun match to watch. The winner of it would put themselves firmly in the title race.
Matt Mitrione vs Brendan Schaub
Both newcomers are on three-fight win streaks in the UFC. Both were cast members on The Ultimate Fighter 10. Both are former NFL players. Both have big mouths and aren't above trash-talking. Do you need any more reasons to make this fight happen?
