Matches to make after UFC 139

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                                Matches to make after UFC 139

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Tom Lawlor vs. Alessio Sakara

With his loss to Chris Weidman on Saturday, Tom Lawlor has now lost three of his past four fights. Lawlor may need a win in his next fight to remain on the UFC roster, so let's set him up with another fighter in the same position.

Chris Weidman vs. Aaron Simpson

With a quick submission victory over Tom Lawlor, Chris Weidman showed that he is ready to take himself to the next level of the middleweight division. The rising star could benefit from some experience in the striking department, so a bout with a wrestler like Aaron Simpson, who has the ability to force a stand-up fight, could be next.

Martin Kampmann vs. Rory MacDonald

Had controversial decisions in his two fights prior to UFC 139 gone his way, Martin Kampmann would be riding a five-fight winning streak and looking for a shot at the welterweight belt. An impressive win over Rick Story should earn Kampmann a big fight in 2012.

A bout with the up-and-coming Rory MacDonald could put the winner within one or two fights from a title shot.

Cung Le vs. Chris Leben

After being knocked out by Wanderlei Silva, there is a good chance Cung Le will fade back into his acting career and never be seen in the Octagon again. However, if he does decide to return, a bout with Chris Leben would provide even more excitement than Le's bout with Silva did.

Wanderlei Silva vs. Demian Maia

Wanderlei Silva's career was likely on the line heading into UFC 139, but "The Axe Murderer" lived to see another day by mounting a comeback win over Cung Le. Unfortunately, it will take another big win before Silva is given a realistic chance at fighting a top contender.

Demian Maia has been floating around in a similar state of being unable to come within striking distance of another middleweight title shot. Let's match Silva up with a fighter who doesn't pack a ton of power in his punches and see what the former Pride champion can do when his suspect chin isn't being tested.

Others to consider:

Shogun vs. Quinton Jackson
Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans


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Leben vs Le would be more or less what we just saw...I like it though Phone Post

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Everyone one of those is pretty damn solid. Shogun/Rampage? Hell yeah. Kampmann/McDonald? Most definitely. Wandy/Maia. Why the heck not? If Rampage/Griffin isn't 100%, Rampage and Shogun as a 5 round main event re-match would be awesome. Phone Post

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Wanderlei and Maia will never fight each other, silly matchup.

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I believe Wanderlei trained with Maia before.. so I'm guessing it would be an awkward matchup for those two.

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Maia and Wanderlei are close friends. By the way, Maia DOES hit hard despite his weak standup ability.

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Wanderlei vs. the loser of Bisping/Mayhem makes the most sense to me, that is if the fight is in fact a #1 contenders match.

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nyhcloyalty - Wanderlei vs. the loser of Bisping/Mayhem makes the most sense to me, that is if the fight is in fact a #1 contenders match.

he already beat bisping and trains with mayhem

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Im a real boy - 
nyhcloyalty - Wanderlei vs. the loser of Bisping/Mayhem makes the most sense to me, that is if the fight is in fact a #1 contenders match.



he already beat bisping and trains with mayhem


Ah shit I forgot he trains with Mayhem, good point.



I know he already beat Bisping, but they've both been talking about a rematch.. and I think Wand would absolutely slaughter him this time ;-)

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I like Lawlor-Sakara

I like Bonnar-Franklin

I dont wanna "throw him to the wolves" but I wanna see Weidmen vs Stann maybe? Phone Post

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 Match-ups all look good. Also possibly the loser of Mayhem vs. Bisping for Cung Le?



And I don't see Rampage vs. Shogun taking place, at least not in Japan now with Shogun receiving the 180 day medical suspension

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Aaron Simpson isn't really a step up from Lawlor, considering many thought Lawlor beat Simpson. Weidman's ready for the "big boys." Let's see Weidman vs Maia or something. I'd say Bisping, but they'll keep him out of harms way.

I'd give Lawlor a nice step down in competition as a reward for taking on Weidman. Is Jorge Rivera still gonna fight?

I'd like to see Kampmann get Ebersole when he comes back from injury. It just seems like a fun FOTN matchup.





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Wand and Maia wont fight each other like many others have said. It depends on what the UFC wants to do with Wand do they wanna put him on the "senior tour" and only put hit in there with big names and use it as a draw (Crush a Japanese fighter in Japan). Or do they wanna put him on the path to a title shot? They could put him in there with Alan Belcher or Brian Stann those would be great fights. But maybe at this point having him just fight big name fighters would be better for him. Back at 205 against Tito for a rematch, or fight Rich again. I would prefer to avoid putting him in their with a guy with big KO power.

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Kampmann v. McDonald could be interesting and another tough test for the future champion (Rory that is), but I'd be just as happy to see McDonald/Condit II.

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Deaf Forever - Maia and Wanderlei are close friends. By the way, Maia DOES hit hard despite his weak standup ability.

True. I held pads for Maia not too long ago and I can sure you that he can pack a pretty mean punch these days. His boxing coach Doria has done a absolutely marvelous job

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And also Wand vs Maia doesn't make any sense. Even if they weren't friends, I don't see any point in that fight.
Wandy is 2-3 in his last five while Maia is 3-1 since his title fight with the only loss to top contender Munoz by dec. I'd rather see Maia fight guys like winner of Bisping-Miller, Belcher, Simpson.
Wandy is past his glorious prime so I'd rather see him in "Classics" fights. Wandy vs Frank Shamrock, Paolo Filho, Frank Trigg or similar.
Wandy vs Matt Hughes at 185 or catchweight would be cool as hell.

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Rory v Martin COULD be the FOTY if it get's made next year.

Those guys are beasts.

Cung v Leben would be a cracking fight imo.

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Weidman beats Stann Phone Post

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Gaspare - I dont wanna "throw him to the wolves" but I wanna see Weidmen vs Stann maybe?


Why do you hate Brian Stann?

He is a marketable fighter, and they will build him back up by avoiding wrestlers.

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Rory V Martin....Make it happen.