UFC on Fox 17: Matches to Make
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Tony Ferguson
I honestly do not care to see Conor at 155 until he has cleared out 145 and he has to big challenger in Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar. In the meantime, Ferguson has shown himself to be a true contender with seven straight wins and five finishes in those wins. Plus, he is 10-1 in the UFC which is the current run the champ is at. He poses a lot of problems for dos Anjos and both would be ready at the same time with Ferguson having fought a week ago.
Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
This is a rematch that makes sense. Diaz wants big fights to get back in the Octagon and Cerrone is coming of a big loss. These two fought four years ago and a lot has changed. If Diaz can best him again he will take one step closer to another title shot which he seems to desire.
Alistair Overeem vs. Mark Hunt
Overeem, if he resigns, is still in line for a title shot behind the winner of Arlovski, Miocic and Rothwell. Even though dos Santos is a big win he has some tough losses in the Octagon. Hunt seems like the perfect opponent as they have fought before, both need a fight, and is a fight fans would enjoy.
Junior dos Santos vs. Winner of Matt Mitrione vs. Travis Browne
dos Santos lost this fight even if it was a bad stoppage. He would have lost the decision even if the fight continued. He has lost a lot of what made him a force in the early days. Still, he is in the top three and has not lost a ton. Mitrione and Browne face off soon and the winner needs a big challenge to reassert themselves as a contender and dos Santos seems like the smart choice. Plus, dos Santos needs to fight more to prove he still belongs.
Charles Oliveira vs. Ricado Lamas
Oliveira and Lamas have had some tough ups and downs in the UFC. Oliveira sits at 7-3 at 145 with his losses coming to top five fighters in Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson and Max Holloway. The Holloway loss was weird intuit it was an injury and Swanson was essentially the same way. Lamas is 7-2with losses to Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo. In their combined 14 wins, they have been nearly everyone else at 145. Let these two face off, because the winner will be a clear top 5 fighter int he division.
Nate Marquardt vs.Winner of Tim Boestch vs. Ed Herman
Marquardt came through with a big win which most likely saved his career in the Octagon. The same might happen for the winner of Herman and Boestch. All three are clearly past their prime and won’t really challenge to be in the top 15 anytime soon, but they can still provide plenty of fun for fans with fights between veterans.