Future Fights TUF 21 Finale had some very big wins for some up and comers and veterans. They all need new fights but do you agree with our picks?
Future Fights TUF 21 Finale: Winners
Stephen Thompson vs. Matt Brown
As with our article covering UFC 189, it seems like a time to make this rematch. It has been nearly three and a half years since they first fought and both have had a different trajectory in the UFC yet maintained their spot as a top flight talent. Brown won six straight fights to a title eliminator which he lost against current champion Robbie Lawler and then lost his next fight to former champion Johny Hendricks. He rebounded with a first round submission of Tim Means this weekend. Thompson won five straight since the loss. A rematch would show who deserves to be considered a top five fighter at 170 and what over three years has changed.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Patrick Cote
Masvidal picked up a big win in a jump up in weight but he has a long road up to the top to prove he can be a contender in the Welterweight division. Cote is a veteran of the sport with an iron chin and power in his hands as well. He would be a good test for Masvidal as he continues his run at 170.
Michelle Waterson vs. Carla Esparza
Waterson made a huge splash in her debut and outside of a hiccup in the first round she completely dominated the fight. Esparza has not been seen or even really heard from since her title loss, but being billed as a former champion versus former champion, even if those belts come from different organizations, could easily put this fight as the co-main event or main event of a TUF card. It would also show how far Waterson may be able to go in the division.
Josh Samman vs. Elias Theodorou
Both are veterans of the long running TUF reality program with Theodorou being a winer of his season. Both have won three straight fights in the Octagon with both giving some great performances. They may each have the potential to crack the top 15 but with a fight against each other, they will show who wants and deserves to make that leap more.
Maximo Blanco vs. Makwan Amirkhani
This is an interesting fight since both have an international following. so it could be a good fight for an overseas venue. With a fight supposedly going to take place in Ireland later this year, it may make sense for them to fight so that international fight fans can have a fight that will split them as they watch it. Also, it makes sense for both of them interns of where their careers are at.
Future Fights TUF 21 Finale: Losers
Jake Ellenberger vs. Mike Pyle
It has been five and a half years since these two fought and their careers in the UFC have bee very similar. Both fighters had significant wins breaks, some big wins, but also had some tough losses. Most recently, they both have fallen on hard times. Pyle has gone 2-3 in his last five being finished twice while Ellenberger has gone 1-4 with his last five fights being finished in three of those losses. A match between the two shows who deserves to stay in the UFC more and who actually is not as washed up as the other.