Ultimate Fight Night 73 Matches to Make: Main Card Winners
Ray Borg(9-1-0) vs. Louis Smolka(9-1-0)
Both are 3-1 in the UFC and that means for them to take a step forward in the division, they should face off with each other. With a win, they could see themselves fighting someone in the top ten shortly.
Amanda Nunes(11-4-0) vs. Ronda Rousey(12-0-0)
Do we really need to see Tate fight Rousey for a third time? The answer is no! Nunes has won four fights and lost one, but even in that loss she nearly finished the formerly undefeated Cat Zingano. She has the skills to challenge her on the feet and might even be a just as dangerous fighter in the first round.
Jared Rosholt(13-2-0) vs. Matt Mitrione(9-4-0)
Mitrione is looking to wash away the loss to Ben Rothwell but no one seems like they want to fight him. Rosholt is 5-1 in the UFC but his skills are lacking. Still, if he can continue to win he will not have a choice but to continue to climb the Heavyweight ladder. Rosholt will need to pick up the technique in his standup if he wants to get past Mitrione though.
Derek Brunson(14-3-0) vs. Winner of Gegard Mousasi(37-5-2) vs. Roan Carneiro(20-9-0)
Brunson has only lost to Yoel Romero while putting a beating on every other fighter he has been locked in the cage with. Mousse is looking to rebuild after some tough losses while Carneiro is coming back a brand new fighter after a few years away from the UFC. Brunson has already established himself by beating other up and comers, but a win over an established vet could give him some notoriety in the division.
Beneil Dariush(12-1-0) vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov(22-0-0)
Dariush came away with a win regardless of what the majority of the crowd thinks. Nurmagomedov plans on returning to the UFC this Winter after an extensive layoff. Dariush has some unique ground skills that may give him challenges, and Nurmagomedov does not have the greatest hands which could allow Dariush some room to grow in the capacity. Plus, whoever wins is firmly planted in the hunt for a title shot.
Glover Teixeira(22-5-0) vs. Patrick Cummins(8-2-0)
Teixeira may have said that he is back in the title hunt, but one win where he was nearly finished in the first round is not the biggest and best claim. Cummins has had some big wins and tough losses so far in his career, but if Teixeira wants a shot at Daniel Cormier, then if he could finish DC’s rival it could go a far way for him climbing back up the ladder.
Ultimate Fight Night 73 Matches to Make: Main Card Losers
Sam Alvey(26-7-0) vs. CB Dollaway(15-7-0)
Dollaway is on a two fight losing streak and Alvey might’ve had an earlier stoppage. It does not seem fair that Dollaway is holding up a spot in the top 15 when it could easily go to someone else. Makes sense and could give fans a scarp they want to see.
Michael Johnson(16-9-0) vs. Bobby Green(23-6)
Both had significant win streak sliced by decision losses they felt they won. Let the two face off to restart their run at the 155 title. Could be a good fight too considering both have some stellar standup.
Ultimate Fight Night 73 Matches to Make: Undercard
Dustin Ortiz(15-4-0) vs. Zach Makovsky(19-6-0)
Both have a record of 3-2 in the Octagon and have only lost to the best in the division. It is time to have them face off, so one of these prospects can break into the top ten and maybe create a new contender at 115.
Uriah Hall(11-5-0) vs. Lyman Good(19-3-0)
Hall had flashes of the fighter everyone saw on his season of TUF. He says he is trying to mimic Ronda Rousey’s mental toughness, and if it creates more fights like the one this weekend, then maybe it is something to look at. Good had a huge knockout in his debut and could give Hall a good fight to test his new mentality.