Matchmaking the UFC Featherweight Division

[ChinaMMABlog]

it's nice to have a couple weeks to let the Ortega vs. Edgar fight digest, but now that we know we're getting Max vs. T-City, what about these potential matchups at 145 ...

Jose Aldo (#2) vs. Cub Swanson (#4): Both guys are decorated veterans, coming off big losses on the back side of their careers and there's a rematch to promote there after Aldo's eight second KO of Cub in WEC. That's easily good for a PPV third fight or FOX/FS1 headliner

Frankie Edgar (#3) vs. Ricardo Lamas (#7): Frankie and Lamas have basically fought everyone else at the top of the division and it's a perfect time for this fight between veterans. Both guys just got KO'd by newer, younger talent, so there's some good timing to this fight and likely both guys would accept.

Jeremy Stephens (#5) vs. Mirsad Bektic (#12): Maybe Stephens spoils this matchmaking by holding out in case either Max or Ortega get injured, but Stephens vs. Bektic is a wicked hard-hitting matchup that makes sense right now. Both these guys are wrestle boxers who come forward and change levels, so this fight would have tons of action. Good for a PPV FS1 Main Event Prelim or like a main card spot on a FOX card.

Josh Emmett (#6) vs. Yair Rodriguez (#10): Two younger guys coming off of losses. Stylistically it's fun to imagine: Yair's long, rangy kicks vs. Emmett's pressure boxing game.

Chan Sung Jung (#8) vs. Darren Elkins (#9): Unfortunately there's no word on when the Zombie is coming back, and after six-straight wins, Elkins really deserves better, but every fight in the top 10 is dangerous, and if there's any way for this fight to be made it's a great fight for the division.

Renato Moicano (#11) vs. Calvin Kattar (#13): Booked for UFC 223

 

[Deleted member 436105]

Good fights. Where do you place Choi at? Unless you think he should take an extended break

 

[Megatronlee]

Aldo vs Jeremy Stephens

 

[Goodyroom]

they just need to match make her better. build contender. then think about the mens div

 

[Bluntforce420]

Josh emmett is 33, iwouldnt call him a younger guy

 

[WarDronx]

Seems fine, unless Stephens wants an elite competition fight with Aldo, which will add to his claim for the next title shot if he wins. Dangerous fight but could elevate him a lot. I personally think he should ask/take this fight if he wants to move up. Even in the event of a loss, he solidifies himself as a fighter in the upper echelon.

 

[executionermma]

I would go with both Stephens and Elkins fighting people ahead of them, they're on win streaks and should be given the chance of conquering a higher spot in the rankings. Yair Rodriguez should fight someone easier, he's been out for too long and has a lot to improve.

Aldo VS Stephens
Edgar VS Lamas
Swanson VS Elkins
Emmett VS Korean Zombie
Rodriguez VS Jury
Bektic VS Volkanovski
Choi VS Skelly
Johnson VS Benitez

 

[007]

Aldo vs Stephens
Edgar vs Emmett
Bektic vs Rodriquez
Elkins vs Swanson
Lamas vs Zombie

 

[TriangleMonkey]

I like the matches, all except for Stephens

He’d be fun vs Aldo

Think it would be too soon but he looks better now than the first times he fought Edgar or Cub. Its possible he does a lot better rematching those guys.

So Cub/Aldo or Jeremy/Aldo

Maybe Bektic/Emmett or Yair

Zombie needs some activity

 

[JfPuffNStuff]

Aldo vs Jeremy Stephens

This! I want no other matchup for Lil Heathen. I think Lil Heathen will take him out. I want it to main event a Fox or FS1 card so we can get five rounds.

 

[Fatback96]

Edgar should drop to 135 if it's not too much trouble at his age.
Lots of fun matchups for him down there.

 

[ChinaMMABlog]

Aldo vs Jeremy Stephens

sounds like Aldo agrees with you: https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/3/8/17098474/jose-aldo-interested-ufc-224-fight-jeremy-stephens

 

[ChinaMMABlog]

Seems fine, unless Stephens wants an elite competition fight with Aldo, which will add to his claim for the next title shot if he wins. Dangerous fight but could elevate him a lot. I personally think he should ask/take this fight if he wants to move up. Even in the event of a loss, he solidifies himself as a fighter in the upper echelon.

sounds like Aldo agrees: https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/3/8/17098474/jose-aldo-interested-ufc-224-fight-jeremy-stephens

 

[ChinaMMABlog]

I would go with both Stephens and Elkins fighting people ahead of them, they're on win streaks and should be given the chance of conquering a higher spot in the rankings. Yair Rodriguez should fight someone easier, he's been out for too long and has a lot to improve.

Aldo VS Stephens
Edgar VS Lamas
Swanson VS Elkins
Emmett VS Korean Zombie
Rodriguez VS Jury
Bektic VS Volkanovski
Choi VS Skelly
Johnson VS Benitez

Aldo agrees: https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/3/8/17098474/jose-aldo-interested-ufc-224-fight-jeremy-stephens

 

[Joseph_McBride]

Josh emmett is 33, iwouldnt call him a younger guy

He just needs more experience. This kid has huge potential

 

[ChinaMMABlog]

This! I want no other matchup for Lil Heathen. I think Lil Heathen will take him out. I want it to main event a Fox or FS1 card so we can get five rounds.

looks like it's gonna happen: https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/3/8/17098474/jose-aldo-interested-ufc-224-fight-jeremy-stephens

 

[Joseph_McBride]

Stephens vs Aldo or Zombie next. Bektic is a big stepback. Even tho Bektic could win that fight he isn't close to a top 5 guy after 1 win in a row

 

[agibmxmma]

it's nice to have a couple weeks to let the Ortega vs. Edgar fight digest, but now that we know we're getting Max vs. T-City, what about these potential matchups at 145 ...

Jose Aldo (#2) vs. Cub Swanson (#4): Both guys are decorated veterans, coming off big losses on the back side of their careers and there's a rematch to promote there after Aldo's eight second KO of Cub in WEC. That's easily good for a PPV third fight or FOX/FS1 headliner

Frankie Edgar (#3) vs. Ricardo Lamas (#7): Frankie and Lamas have basically fought everyone else at the top of the division and it's a perfect time for this fight between veterans. Both guys just got KO'd by newer, younger talent, so there's some good timing to this fight and likely both guys would accept.

Jeremy Stephens (#5) vs. Mirsad Bektic (#12): Maybe Stephens spoils this matchmaking by holding out in case either Max or Ortega get injured, but Stephens vs. Bektic is a wicked hard-hitting matchup that makes sense right now. Both these guys are wrestle boxers who come forward and change levels, so this fight would have tons of action. Good for a PPV FS1 Main Event Prelim or like a main card spot on a FOX card.

Josh Emmett (#6) vs. Yair Rodriguez (#10): Two younger guys coming off of losses. Stylistically it's fun to imagine: Yair's long, rangy kicks vs. Emmett's pressure boxing game.

Chan Sung Jung (#8) vs. Darren Elkins (#9): Unfortunately there's no word on when the Zombie is coming back, and after six-straight wins, Elkins really deserves better, but every fight in the top 10 is dangerous, and if there's any way for this fight to be made it's a great fight for the division.

Renato Moicano (#11) vs. Calvin Kattar (#13): Booked for UFC 223

Josh and Yair prob wouldn't want to fight one another if given other options, as both are friendly and Yair has trained at TAM, and may still cross train there in the future out of fight camps.

-Aldo vs Stephens
-Edgar vs Emmett or drop to 135 vs Dodson or Lineker or Cejudo first, or superfight with DJ at 135
-Cub vs Elkins
-Bermudez vs Mendes
-Lamas vs Moicano/Kattar winner
-Yair vs Jury
-Fili vs Choi
-Bektic vs Jung
-Hall vs Knight
-Zabit/Bochniak winner vs Caceres/Lobov winner
-Glenn vs Johnson