Post-UFC Fight Night 89 Matchmaking Predictions

ufc-160UFC Fight Night 89 produced an entertaining night of action, with more than half of the match-ups ending inside the distance. Now with the fun night of scraps in our rear view, let’s take a look at a few potential match-ups featuring some of the competitors from the evening… Donald Cerrone vs Tarec Saffiedine Cerrone scored a third round TKO of the always tough Patrick Cote in the co-main of the evening this past weekend and is now 2-0 in the UFC’s welterweight division. For his next outing inside the Octagon, I would like to see him take on TriStar Gym’s Tarec Saffiedine, who is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Rick Story just a few weeks ago. This would be a rare “winner vs loser” bout in the UFC’s 170-pound division and I think it is one that makes sense for both fighters. I think this potential welterweight contest would be a solid fit as the co-main event for August’s UFC on FOX 21 in Vancouver. Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs Paul Felder Aubin-Mercier bounced back into the win column with a third round rear naked choke submission victory over Jackson-Wink fighter Thibault Gouti and will be looking to string two together his next time out. I think an opponent that makes sense for his next bout is Felder, who is coming off back to back wins over Daron Cruickshank and Joshua Burkman, respectively. I think Aubin-Mercier vs Felder is an intriguing match-up between two big 155-pounders, and a classic “striker vs grappler” match-up. This is another fight I think would be a good fit for August’s UFC on FOX 21 in Vancoucer, likely headlining the evening’s preliminary card on FOX Sports 1. Elias Theodorou vs Krzysztof Jotko Theodorou and Jotko were each successful in their bouts on the preliminary card for UFC Fight Night 89 in Ottawa, with Theodorou taking a unanimous decision over Sam Alvey and Jotko scoring a first round knockout of Tamdan McCrory. Theodorou’s win was lackluster but he got the job done and returned to the win column following the first loss of his professional mixed martial arts career, and Jotko’s was a highlight-reel finish that marked the best performance of his career. I think it makes sense to pit these Theodorou and Jotko against each other inside the Octagon, and this would be another bout that I think would make for a great fit on the preliminary card for the aforementioned UFC on FOX 21 in Vancouver this August, wher Theodorou will be enjoying a home advantage. Jason Saggo vs Abel Trujillo Saggo took a split decision over Leandro Silva in the featured bout of this past Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 89 prelims on FOX Sports 1 and now enjoys a two-fight winning streak inside the Octagon. For his next outing, I would like to see him take on Abel Trujillo, who is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Jordan Rinaldy and currently rides a two-fight winning streak of his own. I think Saggo vs Trujillo is a potential 155-pound that makes sense and would determine which lightweight should draw ranked opposition for their next time out. This is a match-up I think would be a solid fit for either the main or televised preliminary card for the aforementioned UFC on FOX 21 in Vancouer this August, where Saggo would have the home advantage.

Written by Gabe Killian

Leave a Reply

MMA Odds and Ends for Wednesday: NSAC approves early weigh-ins for International Fight Week events

Frank Trigg talks to Legacy FC 56’s Jason Sampson