Fight Forecast: Matches to make after UFC Vancouver
After UFC on FOX 21, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis picks which matchups should be made for the evening's headliners and other standouts.
Demian Maia vs. winner of Tyron Woodley's 1st title defense
After submitting a perennial contender and solid grappler in Carlos Condit in under two minutes, it's time Demian Maia got that title shot.
Division champ Tyron Woodley is expected to make his first title defense against Stephen Thompson, who's won seven straight. Riding a six-fight win streak of his own, Maia said after his bout he was willing to wait for the matchup to be settled before getting his due.
Assuming Thompson is the next challenger, Maia would make an enticing style clash with whoever comes out on top. Neither Woodley's rock-solid hands and wrestling, nor Thompson's lethal kickboxing have been paired with a grappler like Maia, who's absorbed just 13 significant strikes in his past four fights.
Carlos Condit vs. Neil Magny
Following his disheartening loss to Maia, "The Natural Born Killer" said he was leaning toward calling it a career.
If Condit instead attempts to shake off the baggage that comes with five losses in seven fights, Neil Magny is the ideal fight to start. Magny, whose lanky build is not dissimilar to Condit's, is coming off a knockout loss to Lorenz Larkin. Magny tends to rely on his range, which matches up well with a striker of Condit's caliber. Best of all, he tends to get stronger as the fight progresses, which will surely produce the late-round fireworks that have become synonymous with Condit's recent bouts.
Condit gets exactly what he needs in Magny: a tough but beatable contender who'll surely make him reconsider his tentative designs to retire.
Anthony Pettis vs. Cub Swanson
In his featherweight debut, Anthony Pettis submitted a very game Charles Oliveira in a Fight of the Year candidate.
"Showtime" was reluctant to call out anyone in particular after the win, but Joe Silva should be salivating at the prospect of pitting him against Cub Swanson. Pettis' lethal kicking techniques opposite Swanson's unorthodox striking angles and knockout power has all the makings of a barn-burner.
A fight against Swanson not only puts Pettis among the featherweight elite, but will also prove if the win over Oliveira was a legitimate reinvention or a mere flash in the pan.
Paige VanZant vs. Cortney Casey
After stunning Bec Rawlings with a flying head-kick knockout, VanZant should take on a fighter coming off her own impressive finish.
After facing a grappler and a boxer in her last two fights, "12 Gauge" gets a well-rounded foe who can fight her way through adversity in Casey. "Cast Iron" submitted Randa Markos in the first round at UFC 202 last week, her second straight win by stoppage. Having recently fielded some scrutiny over her commitment to the sport, Casey is just the test for VanZant to retain her focus.