Fight Forecast: Matches to make after UFC Ottawa
After UFC Fight Night 89, theScore's Alexander K. Lee picks which matchups should be made for the night's biggest winners.
Stephen Thompson vs. Robbie Lawler-Tyron Woodley winner
A matchup between Stephen Thompson and welterweight titleholder Robbie Lawler made sense four months ago, after Thompson destroyed Johny Hendricks. The UFC had other plans, but if Lawler makes a successful defense against Tyron Woodley at UFC 202, then a fight between he and Thompson must be booked.
"Wonderboy" already fulfilled his part of the bargain, dispatching Rory MacDonald in convincing fashion at UFC Fight Night 89 on Saturday. He looked more like a champion than a contender, and he's a legitimate threat to capture gold, whether it's against Woodley or Lawler.
The smart money is on Lawler to retain, setting up a dream match between two of the division's most exhilarating strikers.
Donald Cerrone vs. Nick Diaz
Speaking of dream matches, how fun would it be to see Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and Nick Diaz battle each other? Fans would be salivating over the potential chaos in the Octagon.
The elder Diaz brother has been somewhat forgotten in the wake of little brother Nate becoming the "McGregor killer." It doesn't help that, due to a bevy of tough fights and Nick missing chunks of time due to a pair of drug suspensions, the former Strikeforce welterweight champion hasn't recorded a win in more than four years.
But none of that would matter if the UFC made this fight happen. After knocking out Patrick Cote, Cerrone said he doesn't care whether his next fight is at 155 or 170 pounds, he just wants to fight as soon as possible.
If he's staying at welterweight, then Diaz is the ideal dance partner.
Misha Cirkunov vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
The UFC is wise to protect its prospects, but the time is now for them to see what they have in Canadian light heavyweight Misha Cirkunov.
Cirkunov is 3-for-3 when it comes to finishing opponents in the Octagon following his submission of Ion Cutelaba at UFC Fight Night 89. Even though the quality of competition hasn't been high, he's ready for a step up in the thin 205-pound division.
Veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is fresh off a first-round knockout of Patrick Cummins at UFC 198. With 29 fights under his belt, "Minotauro" is exactly the kind of challenge that will show where Cirkunov is in his development.
Krzysztof Jotko vs. Elias Theodorou
Sometimes it just makes sense to match up two fighters in the same division who won on the same card.
Both Krzysztof Jotko and Elias Theodorou are fan favorites in their respective countries, with Jotko flying the flag of Poland and Theodorou representing Canada.
Theodorou has the look of a star, even if slow-paced bouts like the one he had against Sam Alvey on Saturday are far too common. As long as he keeps winning, the rest will figure itself out.
Excitement is less of an issue for Jotko, especially after his KO of Tamdan McCrory that won him a Performance of the Night bonus.
Jotko and Theodorou are trending in the same direction with only one loss each. While it may sound harsh, the best way to find out who is truly a contender is to throw them in the middleweight blender and see what comes out.