Matches To Make After A WAVE of MMA

Usually a “Matches To Make” piece comes after a single, significant event but now we are left reeling from the impact of a wave of MMA. From June 4^th to July 2^nd there were five major MMA events and two minor. Some fights are already booked and others are mere speculation but a lot of fighters still await their next match-up.

Booked Match-Ups

Josh Barnett vs Sergei Kharitonov – Round two of the Strikeforce Grand Prix will see dark horse striker (Kharitonov) and tournament favorite wrestler (Barnett) square off. No surprises here. One guy will move on to the finals of one of the most exciting things going in MMA, the other will likely be on the under-card.

Antonio Silva vs Alistair Overeem – The winner of this will likely be a heavy favorite in the final of the Strikeforce Grand Prix. It is the Fedor Killer vs The Strikeforce HW Champ. All eyes are on Antonio Silva who could establish himself in the upper echelon of the division.

Junior Dos Santos vs Cain Velasquez – The UFC Heavyweight Championship will be defended in likely the biggest bout in the division’s history. I have been fancying this fight for over a year now and the collision course these two have been on could not be more impressive. Nothing can be said here that I haven’t said before and I won’t say again. The two best HWs in the world will finally clash.

Fights That Should Be Made

Tito Ortiz vs Franklin/Little Nog Winner – Ortiz didn’t beat the world when he beat Ryan Bader but he might as well l have. Franklin and Nog are both looking to rebound against one another. Whoever finds success will be primed for a co-headlining bout and potential career boost against a resurgent Ortiz.

Carlos Condit (pictured) vs Charlie Brenneman– Many will hope for Condit vs Koscheck or Fitch but Condit isn’t really one big win away from a title shot, he is just the unlucky victim of bad timing. He needs to fight again and to be honest it shouldn’t have to be a huge hurdle. Brenneman is coming of the biggest win of his career on Spike TV. It’s a chance for Condit to notch another win against a game opponent people will recognize and a chance for Brenneman to take another huge step up the ladder and become the upset kid.

Melvin Guillard vs Clay Guida – I was somewhat tempted to pit Guillard against the winner of Jim Miller and Benson Henderson but Clay Guida is a much more interesting match-up. Guida isn’t an easy fight for anyone and Guillard has been looking like a world-beater. More than anything this fight will test how Guillard deals with going into deep waters against a fighter that will take him out of his comfort zone.

Cheick Kongo vs Shain Carwin (pictured) – Kongo is coming off one of the most important wins of his career and Carwin is needs to stop a two-fight skid. A classic wrestler vs striker bout, this fight would test how well Carwin can control the pace of the match and how well Kongo can stay on his feet against a strong wrestler. One way or another, this one doesn’t go the distance.

Chris Leben vs Mark Munoz – Both Munoz and Leben notched big time victories over the last month. Leben has struggled to find consistency and could use a win over someone with a few good wins behind them. Munoz is looking to leave a trail of fighters in his wake. Leben will test Munoz’s stand-up and could provide the name opponent that he needs. Munoz provides Leben with a rising contender, by whom thwarting he would gain a lot of legitimacy in his own climb.