Saturday’s UFC 163 pay-per-view was an entertaining event, but the potential fights that could result from the action should have MMA fans all over the world excited.
All of the following matchups would be marquee bouts the UFC could build PPVs around, and these dream fights must come to fruition.
Jose Aldo vs. Benson Henderson
Before it was Chan-Sung Jung whom Jose Aldo was scheduled to fight at UFC 163, it was former WEC star Anthony Pettis originally slated for the title shot. Aldo accepted that fight with the caveat that he would challenge for the lightweight title if he was victorious, per Franklin McNeil of ESPN.com.
After taking the Korean Zombie down with a fourth-round TKO, Aldo has earned the right to fight Benson Henderson for the lightweight championship in what would be one of the most anticipated UFC fights in years.
Champion vs. champion is always a big deal.
Aldo has 16 straight victories in MMA and seven straight title defenses dating back to his time as WEC champion, but he will face the ultimate test in Henderson if this fight comes to fruition. Bendo has the speed and power to match the Brazilian and push him to his limit.
The current lightweight champion still has to fight Pettis at UFC 164 before ever entertaining the thought of a superfight with Aldo, but the stage has been set for the featherweight champion to make the weight-class jump and fight whoever is holding the belt next.
Phil Davis vs. Lyoto Machida II
When the referee raised Phil Davis’ hand and the post-fight announcement revealed that the American had beaten Lyota Machida via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), the backlash from hardcore and casual fight fans alike made this an extremely controversial ruling.
Dana White and the matchmakers see the frenzy that was stirred up because of this bout, and with the emotion fresh on everyone’s mind, the UFC should book an immediate rematch with the stipulation of it being a title eliminator.
Davis would have to win another fight before earning a shot at Jon Jones and his light heavyweight title anyway, and what better way to prove his worth than by beating Machida in a more convincing manner?
If the Brazilian were to win, though, it would help prove the ineffectiveness of the judges at UFC 163 and would give Machida the title shot he deserved.
Ian McCall vs. John Dodson
While beating a journeyman like Iliarde Santos on the FX preliminary card isn’t a career-changing win for most fighters, this was the kind of bout that could get veteran Ian “Uncle Creepy” McCall back into the conversation as a title contender.
Not only is McCall looking to get back on the right track, but with John Dodson also looking for redemption after a loss to featherweight champion Demetrious Johnson, there is no doubt that the two men would be a great match for each other.
Ian McCall vs. John Dodson has all the earmarks of an amazing matchup.
Both fighters have elite speed and knockout ability, and with the added incentive of getting one fight closer to another shot at the title, these men would leave everything they had in the Octagon.
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