A pair of heavyweights looking to sneak in the heavyweight title picture met in Chicago, as Stipe Miocic took on Gabriel Gonzaga in the co-main event of UFC on Fox 10. It promised to be a fight that wouldn’t reach the judges.
Gonzaga looked to throw heat early on but tired quickly because of the pace in which he was throwing at. From there, he was outboxed by Miocic and unable to get a takedown.
Where does Gonzaga go from here? He lost a decision to Miocic in uninspiring fashion, where his cardio failed him massively.
Here are three fights Gonzaga can take next in an attempt to get back into the win column.
Josh Barnett
Josh Barnett is coming off a loss at UFC 168 to quickly rising star Travis Browne. Gonzaga is coming off a loss at UFC on Fox 10 to another quickly rising star, Miocic.
It’s a match made in heaven.
Both Barnett and Gonzaga are ground fighters, which could make for a fun grappling battle. Watching Barnett’s catch wrestling against Gonzaga’s BJJ would be a thing of beauty, especially when we find out whose ground game is superior.
The winner moves back into the title picture. The loser scrambles to pick up the pieces.
Roy Nelson
Roy Nelson was recently outworked by Miocic. Gonzaga was recently outworked by Miocic.
This could also be a match made in heaven.
Nelson and Gonzaga are both power punchers on the feet with good jiu-jitsu to rely on. Nelson could definitely turn out the lights on Gonzaga, but could Gonzaga knock out the concrete-chinned Nelson?
I don’t know. But, I’d like to find out.
Antonio Silva
Antonio Silva was recently busted on a failed drug test after a classic against Mark Hunt in Australia. He may be out for a bit, but when he returns, Gonzaga could be a good matchup.
Both men are Brazilian and could be a nice addition to any card in the South American country. Both men can slug it out or battle on the mat; either way, it could be entertaining.
Either way, one man needs to get back in the win column. This matchup could definitely make some sense.
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