UFC: 9 Fights That Should Be Made in 2011

There have been some excellent match ups made by the UFC in the first half on 2011, which have resulted in some amazing contests. Fighters have put there names up for tile contention, whilst others have slipped back to the pack.

After each event, the obvious question to ask is this: whats next for the winners and losers? Who deserves a title shot? Who gets a step up in competition and who needs to win their next fight to keep their job?  

The following list consists of potential match ups for the UFC to make based on results so far this year. Enjoy the read and feel free to comment! 

Frank Mir vs. Schaub/Nogueira Winner

The UFC 134 match between Brendan Schuab and MMA legend “Minotauro” Nogueira will allow one of these heavyweights to put their names into title contention, and a possible title eliminator later this year.

Coming off two impressive wins, perennial contender Frank Mir is the logical opponent. With Brock Lesnar sidelined indefinitely and Cain Velasquez set to defend his title against Junior Dos Santos in November, the only top level opponents available to the winner are Mir and Shane Carwin. With Carwin coming off two losses, it is likely that he will get a lesser opponent, so Mir is the most likely choice.

Mir was originally scheduled to rematch with “Big Nog” at UFC 119, but the Brazilian was forced to withdraw through injury. The strong all round game of Mir will be a stiff test for either fighter and it can be assured that this fight would produce a worthy contender to the heavyweight belt.  

Ryan Bader vs. Matt Hamill

Ryan Bader was seen as a promising up and comer in the star studded light heavyweight division, but consecutive losses to Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz have set him back and he may well be fighting for his job in his next outing. Despite this, he is still a top 10 light heavyweight who would be favoured against all but the elite of his weight class.

 Matt Hamill is coming off a decision loss to current title challenger “Rampage” Jackson, which ended his impressive five fight win streak. This fight between two quality wrestlers would provide “The Hammer” with an opportunity to bounce back from his recent defeat, whilst Bader would have the chance to secure his UFC future and get back to moving up the rankings.

Vitor Belfort vs. Brian Stann

Since making his middleweight debut in 2010, Brian Stann has finished all 3 of his opponents in impressive fashion to put his name up as a potential title contender. The former Marine has some brutal knockout power, which makes a match up with "The Phenom" intriguing.

Despite being on the wrong end of a devastating KO loss to Anderson Silva, Belfort remain a major player in the middleweight division. A match up with the highly rated Stann will give an indication on where each stands in the title picture.  

 Belfort’s striking power was recently considered good enough to give Anderson Silva a run for his money and although that didn’t pan out, he still poses a threat to anyone in the middleweight division. This fight would determine where both fighters careers are heading, as well as being a fan pleasing stand up war. 

Carlos Condit vs. Josh Koscheck

Carlos Condit is a rising star in the welterweight division, with many fans calling for him to get a shot at the winner of the October title fight between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz. However, Condit needs another win over a top level fighter before he can be considered ready for a shot at the title.

With Josh Koscheck scheduled to return from surgery in the not too distant future, this matchup makes sense timing-wise. Condit, who has finished the fight in 26 of his 27 career victories, should provide a stern test for the former contender.

Anthony Pettis vs. Dennis Siver

After being released from his first UFC contract German kick boxer Dennis Siver has compiled a 7-1 record in his second shot at the big time, recording impressive wins over George Sotiropoulos, Spencer Fisher and Andre Winner in the process. He needs a step up in competition and former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis fits the bill nicely.

“Showtime” chose to risk his guaranteed title shot by staying active against Clay Guida, a move which backfired when suffered a unanimous decision defeat. Despite this, Pettis remains one of the top lightweights in the UFC and a fight with Siver would be closely contested and help to sort out the congested lightweight division.

Diego Nunes vs. Dustin Poirier

Diego Nunes may have lost his featherweight title eliminator with Kenny Florian, but he won many new fans with his gutsy performance. Still near the top of the featherweight tree, a fight with fellow top liner Dustin Poirier would be a quality match up.

 The 22 year old Poirier has won his first two fights in the UFC and is ranked among the top of the division. With seemingly few worthy challengers to Jose Aldo’s 145 pound crown the winner could find themselves fighting for a shot at the belt after victory here. 

Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles

Urijah Faber is arguably the most talented and decorated fighter to compete in the featherweight and bantamweight divisions of the sport, whilst Brian Bowles is a former WEC champion who has only ever lost to current titleholder Dominick Cruz.

Given the class of both of these fighters they have to fight eventually, so why not make it happen as soon as possible?  Fights between high quality fighters are exactly what the UFC need to promote their newest divisions and this fight would not only do that, but possibly decide the next title challenger.

Tito Ortiz vs. Franklin/Nogueira Winner

At UFC 132, Tito Ortiz did what few believed him capable of and defeated Ryan Bader, saving his UFC contract in the process. Whilst the man himself may think that this means he is in position for a rubber match with Forrest Griffin and another title run, his recent record simply does not warrant that. Given that he is a recognizable and marketable fighter, he will get a name opponent of some quality.

 Rich Franklin and “Little Nog” are due to face off at UFC 133 with both men’s fading title chances on the line. Having the winner of this fight challenge Ortiz next is the logical move because these fighters are all in the same stage of their careers and the winner of Franklin/Nogueira will be coming off a win, same as Ortiz.

Fights featuring old fan favourites are always received well, so it is likely that the UFC will look to make this fight happen.  

Mevin Guillard vs. Clay Guida

Whilst the impressive knockout wins Guillard has secured of late have led to calls for him to be fast tracked to a title shot, he has not yet beaten enough high-level fighters to deserve it just yet.

Clay Guida is on a four-fight win streak, with his most recent win being over then No. 1 contender Anthony Pettis at the TUF 13 finale. With the Edgar vs. Maynard rematch currently in limbo, the winner of this fight could then be matched up with Jim Miller, assuming he wins his next outing.

Depending on the injury prognosis of both Edgar and Maynard, the Guillard vs. Guida winner could well find themselves fighting for an interim title belt. Both Guillard and Guida are exciting fighters and this fight would most likely be a highly entertaining Fight of the Night contender.