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UFC 189 was everything we hoped it would be. Great performances, 2 fight of the Year candidates, new in fight graphics and the crowning of a new champion. The main card will go down as arguably the best main card in UFC history with every fight delivering more than expected.After the build-up, after the event, it’s time to revel in the aftermath and play matchmaker by putting together fights everyone would want to see.
#1 Jose Aldo vs Conor McGregor
A no brainer. Before pulling out with injury Jose Aldo’s title defence against Conor McGregor was the biggest fight in UFC Featherweight history. With all the hype that surrounds it and the fact that Conor now has a belt on him, the unification bout for the title will be the biggest in UFC history.
The promotion’s co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta has already said that they are looking for a bigger venue to host the fight, with Las Vegas’ new stadium being touted as one possible arena. McGregor winning the belt was the best possible outcome for the UFC. Their biggest star has now been legitimized by overcoming a fighter many thought would beat him and his star has never been brighter.
Jose Aldo, on the other hand, must have been seething at the sight of Dana White wrapping a title around Conor and will be jumping at the chance to prove he is the greatest featherweight in MMA. Added to all this is the fact that the only fans who rival the Irish when it comes to passion and support are the Brazilians and you have a record shattering, iconic, once in a lifetime fight in the making.
#2 Tyron Woodley vs Johny Hendricks
Honestly, there are a bunch of things the UFC could do with the Welterweight division and the possibility of a third fight between Hendricks and champion Robbie Lawler is not out of the question.
However, after being involved in one of the greatest fights of all time it’s unclear how long it will take Robbie Lawler to recover. Hendricks has already said that he wants his next fight to be for the belt but who knows when that could happen. Tyron Woodley on his part has been calling for a shot at Hendricks for months now.
They’re two very highly ranked welterweights, who have a past having wrestled against each other at the college level. A matchup between them seems to be the way the UFC are leaning although Hendricks won’t be too happy about that. Dana White calling Rory Macdonald, “the second baddest dude at 170lbs” only adds fuel to the speculation that Woodley vs Hendricks is in the works.
Given that we may not see Robbie Lawler till the New Year, Hendricks may have to take Woodley up on his challenge and prove he deserves his championship rematch.
#3 Chad Mendes vs Frankie Edgar
After Conor McGregor won the interim featherweight title, Frankie Edgar made his way cage side to congratulate him and to tell Conor that he was next in line for a shot at the gold. However, Edgar will have to wait his turn with Aldo vs McGregor all but confirmed.
Even if Aldo’s injury keeps him out for longer than expected, there is no way the UFC is letting anything happen to their big cash fight. A strong case can be made that Edgar deserved to take Mendes’ place on the UFC 189 card. A strong case can also be made that Edgar is a better wrestler and therefore, a bigger threat to Conor than Mendes was. Edgar could sit it out and wait for the winner of Aldo and McGregor, but it’s not in the UFC’s nature to let him do that.
Especially, considering how big a fight with Chad Mendes could be. Mendes has only ever lost in title fights and Edgar is on a mission to become only the third multi-division champion in UFC history.
Added to all of this is the fact that Edgar just beat Mendes’ training partner and longtime friend Urijah Faber and you have a very intriguing fight in the making. Two of the best wrestlers, competing for a shot at the title, it’s an easy sell and a fight nobody will want to miss.
#4 Matt Brown vs Carlos Condit
Matt Brown was demoted to the prelims at UFC 189 after losing two fights in a row (granted they were against Lawler and Hendricks, the current and former welterweight champions). He, however, bounced back and won his fight against Tim Means via first round submission.
Carlos Condit recently made a winning return to the octagon against Thiago Alves after more than a year away following a knee injury in a fight against Tyron Woodley. Both these fighters are keen to get back into the title picture. After Aldo-McGregor, this seems to be the most obvious of all the pre-mentioned fights to make. Two fan favourites, two guys who always go in looking for a fight, and a fight that opens up a whole host of possibilities for the UFC.
The winner could potentially face Rory Macdonald when he is ready to make his return and the loser could get the loser of Hendricks and Woodley should that matchup take place. After the war that was Robbie Lawler vs Rory Macdonald, the UFC would love to put these two guys together given that they can put on a fight of similar excitement.
