The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was back in Mexico City, Mexico for the fourth time in promotional history last Saturday (August 5, 2017( with UFC Fight Night 114: Pettis vs. Moreno. It was an entertaining night of action that saw seven of 12 bouts end inside the distance, and with the scraps now in our rear view, let’s take a look at a few potential matchups featuring some of the competitors from the evening…
Alexa Grasso vs. Michelle Waterson
Grasso was victorious this past Saturday night with a split-decision victory over Randa Markos and finds herself back in the win column following the first official loss of her professional mixed martial arts career. For her next outing inside the Octagon, I would like to see her take on “The Karate Hottie” in what would be a rare “winner versus loser” matchup in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division. Waterson is coming off a first round rear-naked choke submission loss to Rose Namajunas and will be looking to get back in the win column her next time out, and I think this is a matchup that makes sense for her, as well as Grasso. I think this bout would be a good addition to the preliminary card for November’s UFC 217 in New York City, or on either the prelims or main card for December’s The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale.
Niko Price vs. Alex Oliveira
Price defeated Alan Jouban via first-round TKO and now enjoys a three-fight winning streak inside the Octagon, with all three victories coming by way of finish, two by T/KO and one via submission. For his next UFC outing, I would like to see the undefeated welterweight take on Alex Oliveira, who is coming off an impressive, highlight-reel knockout of Long Island’s Ryan LaFlare. Price and Oliveira are both currently red hot and coming off consecutive finish victories. Oliveira just cracked the division’s Top 15 rankings, which is where Price wants to be, so not only will it likely be highly entertaining, but this matchup makes plenty of sense. I think this potential welterweight showdown would make for an excellent co-main event to October’s UFC Fight Night in Brazil, where Oliveira would have the home advantage.
Jack Hermansson vs. Thiago Santos
Hermansson scored a first-round TKO over Arizona-based Brit Brad Scott this past weekend and now enjoys a two-fight winning streak in the UFC, with both of those victories coming by way of first round finish. In his effort to make it three straight, I would like to see him take on a ranked opponent in Santos, who is coming off a second-round TKO of Gerald Meerschaert and also enjoys a two fight winning streak, with both victories coming by way of stoppage as well. Not only does this matchup make sense, but I think it is one that would produce fireworks and almost guarantee a finish. This bout would make another fine addition to the aforementioned Fight Night card in Brazil this October.
