UFC on FOX 16 came and went, producing an evening of memorable mixed martial arts action. The event is now in our rear-view, so let’s take a look at a few potential match-ups featuring some of the competitors from the evening… Ben Saunders vs Matt Brown Oh man! Talk about fireworks!! I think Saunders vs Brown would make for an incredible pairing in the UFC’s 170-pound division. Brown returned to the win column with a first round submission of Tim Means at UFC 189 earlier this month, and “Killa B” made it three in a row inside the Octagon with a split decision victor over Kenny Robertson at this past Saturday nigt’s UFC on FOX 16 in Chicago. I think this is a match-up that makes a world of sense and the mere thought of it gets me excited, so from my fingertips to Joe Silva’se ears, I hope this gets booked for a future fight card. I think it would make for a perfect fit on the main card for December’s UFC 194 in Calgary, which will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between challenger Carlos Condit and defending champion Robbie Lawler. Edson Barboza vs Anthony Pettis This would be a match-up between arguably two of the most entertaining strikers in in the lightweight division in all of mixed martial arts, let alone the UFC. This is a fight that has “Fight of the Night bonus” written all over it and is one scrap no fight fan would skip. It should be booked as soon as both fighters are healed up from bruises and injuries and are ready to go. Tom Lawlor vs Fabio Maldonado This would be a rare “winner vs loser” match-up, as Lawlor is currently on a two-fight winning streak and Maldonado is coming off a loss. I think this is a pairing that makes plenty of sense and is one I would like to see. Both light heavyweights are on the smaller side for the weight class and they both leave it all inside the Octagon every time they enter it. Stylistically, I think this could prove to be an entertaining scrap, and I’d like to see it on the preliminary card for the aforementioned UFC 192 in Houston. Joe Lauzon vs Gilbert Burns “J-Lau” returned to the win column with a first round TKO of fellow veteran Takanori Gomi this past Saturday night and will now be looking to string two together. Enter: Gilbert Burns, an undefeated prospect at 155-pounds who is currently on a three fight winning streak inside the Octagon. Lauzon will likely be the toughest test of the Brazilian’s professional mixed martial arts career, and he would also be a tough out for Lauzon. I think this would be a very entertaining fight, especially when it hits the mat, as both fighters are known to be talented submission artists. A chess-match on the mat between these lightweights is one I would sign up for any day. I think Lauzon and Burns would put on a show that would likely result in another ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus for the TUF 5 veteran. I think this potential bout would make for a solid fit to get things going for the main card of October’s UFC 192, which will be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between challenger Alexander Gustafsson and defending champion Daniel Cormier.
