Following a somewhat lackluster UFC 182, let’s take a look at some potential match-ups for a few of the competitors of the evening… LIGHTWEIGHT EDITION Paul Felder vs Chad Laprise I think this would be an excellent, excellent match-up for Sean Shelby to potentially put together in the UFC’s lightweight division. It would be a war on the feet between two very hot undefeated up and coming 155 pounders. Felder is now 2-0 in the UFC, coming off a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus-winning knockout victory over veteran Danny Castillo, following a split decision win over Jason Saggo in his promotional debut. Laprise is also 2-0, following a unanimous decision win over Yosdenis Cedeno and a split decision over Olivier Aubin-Mercier. The winner of Felder vs Laprise would earn a fight with a ranked opponent for his next outing and put him on the fast track towards contention. I have no doubt this would be a very entertaining fight; just the thought of it gets me excited. I think this scrap would be a great fit as the opening bout for the main card of April’s UFC 186 in Montreal, where the Canadian Laprise will enjoy a hometown advantage. Again, from my fingertips to Sean Shelby’s ears, I really hope this fight gets made. Myles Jury vs Bobby Green This is another lightweight fight I think would be entertaining and would like to see on a future fight card, such as April’s UFC on FOX 15 in New Jersey. I think it would be a solid fit as either the opener to the main card or the headliner of the prelims. I would expect the majority, if not all of this bout to take place on the feet, and considering their styles, I think it’s a good chance it will be a good fight. Both fighters are coming off a loss, so I think they both serve as the perfect opponents for each other in an attempt to bounce back into the win column. Jury just suffered the first official loss of his professional mixed martial arts career, coming via unanimous decision against Donald Cerrone in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 181 on Pay Per View. Green was also recently outpointed on the judges’ scorecards, dropping a unanimous decision to Edson Barboza. Evan Dunham vs KJ Noons Just another pairing I would love to see in the UFC’s 155 pound division that would stylistically make for a phenomenal match-up. I would not get excited for just any Evan Dunham or KJ Noons match-up, but I would get very excited for an Evan Dunham vs KJ Noons match-up. I think it would be a very entertaining, ‘Fight of the Night’-worthy fight with the potential of being an instant classic. Without hope for a title shot in the future for either lightweight, I believe it’s fights like these that they practically live for. I think this potential bout would be a good fit for the preliminary card of April’s UFC on FOX 15 in New Jersey. Dunham just snapped a three fight skid and bounced back into the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Rodrigo Damm, and Noons followed a knockout of Sam Stout with a No Contest due to an eye poke against Daron Cruickshank. I would not mind seeing a Noons vs Cruickshank rematch, but I would much, much prefer this match-up, as I think it has a great chance of being truly unforgettable. Danny Castillo vs Diego Sanchez This is another potential match-up in the UFC’s lightweight division that I think is just phenomenal and brilliant matchmaking. If Sean Shelby or Joe Silva ever hit the lottery and quit their job, I hope the UFC comes calling. But really – I think this potential bout is the perfect next move for both lightweights, and it would technically be a rare “winner vs loser” contest, as Castillo is riding a two fight skid, while Sanchez last took a controversial split decision over Ross Pearson in his hometown of Albuquerque, NM. Sanchez recently pulled out of a fight against Joe Lauzon due to injury and Castillo suffered a knockout at the hands of the aforementioned undefeated Paul Felder on the preliminary card of this past Saturday night’s UFC 182, so I don’t know the time-table of when they will be available to return to action, but I assume it won’t be long before they both resume training.
