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The UFC on FOX 7 event took place this past Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The fights at the event went as expected for the most part, but there were a few surprises in there as well. Some fighters put themselves in a great spot to make moves within their respective weight classes, others seemingly fell towards ultimate gatekeeper status.
Let’s put on our Joe Silva UFC matchmaker hat and get to work on what’s next for some of the fighters from the UFC on FOX 7 event.
- Ben Henderson: UFC President Dana White has already stated he’ll fight the winner of the Gray Maynard vs. TJ Grant fight that will take place at UFC 160.
- Gilbert Melendez: Melendez did very well against Ben Henderson considering the injuries and long layoff. I think he should fight another top lightweight in his next fight. I’d put him in against the winner of the Jim Miller vs. Pat Healy fight that will take place Saturday at UFC 159.
- Daniel Cormier: I think Cormier should go on and move down to the UFC light heavyweight division. He’s not gonna fight his teammate Cain Velasquez, and he’s not getting any younger. Move down and fight Jon Jones for the title.
- Frank Mir: Ultimate gatekeeper….which was his role for Daniel Cormier….he didn’t get knocked out…so he keeps the role
- Josh Thomson: HUGE win for him…his stocked jumped dramatically…he’s always been a very good fighter when healthy. The winner of the Donald Cerrone/KJ Noons fight or Joe Lauzon for the show in Boston in August.
- Nate Diaz: He wants to move back to the welterweight division. He should stay as a lightweight because he’s too small. We’ll see, but he’s gatekeeper status now.
- Matt Brown: Another HUGE winner. Wow…this guy is a straight up junkyard dog! He has won five in a row(with four wins coming via TKO/KO) which earns him a top 10 welterweight. Hello Martin Kampmann.
- Chad Mendes: He was originally supposed to fight Clay Guida at UFC on FOX 7. That fight should still happen. If he wins that fight…he deserves another crack at Jose Aldo.
- Joseph Benavidez: Deserves another title shot. He’s the best flyweight in the world besides Demetrious Johnson.
- T.J. Dillashaw: Scott Jorgensen would be a great step up in competition for him..or maybe Ivan Menjivar.
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