Five Options for FOX

With Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos cemented as the primary showpiece this November when the UFC makes its long-awaited debut on network television via FOX, and a bout in place featuring fantastic featherweights in the form of Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza, it’s now time for the public to amp up speculation on what other collection of clashes will comprise the remainder of the historic card.

I’m going to hand out five options in no particular order based on a scientific formula involving availability, relevance, and a lot of dependence on my grandmother’s psychic abilities (which is to say guesswork at its best).

Besides that it’s all in the reflexes…

5. Bart Palaszewski vs. Tyson Griffin

Perhaps not the sexiest bout on paper right out of the gate but keep in mind FOX is looking to fill preliminary spots, not ones guaranteed to make the airwaves. This bout is buried in the super-stacked lineup at UFC 137, only two weeks before UFC on FOX, and features two guys known for going all-out in fights. Palaszewski is making his featherweight debut after a solid run at 155 while Griffin’s success at lightweight was followed up by a decision win in his 145-pound unveiling over former title-contender Manny Gamburyan. It’s also a match-up with a lot of potential to entertain and like Poirier vs. Garza, if broadcast, could ultimately show the casual viewers at home that MMA’s smaller guys can be just as exciting as the heavyweight headliners.

4. Rory MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch

It’s time to throw MacDonald in deeper waters after his showings thus far in the UFC. The Canadian kid absolutely dismantled Nate Diaz and Mike Pyle, tough draws to be sure, and was on the cusp of beating Carlos Condit before a mental lapse in the final moments of their fight resulted in a TKO loss. Fitch is supposed to be healthy enough to be itching to fight again sooner than later. Why not make this fight happen now to see if MacDonald is as phenomenal as he appears to be and/or maintain Fitch’s status as a top contender? Plus, if it’s a snoozer thanks to Fitch’s grinding, methodical attack on the ground they don’t have to show it to the TV audience.

3. Erick Silva vs. Amir Sadollah

Silva made a name for himself at UFC Rio with a quick knockout to back up the buzz surrounding him entering the event, so he should be healthy and put in the Octagon again as soon as possible. Sadollah has been in the spotlight for longer based on having won TUF 7 with no professional fights to his credit but is also a relative newcomer to MMA. A mid-November date should be enough time for Sadollah to heal up from his loss to Duane Ludwig at UFC Live 5. Both like to strike, so it would likely be an aesthetically pleasing bout, plus it would give both an opportunity to continue growing as competitors rather than facing veterans with 2-3X their experience. Beyond that, putting a TUF winner on the card couldn’t hurt either from a marketing standpoint.

2. Jared Hamman vs. Brad Tavares

After Hamman’s comeback against C.B. Dollaway and eventual finish of the Ultimate Fighter finalist I’m ready to see more of “The Messenger” and I think Tavares would make for an apt opponent. He’s 7-1 with only a decision loss to Aaron Simpson in the way of a clean sweep in eight fights. Tavares, like Hamman, isn’t afraid to stand and bang it out but also has a respectable grappling base to work with as well. They’re in a similar position divisionally, so why not put them together in the Octagon to establish who is ready for a bigger challenge and who still needs to work more on polishing up their game.

1. Ben Henderson vs. Clay Guida

You didn’t think I could risk temptation and avoid picking this much-needed match-up, did you? While nothing official has come down the wire, so far it seems this bout has already been shot down or at least nothing’s been offered via very vocal manager Malki Kawa’s own admission. However, there’s still time and until the fight is booked elsewhere I’m holding out hope. Bendo vs. “The Carpenter” would be highly entertaining, serve to determine a top contender to the winner of Frank Edgar vs. Gray Maynard, and even be squeezed into the broadcast with a creative approach to solving the show’s time constraints.

First, it’s unlikely Velasquez vs. Dos Santos is going five full rounds and even if it does that’s only 30-35 minutes of airtime. Throw in commercials and you’re looking at an overrun only *IF* Henderson/Guida also goes the distance. And, if that’s the case and the fight is as fantastic as it should be, why not let the broadcast bleed over into the next hour? Every broadcaster out there does it with football/baseball/basketball/etc.. Would it really be so bad for a fan tuning in to a re-run of “Fringe” to stumble upon ten quality minutes of a UFC fight featuring two of the light division’s top guys?