Is it just me or does UFC matchmaker Joe Silva have the coolest job in the world? Well, aside from Playboy photographers and professional beer tasters.
How cool would it be to spend your days making fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship? Well today I’ve decided to fantasize what it would be like to be Joe Silva for a mere 24 hours. Here are 10 fights that I would sign for the year 2011.
Urijah Faber vs. Miguel Torres
As exciting as this matchup would be, they both have upcoming fights on the horizon that they need to focus on first. Faber will meet Takeya Mizugaki next week in his bantamweight debut at WEC 52 and Torres is set to battle Antonio Banuelos at UFC 126. Regardless if they are victorious in those matchups the UFC could easily market a high profile bout between the two, possibly even as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter.
Diego Sanchez vs. Matt Serra
Fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Thiago at UFC 121, it looks like Sanchez is back to full form at 170-lbs. The win earned Sanchez both the FOTN bonus and his first victory at welterweight in over two years. Now it’s time to keep the momentum flowing and pair Sanchez up with fighters who can bring out the best in him.
Former welterweight champ Serra has the name recognition and the style to do just that. At 36 years old, Serra is at a point in his career where he just wants to put on memorable fights for the fans. A fight with Sanchez would be beyond thrilling.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic II
If recent performances can tell us anything it’s that both “Minotauro” Nogueira and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic are dwindling towards the end of their illustrious careers. These two legendary heavyweights no longer have what it takes to hang with the division’s top young stars but there are still nostalgic PRIDE fans interested in seeing them fight, especially against each other.
Their first fight at PRIDE-Final Conflict 2003 was a classic so a rematch could be interesting.
Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben
Assuming Leben gets past Brian Stann at UFC 125, a bout with Silva should be signed immediately. Fans have been craving for this fight ever since Leben called Silva out in the Octagon at UFC 116, following his win over Yoshihiro Akiyama. Judging from the style of both fighters, there would not be any dull moments between the two. You’re going to see two strikers swinging for the fences until one man is left standing.