The ‘Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3’ finale came to us last weekend with a main event that saw Heavyweight Stipe Miocic smash outclassed, blown up Light Heavyweight Fabio Maldonado in less than a minute. For Miocic, the match was a major letdown and did nothing for his career. His original opponent was the former Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos before Dos Santos was pulled due to a thumb injury. In comes Maldonado, a low skilled, blown up light heavyweight, and the outcome was merciful.
First of all, kudos to Maldonado for accepting the fight. He has balls, and he may also have a recognition or instinct to grab as many paychecks as possible, as he deserves for assisting the UFC and fighting under adverse conditions on numerous occasions. But just because he accepts the fight doesn’t mean it is good or smart matchmaking, as Maldonado had no business being in the octagon with Miocic.
Hopefully, Dos Santos returns quickly from his thumb injury and Miocic gets to fight him. For Dos Santos, he must return quickly if he is medically cleared, as he has not fought since last October and is at risk of fading from the public memory.
If not Dos Santos, Miocic could face Josh Barnett or Travis Browne. Both men are coming off losses, however neither is booked right now and both sit ahead of Miocic in the current UFC rankings.
Miocic needs a quality win. He is currently on a 3 fight winning streak, but aside from a UD over rugged Roy nelson, he has taken out Maldonado and the incredibly up and down Gabriel Gonzaga. Miocic’s resume cries out for a big name as an opponent, and coming off a 30 second outing, there is no reason that we should not see Miocic at least two more times in 2014.
Barnett and likely Browne as well will be favored in a fight with Miocic. Miocic has long been considered to have a lot of potential, but he has slowed his career trajectory since taking a loss to Stefan Struve. Struve too, could be a potential future opponent for Miocic, as the ‘Skyscrper’ has not fought in over a year, and is returning on the July 5th card.
