Houston Alexander is fighting Eric Schafer at UFC Fight Night 14 in September. Tough fight for Houston.

Lyoto could fight Evans, Irvin or Hamill… as long as it isn’t Wanderlei, because I’m also hoping for a Jackson-Silva III.

I’d say my vote would be for Silva/Evans although there is a very real chance that Rashad would be able to get a takedown in 2 of the rounds and win the fight there. It could look a bit like the Arona fight. But Rashad isn’t quite as good at holding guys down as Ricardo.

As for Machida…I like the idea of Machida/Irvin. He can finish Irvin and you’d be using Irvin while he has some cred from the Alexander win. I don’t think Irvin is a lock to beat anyone in the “B” level of UFC fighters and before he loses to someone in a pointless fight I’d rather sacrifice him to someone who could use the “bump” from getting the win.

Just because Silva is successful at LHW doesn’t mean he shouldn’t consider dropping to Middleweight. It’s good for the UFC to have some firepower in that division apart from Anderson Silva, and having him clean out that division en route to a title shot could seriously build up his reputation while lowering the risk of him getting beaten by larger fighters.

One of the key differences between the UFC and the Japanese fight scene has always been cutting weight. If everyone else in LHW is going to be bigger and stronger (though not necessarily better, of course) his chances of losing are pretty high against anyone in the division. Better from his perspective to dominate MW than risk becoming a gate-keeper or second tier fighter. (Note the word risk!)

As I recall Dana stating when they signed Brock Lesnar. I think the same applies for the Axe Murderer.

[SILVA] While I think Bonnar brings enough credibility to the Octagon, I think that fight would seem like a step backwards especially after beating Jardine. A guy who previous to this fight was at least in the top 5 among UFC LHWs. Indeed, he may have put a moratorium on his move to 185 with this win but I think he is perhaps 1 or 2 fights away from a title shot, especially if Quinton prevails at UFC 86. I do think a Jackson v. Silva show in December would produce great numbers. So who should Wanderlei fight in the interim? I throw this one out and am ready for criticism: Dan Henderson. It’s obvious Dan still wants to fight at 205 and in my opinion is still a contender at 205 and 185. If not Hendo, I think Jason Lambert has been flying under the radar as of late and may be a game opponent for Silva but thinking about it, I like a Rashad Evans fight against Silva better.

[Machida] Let me ask this…were Hoger, Heath or Nakamura not opponents that Machida should’ve finished? Ironically, he ends up finishing Soko when many thought he would lose to Sokoujdou. At this point, I can understand giving Machida a ‘reward’ of sorts for delivering results from the Ortiz fight however both Dana and Joe have to do fans justice by setting Machida’s next opponent against a top 10 or top 5 LHW contender. Evan’s is a good opponent. But no matter his next opponent, I can’t expect his fight to be predicated on someone whom he can finish. While we mention guy’s like Irvin or Hamill, Machida needs to step up in a big way and make his next fight entertaining. Personally, I think Machida should fight Thiago Silva, Rashad Evans or Keith Jardine.

Fair criticism however I did correct myself in mid sentence to go with Rashad Evans. If Bonnar is going to be mentioned as a possible opponent, it’s fair to throw out The Punisher. I think either are a wash as Silva’s next possible opponent.

I’m with Greg and he got his words in faster..

Bonnar is 3 steps back, the next fight for the Axe Murderer is Dan Henderson, you have to appreciate that the UFC pays both of these guys big bucks.. they won’t give them any easy fights…

Look at Hendo, he got Rampage then Silva.

Wand got Chuck Liddell first fight.. Dana protects his own that come through the system because they are cheaper and just as popular.. he does not do that for imported talent.

If Dan loses again he is out.. and they don’t have to worry about his pay check.. if Hendo wins.. then they still have Wand and who cares.. he brings it every night..

Evans might be in line because of his TUF status but in my opinion as a LHW he is useless.. he has room to cut down to Mid Wt and if he does that then he will be a threat at that weight.

As for Lyoto I think you have a sudden death match.. for me this is going to be Lyoto vs Silva nope not Wand, Thiago.

Personally it would be a great fight and finally Lyoto would get a match but these two young lions should not be fed to each other just because they’re Brazilian.. for me behind the big crop Lid, Wand, Hen, Ram, Rua, the only true potential champs are those two.. with Sokoudjou on the sidelines.. Rua & Liddell will still meet in the fall..

I look forward to the big matches.. if Wand wins he fights on NYE against Rampage.. everyone knows Forrest has no chance.. if Hendo wins then he takes on the next best comer probably the loser of Rua/Liddell.. if Liddell wins the Rua fight then he gets another shot at Rampage unless Wand wins.. as Wand would get the first shot at redemption..

Somehow the UFC always cheats themselves out of Super matches because of their red neck mentality.. forget about the USA you cater to the world.. Dana when he signed Wand promised big fights.. besides a couple I haven’t seen them. Outside of Vegas you never see it beyond the main event..

The next card looks like complete garbage.. Pride developed their fighters more and fed them some local highlight reels.. the UFC is to concious of their bottom line.. and set budgets for every card.. which stunts their growth…

This last Vegas card was stacked and had to be the best UFC for a long long time..

The UFC has enough up and comers in most weights to make each card as exciting as the last.. and make it cost effective…but they don’t..

I missed that last bit by Greg.. I too think it will be Thiago Silva and will waste both’s potential as we know that is going to a draw..

but Greg if you can’t see how masterful Machida is then you haven’t watched any of his fights.. all his decisions but one were unanimous but one..

They were all like Ortiz.. stunned.. and decisive.. no question of the victor..

Machida has an unorthodox style.. but all the guys in front of him have studied the tapes.. and yet they all can’t solve the puzzle..

I must admit I was initially off put by his style.. but know I am just loving it..

He rarely even gets a wrinke in his shorts.. that is pure class.. and elite..

I think you can give Machida about with Rich Franklin. That would have a great background story with Machida being Anderson Silva’s training partner. I would basically switch Silva with Franklin and have Silva face Anderson. Or give Silva a more exciting opponent than Bonnar, maybe some like Houston Alexander?

You have to have each guy fight another who is in the top ten. You can’t have them go from fighting Keith Jardine and Tito Ortiz, both top ten guys, to fighting guys outside the top ten just so that you can save their luster. But, if you are going to do that, you have to make sure they fight guys that are rising themselves or have already made a name for themselves. That leads me to the following.

Wanderlei Silva versus Rashad Evans: Rashad Evans is a fringe top ten guy. He’s defeated the likes of Michael Bisping, Stephan Bonnar, Jason Lambert, Sean Salmon, Sam Hoger, and Brad Imes while he did draw with Tito Ortiz. And Evans does have a name. He’s already headlined a Pay Per View (with Bisping) and he is unbeaten in his career. The winner of this fight could make a series claim for a title shot. Simple as that.

Lyoto Machida versus Thiago Silva: If people remember, Machida’s second fight in the octagon was not supposed to be against David Heath but rather against Forrest Griffin. However, Griffin was unable to fight due to a staph infection. That has sort of sidetracked Machida’s career a little bit. A win over Griffin at this point in time would have Machida fighting Rampage right now. But that’s neither here nor there. Thiago Silva is 4-0 in the octagon and undefeated in his career. He’s finished all of his UFC fights in under two rounds and brings an exciting style. Silva is a fringe top ten guy right now with name recognition that Machida would be tested against. We’d get the battle of unbeatens much like we got with Evans and Bisping. The winner of this fight could make a great case for a title shot.

In a perfect world, the winners of each of these two fights will then fight each other at the End of the Year show to determine the undisputed Number One Contender. However, this is not a perfect world as evidenced by Keith Jardine not getting the title shot over Forrest Griffin when he clearly deserved it. Machida and Wanderlei should actually fight but I doubt the UFC does that. The UFC Light Heavyweight ranks are in such a mess that the UFC has no idea what to do now.