I agree that Liddell, Wand and Machida are the true title contenders at this point. You can slice this division up so many ways it’s insane. The potential match ups are there for fans and can be successfully marketed by the UFC.

Of course as are completely subjective rankings, here’s what I see happening in the next year.

Thoughts? Omissions?

Wild Cards: Dan Henderson and Brandon Vera (yes, I look for Brandon to drop by 2009 HW champ or not) Too bad Tito won’t be a apart of the mix.

Jackson #1 and Griffin #2 (Confirmed)

Chuck Liddell #3 vs. Shogun #6 (or Hendo)
(If Chuck says he’s one win away, chances are Dana will award him a shot at the title especially with two wins over WAND and Shogun)

Lyoto Machida #4 vs. Keith Jardine #7
(Agree with Jason, that Lyoto needs at least 1 more fight to be considered a #1 contendor. Lyoto could also face Thiago and Keith could fight Soko at #10)

Wanderlei Silva #5 vs. Rashad Evans #8
(Logical match up, Silva came away 84 unharmed and Evans should be ready to go)

Thiago Silva #9 vs. Sokoudjou #10
(Fans would not argue with this fight. Safe fight for either fighter and a good test for each)

Stephan Bonnar #11 vs. Matt Hamill #12
(Hopefully this will finally get re-scheduled. Very interesting match for both guys. Both guys present opposing styles here. Matt has flown under the radar and a healthy Bonnar has a chance to crack the top 10)

James Irvin #13 vs. Goran Rejlic #14
(Show me some consistency James! You’re perhaps one more win from cracking the top 10)

Wilson Gouveia #15 vs. Kaz. Nakamura #19
(Tough fight for Gouveia and Nakamura needs an octagon win or he’s gone)

Jason Lambert #16 vs. Luis Cane #18 (Confirmed)
(A chance for Lambert to bounce back but I think Cane takes this, prior to his UFC 79 DQ, the guy rattled off 7 straight victories…outside the octagon.)

Houston Alexander #17 vs. Eric Shaefer (unranked) (Confirmed)
(My oh my how the mighty have fallen. Houston needs to win this but should Eric the Red get this to the ground and Houston will have trouble)

Some good thoughts. I didn’t think about Vera dropping. I think if he loses to Werdum he drops. He is a small heavyweight and has said that he wants to fight at light heavyweight and have both titles. I doubt he gets the heavyweight title, but he could be a top 10 light heavyweight. Dan Henderson said in his interview with MMArated that he is wanting to stay at middleweight.
The Wanderlei v Rashad match could happen. I also wouldn’t be shocked if Wanderlei gets the next title shot. Do you remember when Liddell was seeking to avenge his losses through his career? He picked his opponent. Rampage could do that and pick Wanderlei. Greg, I believe your 11-18 are good fighters and are top 20 in the world, but they will never get the UFC title. They still have interesting fights though. Hamill may be the exception, he keeps improving and winning, and looking impressive. He will get a top tier guy next like Stephan Bonnar.
It is all subjective, but it is fun to dream. I imagine many of these match up depend on the Jackson vs. Griffin fight because if somehow Griffin wins, I think Wanderlei no doubt gets Jackson.