Matching Up The Light Heavyweight Divison

by jason4jc on May 30, 2008 12:00 PM EDT

To me the most interesting match ups come at the light heavyweight divison. There are really 10 to 12 serious contenders in this divison. I will attempt to make match ups which I feel could happen. These match ups are based on fighters popularity, desire of the fans to see the particular fight, the logic of the fight, the potential story line behind the fight, and the potential fight after. Obviously the goal with the light heavyweight divison is to clear up the mess and make a clear top 5 with a clear number 1 contender. The way I see it there are 12 guys in the hunt for the belt: Quinton Jackson, Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Lyoto Machida, Thiago Silva, Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Matt Hamill, and possibly newcomer Goran Reljic. Here is how I would match these guys up (assuming Jackson beats Griffin)…

Thiago Silva vs. Rashad Evans

Keith Jardine vs. Forrest Griffin

Matt Hamill vs. Stephan Bonnar

Wanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell

Quinton Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida

Goran Reljic vs. James Irvin

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Shogun

The winners of these fights move up the rankings and the losers slide
The winner of the Wanderlei vs. Chuck II match would get the title shot and be the clear # 1 contender
I gave Machida the title shot although Jackson may want and very well get his re-match with Wanderlei Silva next.
Most likely of these fights to happen: Forrest Griffin vs. Keith Jardine and Sokoudjou vs. Shogun
I expect at some point we will see Wanderlei vs. Chuck II, and you cannot keep Machida from a title shot for long. He may need one more win though.
I believe right now there are three guys that could see the title shot next and it will depend on the Jackson Griffin fight, they are Machida, Wanderlei, and Chuck Liddell. Chuck won’t get Jackson next.
Closely behind them though are contenders Thiago Silva and Shogun.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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The future looks good in the LHW Division.

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)

by Gregory Kim on May 30, 2008 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

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.

by jason4jc on May 30, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions