UFC Contenders and Pretenders at 205
by Gregory Kim on Jun 12, 2008 6:08 PM EDT
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PrintAs UFC 86 looms closer, we must once again address the state of the UFC’s light heavyweight division. As I proceed to examine what is arguably the most talent rich division (aside from the lightweights) in the UFC, I share with you my latest set of rankings and further examine the short-term outlook of future contenders and pretenders at 205. My instincts tell me Quinton Rampage Jackson may just exceed Tito Ortiz’s five consecutive title defenses at 205.
Who are your pretenders and contenders at 205?
Jackson #1 and Griffin #2 (Confirmed)
A win for Jackson gives him and fans a shot redemption: Future and possible rematches against Silva and Rua however, the next ticket may very well go to Machida, Liddell or Wanderlei. Outside of those three opponents, the lone guy that may present problems for Jackson right now is Lyoto Machida. At this point in Quinton’s prime, I don’t think Machida has enough tools to beat Jackson. It’s going to take much more than an elusive fighting strategy to beat Rampage. Quinton has the ability to run the table on the top 10 much like Anderson Silva has done in the Middleweight division.
Forrest is much deserving of this title shot and though folks felt as if Jardine should be fighting Rampage instead of Griffin…that thought-bubble immediately burst after UFC 84. If Forrest beats Quinton and that’s a big if, the list of title contenders stays the same but the possibility of obtaining the belt becomes more realistic for the rest of the ranked ‘contenders’. Final word – Quinton may hold the belt for a long time.
Can Griffin pull the upset?
Chuck Liddell #3 vs. Shogun #6 (wild cards: Hendo or Anderson Silva)
Some speculate next Thursday’s announcement may include a super fight between the Spider and the Iceman. Regardless, if Chuck says he’s one win away from a title shot, chances are Dana will award him one with a win over a notable opponent. Most fans probably don’t want to see Liddell vs. Rampage III should both fighters prevail however, at 37 years of age, Chuck matches up very well against the majority of UFC top 10 LHWs. On the flipside, Mauricio Rua is young, has amazing talent and can fill his bandwagon full of American fans with a win in the UFC, especially over Chuck. Final word – Who will Chuck fight next? Hendo? Silva? Rua?
Verdict:
Chuck Liddell = Contender
Shogun Rua = Contender
Lyoto Machida #4 vs. Keith Jardine #7
You cannot deny the fact Lyoto is now a top 5 LHW, after notching his 5th consecutive win in the UFC. Odd enough, his victory over Ortiz was somewhat of a lackluster boost, notably because Ortiz was not considered a top 10 UFC LHW. Lyoto needs at least one more fight to be considered a #1 contender alongside Chuck. On the other hand you cannot deny The Dean of Mean props for beating both Griffin and Liddell however his inconsistency has put a mark on his career in the UFC. Though still a top 10 LHW, Keith has missed the opportunities to separate him from the pack of contenders. Final word - Joe Silva, please test Lyoto against a worthy striker such as a Thiago Silva or Keith Jardine.
Verdict:
Lyoto Machida = Contender
Keith Jardine = Pretender
Wanderlei Silva #5 vs. Rashad Evans #8
Wanderlei came out UFC 84 a winner. Fans breathed a sigh of relief but critic’s state this win is just a ‘stay’ on what may ultimately be a move down to 185. Regardless, a win keeps him in the top 5 and grants him a fight against another top 10 LHW opponent. Silva came away 84 unharmed and Evans should be ready to go come UFC 88 or 89. Both guys are top 10 LHWs but may find more success in the 185 division. Evan’s last two fights have been nothing to brag out and I can’t see him ever beating anyone in the top 5 (Jackson, Griffin, Liddell, Machida or Silva). Final word – Follow Michael Bisping and make some money at 185.
Verdict:
Wanderlei Silva = Pretender
Rashad Evans = Pretender
Thiago Silva #9 vs. Sokoudjou #10
Thiago Silva still has a lot to prove to me and I want to see him fight a top 10 LHW. Sokoudjou perhaps cracked the top 10 with an impressive win over Nakamura however he, like Thiago Silva, needs more fights to prove their valor. I like both their chances of cracking the top 5 someday. Final word - Two guys with very heavy hands. Fans would not argue seeing this fight. Safe fight for either fighter and a good test for each.
Verdict:
Thiago Silva = Contender
Sokoudjou = Contender
Stephan Bonnar #11 vs. Matt Hamill #12.
Hopefully this will finally get re-scheduled. Very interesting match for both guys as each presents opposing styles. Matt has flown under the radar and a healthy Bonnar has a chance to crack the top 10. Final word - I don’t see either fighter ever being a serious title contender but may challenge the bottom half of the top 10.
Verdict:
Stephan Bonnar = Pretender
Matt Hamill = Pretender
James Irvin #13 vs. Goran Rejlic #14
Show me some consistency James! You’re perhaps one win from also cracking the top 10. Irvin did himself a service by moving down to LHW however, he has yet to garner enough wins to fight a notable opponent. He needs to follow up with another win to be taken serious. Goran Rejlic has reserved a spot on the radar and fans took notice with his decisive victory over Wilson Gouveia. Is Goran a rising star or another flash in the pan? Final word – Rejlic’s kicks and submission game are insane but needs to improve his striking. Goran has 2 fights left on his contract…make em count!
Wilson Gouveia #15 vs. Luis Cane #16
Was Gouveia’s loss a glimpse of things to come or was Rejlic a better fighter that night. I am one of the few who was not impressed by Wilson’s latest string of victories. He was one win away from probably getting a rematch with Keith Jardine. Luis Cane on the other hand nicely bounced back picking apart an undersized and unworthy Jason Lambert. Cane has the fire and tenacity to gain a nice fan base here in the US, not too mention a string of victories outside the UFC (7 straight) to help the cause…a la Thiago Silva and Lyoto Machida. The only mark is a DQ loss to James Irvin!?! Can he continue to win in the UFC? Final word – Cane continues to move up the ranks and Gouveia at best gets a rematch with Jardine down the road.
Jason Lambert #18 vs. Kaz Nakamura #19
Jason Lambert wasn’t so ‘punishing’ against Luis Cane. Final word - Last chance fight for either Nakamura or Lambert. Losers leave town!
Props to "How Not to Punch" bloodyelbow article
Houston Alexander #17 vs. Eric Schaefer (unranked) (Confirmed)
My oh my how the mighty have fallen. Should Houston win this fight, he can actually say "Nebraska’s in the house" and have it mean something. If Eric the Red can get this to the ground, Houston will have a problem. Final word – Oh, how close Houston was to cracking the top 5. A win keeps him in the UFC.
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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Step right up and offer your “opinion.” I don’t think it’s funny but give me a fans perspective as to why WAND is a legit contender at 205.
I won’t criticize, but I do welcome actual arguments.
He held the pride title withing the past two years (a major title). He had a back and forth match with Liddell, who you call a contender. He CRUSHED Jardine. and oh yeah, HE BEAT THE CURRENT CHAMP TWICE.
I am not saying he will or won’t win the UFC title, but to say he is not a contender at this point is a joke. You might think wandy is done and he is washed up or something, but you need more proof before counting him out of the title picture. He has proven he is a contender and until he starts losing to the lesser guys at 205 then what you are saying is unfair.
I don’t think WAND is done nor washed up. In fact I I think he is a proven contender. Just not right now. You can take the meaning of ‘pretender’ negatively however I merely use the label as a measure of probability to win the title.
In current LHW picture, Liddell and Lyoto Machida stand in the way of Silva’s quest for the title. Is WAND technically in the title picture, YES. Who wouldn’t want to see a rematch, this time in the Octagon against Jackson? It’s a money maker. But looking at Machida, Liddell and Rampage, I think Silva loses all three of those potential fights. Sure, he can get by beating guys outside the top ten, but even the guys in my bottom half of the top ten (Thiago and Sokoudjou) could also give Wanderlei trouble.
There’s no denying Silva will go down as one of the greatest Pride champions of all time. He fights with a huge heart and he makes it exciting.
by Gregory Kim on Jun 13, 2008 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Rampage
Is doubtedly a man in the prime of his career. What happened than is not reflective of their respective careers right now.
Wand in my opinion peaked towards the end of 2005, much like Tito Ortiz did. Though everyone thought Wanderlei was invicible after ‘05, the ensuing past two years have proved he’s not the same fighter. On the other hand it’s like sliding doors between Jackson and Silva. After losing to Rua, Rampage has gone undefeated since 2005. My oh my what consecutive wins can do for a fighter’s confidence, not too mention Quinton is only 29 years old.
Personally, I see different outcomes if Rampage were to fight Wanderlei and Shogun in the Octagon. Rampage is a completely different fighter in the UFC – different and better trainers/partners, his stand up is more crisp and his overall training/fitness/eating regime has changed from his Pride days.
by Gregory Kim on Jun 13, 2008 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t disagree that Rampage would win. I just thing its wrong to not say Wandy isn’t a contender v. a guy he beat twice. Wandy is less then two years older then Rampage and has also entered a new camp to improve his game after he recent falls v. top level competition.
Your point is well taken. By all means, the guy is top 5 fighter right now but I don’t see him actually beating Liddell, Jackson or Machida. I just see too many other guys at 205 that will present problems for him coupled with the opinion that I think he’s already plateau’d so to speak. And therefore to the dismay of others, I labeled the Axe Murderer as a ‘pretender’.
We’ll agree to disagree on Wanderlei.
I am anxious to see who he fights next, and hopefully it’s against another top 10 fighter.
i think Wanderlei has looked far more impressive then Shogun did and you count Shogun as a contender.
Shogun....
Despite his debut loss in the UFC, I still believe Rua will be a contender at 205. Yes, Shogun in my rankings and others, is indeed ranked under Wanderlei…due to his recent performance. So perhaps we agree that for the short term, WAND may be starting something. We’ll see, he needs to follow up to convince me he is a serious contender at 205.
As for Shogun, we can debate how healthy or unhealthy he was coming into UFC 76. Regardless of the loss, he has an upside that no MMA practitioner of the sport can deny…that coupled with his age and inexperience fighting in the octagon still have me thinking that he has yet to peak in the octagon. Shogun matches up really well with the rest of the 205 division, I like his chances more so than Wanderlei.
Houston Alexander was never anywhere near Top 5, and he’s likely now on his way out of the UFC, even though they’re giving him a puncher’s chance against a BJJ black belt with little to no standup game.
I like Eric’s chances here. Unless Houston comes in like he did against Jardine, Sakara and Butler, he will get taken down and likely submitted.
by Gregory Kim on Jun 13, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
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