Fantasy match-making in the UFC Light HW Division
by klown on Nov 22, 2009 6:26 PM EST
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Despite recent setbacks like the Machida-Rua controversy, Machida's injury, and the indefinite departures of Henderson, Jackson and Liddell, the UFC Light Heavyweight division still has the potential to be exciting. Let's first list the upcoming match-ups in the division then explore some of the interesting possibilities ahead.
Machida vs Rua
The general consensus is that Rua deserves the immediate title shot. Due to Machida's injury, however, the fight must be postponed at least until spring. By the time the winner of that fight is ready to defend his title in the summer or fall of next year, the division may look vastly different than it does now.
Evans vs Silva
Two top-ranked light heavies looking to return to contention. Silva has already rebounded from his destruction at the hands of current champion Machida by knocking out Jardine. A win over Evans, the previous champion, would make Silva the #1 contender. Having Silva fight for the title is especially appealing if Rua emerges victiorious (I am always reluctant about rematches, especially for title shots, especially when the original fight was so decisive.) Meanwhile Evans needs at least one more win before fighting for the title.
Coleman-Couture
This fight makes sense on many levels. Both veterans are coming off decision wins against mid-level competition (in the form of Bonnar and Vera, respectively). Since we are dealing with stars who can be entertaining to follow even if they are not necessarily threats to the title, the outcome of this fight could lead to some interesting match-ups
Jones vs Hammill
Jones is an undefeated star tearing thru the middle of the LHW division, with recent wins over Bonnar and former HW O'Brien. If he finishes Hammill, he should finally get his first taste of Top 10 compeition. As for Hammill, who has amassed a solid record but was blocked from entering the LHW elite with losses to Franklin and Bisping, a win against Jones should place him right on the outskirts of the Top 10.
Now the fun part. I will make the case for some future match-ups that make sense in the UFC LHW division. Join me by playing Joe Silva in the comment section.
Nogueira vs the winner of Evans-Silva
The winner of this fight would the #1 contender for the title. For Evans, this means a trajectory of wins over Silva and Nogueira since he lost his title to Machida - a very respectable run. For Silva, straight wins against Jardine, Evans and Nogueira would make him an undisputed top contender. Even if Machida still holds the belt, he would have look upon Silva as a serious threat to his title. As for Nogueira, nobody could deny him a title shot after his stunning knockoug of the feared Cane followed by a good win over either Evans or Silva.
Griffin vs the winner of Coleman-Couture
Griffin has a ways to climb before redeeming himself from his back-to-back knockout losses to Evans and Anderson Silva. It makes sense for him to take on a few lower-ranked opponents before he returns to contention. Griffin has spoken disparagingly of Coleman, but with wins over Griffin's TUF rival Bonnar and his TUF coach Couture, Coleman should get Griffin's attention. (Couture is on the record mocking the "BJJ-inspired" tradition of refusing to fight gym partners, so that shouldn't be an obstacle.) The winner of this fight would be one additional win away from a title shot - perhaps against the loser of Machida-Rua.
Ortiz vs the loser of Coleman-Couture
If Coleman loses, then Ortiz will finally get his promised "tune-up" fight against the aging veteran. If Couture loses, a rematch of the classic Couture-Ortiz fight would be exciting despite its irrelevance to title contention in the division. That makes Ortiz vs the loser of Coleman-Couture a win-win situation.
Jardine vs the winner of Jones-Hammill
With his inconsistent record against top LHWs, Jardine has proven that he can hang with the best without truly vying for the title. This makes him the very definition of a gatekeeper, albeit a gatekeeper to the Top 10 of the LHW division. He is the perfect choice to welcome - or turn away - Jones or Hammill at the doorstep of the LHW Top 10.
Cane vs Vera
Both are hyped fighters coming off embarrassing losses. They will be hungry to pust past losses behind them but certainly fearful of being further down-graded. It is time to put one man's hype to rest for once and for all, so who shall it, Cane or Vera?
Liddell vs Franklin
In the spirit of the veteran match-ups that are being put together. This could be a spectacular fight if Liddell showed up in good shape. There's little chance of Franklin tapping Liddell's chin since he lacks the power of Evans and Rua. It's also a no-lose fight because if the winner takes in impressive fashion, he keeps himself close to the title picture. If both fighters come off looking shot, well, the fight still has that historic value.
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 only problem with the Nog vs. Evans/Silva winner being #1 contender is Evans and Silva have both lost to Machida very recently in embarassing fashion. If Rua wins the rematch then that’s a fine #1 contender match but I don’t see how you can call Silva a serious threat to Machida when he was so thoroughly dominated by him less than a year ago. Now it won’t matter if Nog wins as I believe he would but you’re gonna have a hard time selling Machida/Silva 2 as a legit title match if it comes to that.
by ufc4 on Nov 22, 2009 7:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You’re right that title shots for Evans and Silva would be more attractive with Rua as champion rather than Machida. There’s a good chance that’s exactly what we’ll see. As you also point, there’s a very good chance Nogueira would defeat the winner of Evans-Silva, and legitimately compete for the title afterwards. Although once again, the fight is more attractive against Rua than Machida. While his manager, Soares, did not rule out a fight between teammates Nogueira and Machida, Nogueira himself did express reluctance to fight Machida in the post-fight interviews.
I think the liddel franklin fight would be more likely to end with liddel ko’d than the other way around. I would love to see the cane vs vera match up.
Also, if shogun wins its possible that a. silva gets first go at him, im sure thats a fight he wants anyway. I know I would love to see it.
There’s little chance of Franklin tapping Liddell’s chin since he lacks the power of Evans and Rua.
Nate Quarry disagrees.
Here's what I am thinking
Rampage vs. Evans – Yes it would require Rampage coming back and Evans beating Silva but I think that is a match everyone wants to see.
Liddell vs. Griffin – Was originally going to happen if Evans didnt ko Chuck. 2 huge fan favorites. Griffin cant knock Chuck out so could Chuck finish him or take a decision or would Griffin beat Liddell like he did Rampage.
Lil Nog vs. T. Silva – I think it could be a great match.
Cane vs. Jardine – Both guys have looked good and bad.
Hammill vs. Vera – Was supposed to happen at 102 be interested to see who takes it.
Franklin vs. Couture – Interesting match I think.
Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader – Battle of the young stars
Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrcok – Come on Ortiz has to start winning again
and finally: drum roll please
Mark Coleman vs. Vladimir Matyushenko for the title of Mr. Irrelevant LHW
But your matches are good too, either way.
Bullshit
Mark Coleman vs. Vladimir Matyushenko for the title of Mr. Irrelevant LHW
Vlad is very relevant, IMO. He was top 10 ranked before the loss to Lil Nog (who has looked like an absolute stud lately), and impressed in his debut against Mirko’s training partner (whose name escapes me). With his wrestling, top control, and improved striking I could see him hanging with some of the better guys @ 205. Probably won’t ever vie for the title, but he’s far from ‘irrelevant’.
As for Liddell/ Griffin, I disagree. Forrest needs to fight someone at the top of the division (like the winner of Evans/ Silva, Jardine in a rematch, or Rich), and Chuck needs to be fighting someone on the senior circuit in a showcase match (like a Coleman, a Tito, maybe even Randy).
And Tito/ K Shammy IV? Srsly? Come on, that’s just ridiculous.
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Nov 22, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
Wasnt trying to piss anyone off my bad
The last 2 were joke fights. At least to me.
Your right nobody wants to see Ortiz Shamrock 4.
As for Vlad he maybe better than I give him credit for but top 10 before the Nog fight? I dont think so.
Look at his record between the losses to Andrei and Rogerio. Yes he beat 8 guys in a row but not 1 of those guys was top 15 and yet Vlad was top 10?
As for Griffin - Liddell
You maybe right when you say Forrest deserves a better natchup but Jardine and Franklin arent exactly top of the division. Jardine has dropped his last 2 fights and Rich is 1-2 in his last 3. Besides Evans already beat him less than a year ago.
I dislike the Senior Circuit Showcase matches. My opinion is you either got it or you dont. I’m not saying you have to fight the top guy or the #1 contender everytime but I dislike the fact that a guy like Hughes stays so high ranked by beating a Serra and talks about fighting a Renzo Gracie but wont fight a Fitch or Koscheck.
Hughes doesn't make the rankings...
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Nov 23, 2009 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t care for the Jones-Bader fight simply because I think they both have a ton of potential and could be title contenders after 3-4 more wins, no reason to guarantee one of them a loss at this point.
by ufc4 on Nov 23, 2009 12:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think Irvin is fighting at 185 now.
by ufc4 on Nov 23, 2009 1:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think Bader would maul him but it’s a good matchup to get Bader some exposure against a name opponent.
by ufc4 on Nov 23, 2009 9:31 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I like the idea of Tito vs Jardine.
"Well... You're damned if you do, and You're damned if you don't."- Bart Simpson
by poundnground on Nov 22, 2009 11:17 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Tito's chin > Forrest's chin
as far as I can tell. But it definitely could happen
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Nov 23, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
I'd Like to see..
Darth Bader matched up against someone like Soszynski, Cantwell, or even an Eliot Marshall…I don’t think he’s ready to face a 15 fighter yet
I would also LOVE to see Franklin vs. Liddell. There is no benefit for either fighter, since both are so far away from a title shot, but it would just be a dream match i’ve had from when they both were champions
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