The UFC MW Division, matchups for the rest of 2009

by Gunslinger20 on Mar 30, 2009 10:47 AM EDT Comment 17 comments

In the last 12 months or so the UFC Middleweight Division has gotten better by leaps and bounds w/ additions like Akiyama and Denis Kang, the emergence of Demian Maia, and the dropping down in weight class of Wanderlei Silva. Regardless of who wins in the Thales Leites vs Anderson Silva matchup, we're set to see some great fights for the rest of 2009 as it appears that the Middleweight Division has become extremely stacked w/ great competition.

In another post, I saw that apparently Demian Maia may be next in line for a title shot and there were some great ideas that I could see for matchups that could set the title picture for a while.... what matchups in the UFC Middleweight Division would people like to see and who do you see as the champ at the end of 2009?

For me:

Marquardt vs Wanderlei Silva

Akiyama vs Demian Maia

Okami vs Bisping

Henderson vs Wanderlei Silva (love to see Wanderlei against a lot of the MW competition)

Belcher vs Kang rematch

Just some ideas on what I'd like to see. In all reality, I'd love to see Demian Maia as the MW champ by the end of 2009 but unless he improves more on his stand up... it will be an uphill battle. Wanderlei takes the MW belt by the end of 2009.

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

0 recs | Comment 17 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Nate vs Wandy…love it!

Okami vs Bisping would be very interesting and a win may finally get Okami his shot.

Hendo vs Wandy…I’m always for these type of matches.

Belcher vs Kang..Interestingly, I wouldn’t mind seeing this happen, though I doubt it will.

Looking forward to more Palhares and very interested to see Ricardo Almeida this week. I think the MWs get a bad rap because the guy on top is so dominant.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 30, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the bad rap ends this year...

IMO, Anderson Silva isn’t there all mentally anymore…. I think this is the year where he does indeed get dethroned. I think Thales Leites has a lil bit more than a “punchers chance” against Anderson Silva… I’m not completely writing him off. I’d like to see Okami get a shot just so people will shut up about it already… lol. I like the Thales Leites matchup against Anderson Silva better than Yushin Okami. It would be cool to see Ricardo Almeida get back on track like he was before the Cote fight.

Wonder what the chances are of that infamous GSP move up to 185 would actually happen?

Since you’re in Denver… you going to K.O.C. this Saturday to see JT Money fight Chris Camozzi?

by Gunslinger20 on Mar 30, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, saving my $$ for Ring of Fire in a couple of weeks. I went to the Fight 2 Win show a couple of weeks ago. Had some glitches, but I think they are working towards being a pretty good show that treats the fighters well.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 30, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh Colorado vs Nebraska

Was a descent show but those had to be some of the most obnoxious fans I’d ever seen… I kinda felt bad for the Nebraska fighters.

Ring of Fire has a show coming up? I’ll have to check that out.

by Gunslinger20 on Mar 31, 2009 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fucking JT Money won that fight like a hobo fucking a bag of potatoes.

by subo on Mar 30, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

meant to say "did you go"

by Gunslinger20 on Mar 31, 2009 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way Wandy beats Anderson with his wild style. Simple as that.
Also look for the newly aquired Proffesor X to make a lot of noise very soon starting with my prediction of him knocking out Denis Kang at UFC 97.

by StevenLaw on Mar 30, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you about Wandy's wild style...

but I don’t see Wanderlei beating Anderson Silva to take the belt.

by Gunslinger20 on Mar 30, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad..

My wording is tricky, but i also agree that Anderson KO’s Wandy.

by StevenLaw on Mar 30, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think we’d see an Anderson Silva vs Wanderlei Silva matchup…. if it were to happen, I’d take Anderson just due to his patience and precision with his striking. I can’t shake the feeling that Anderson Silva is going to get shocked this year…. whether it be Leites or Maia. I pray for Maia’s sake that he works the hell out of his striking skills because taking Anderson Silva down is no easy task.

I agree with ya with Professor X…. can’t think of all his name at this point… but I saw some footage of him and he looks like a great competitor.

by Gunslinger20 on Mar 30, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Xaiver

Foupa Pokam. I have seen several of his fights and he is exciting. His strking is phenomanal.
I am glad they are giving him kang first, because witha win they can put him in there with someone like wilson gouveia and build him up pretty fast

by StevenLaw on Mar 30, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also think...

That we can gauge how a Maia vs Silva matchup will go by how good Leites does.
Of course Maia has better bjj but you see what im sayin.

by StevenLaw on Mar 30, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree, 100%

by Gunslinger20 on Mar 30, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really...

Would like to see Anderson fight someone more credible than Leites.
If the UFC thinks Anderson dont sell PPV’s then wait till they see how many shows they could headline with Leites.
I see this fight as a lose lose situation.

by StevenLaw on Mar 30, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wanderlei v Manhoef!

by subo on Mar 30, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Want to see Maia vs Silva for the title. As easy a time as Silva has had defending the title, Maia has made it look even more effortless on his way to that title shot.

by Bigperm on Mar 30, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs