Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

by Michael Rome on Mar 4, 2008 7:27 PM EST in MMA News

I know people will have wide views on this one, and it's VERY unlikely to happen, but what if they did Chuck v. Nogueira in June for the title, now that shogun is out?

I think it is a very good stylistic fight for Chuck, and it will be a great fight for us, but if Chuck wins, there are some huge upsides for The UFC.

They will have a hugely marketable champion at heavyweight to replace Couture
One day Chuck/Lesnar is a huge money fight. And I mean huge.
It avoids Chuck's inevitable KO loss to Rampage, and thus prolongs his career (he'll probably retire when this happens)
Even basic title matches against names like Mir will do at least 500k buys, as opposed to Nog/Mir which is a 300k buy show without a big semi main.
Allows them to really focus on Quinton and all of their upcoming stars at LHW.

Just food for thought

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Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

Good points. He needs to move up with QRJ holding the title, but he will just be another Crocop, way too small for the current crop of 230-260 lb HWs.

But you make an assumption that Chuck could beat Nog. Um, dude, Fedor, Crocop, and Sylvia all hit harder than Chack, and none could KO him. Sooner or later 235 lb Nog will get Chack down and sub him. Hey, Horn could do it... and Nog's in another world, in another dimension.

by MoreThanUFC on Mar 4, 2008 8:20 PM EST reply actions

Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

Yea I can't see Chuck hanging with heavys. He's got wrestling but he'll get out strengthed and taken down.

by Yasnian on Mar 4, 2008 8:26 PM EST reply actions

Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

Chuck's inevitable KO to Rampage? Sure he's been dominated twice, but I wouldn't say that another KO is inevitable...

by CacophonyKid on Mar 4, 2008 8:33 PM EST reply actions

Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

Mike this is definitely one situation I didn't even think about. I don't think it will happen based on the aforementioned reasons but it's an intriguing thought nonetheless.

I think they're going to go with a safer bet here and just match him up with Rashad Evans. Chuck vs Anderson Silva is definitely intriguing but I think they want him to beat Okami first and officially clean out the division and I also think they want to give Chuck a safer win. They really got lucky with the win over Wand as that fight was 50/50 and could have gone the other way. While Shogun was ranked #1 for a bit Chuck is a heavy favor and would also be a heavy favorite against Rashad. I personally hate Rashad but it would be Chuck beating an undefeated contender and in the small chance of a Rashad win it would be one of their TUF guys winning; a win-win for the company. Chuck v Anderson would cement one legacy and shit on the other and the same with Chuck v Nog.

The other thing is there is always the chance of Forrest somehow pulling off the victory against Rampage and I'd say Forrest v Chuck is a pretty huge draw on PPV as well. I think we could see 600k+ for that one.

by dropkick101 on Mar 4, 2008 10:03 PM EST reply actions

Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

"Chuck's inevitable KO to Rampage? Sure he's been dominated twice, but I wouldn't say that another KO is inevitable..."

Oh yes, Rampage OWNS chuck...I don't see Liddell moving up to HW either...what would be better for the UFC is if Rampage lost to Forrest(ain't happening) but that would set up Chuck/Forrest and that would do MONSTER #'s IMO...also would set up Wandy/Rampage 3...Rampage/Shogun...

by Tha Realness on Mar 4, 2008 10:46 PM EST reply actions

Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

GET OUT OF MY BRAIN!

STOP WRITING WHAT I'M GOING TO WRITE!

I HATE YOU SO MUCH

by fightlinker on Mar 4, 2008 11:28 PM EST reply actions

Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

I like this idea. I more-or-less agree that Chuck getting KOd by Rampage is inevitable at 205.

HW is very thin right now, and Chuck would provide a huge spark. I don't think he'll be another Cro Cop. He has more of an upside than Cro Cop.

by Popetastic on Mar 4, 2008 11:38 PM EST reply actions

Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

You are right about this being a money maker for the UFC. Who wouldn't watch?

Chuck loses this one because he has to gain too much weight to roll with Nog who doesn't need to change his conditioning. JMO

Chuck connects and knocks out Nog.

Anything could happen in this one.

Good idea for a fight and it allows Chuck to fight again and make some cash himself.

I'll be back to add more in the next twenty-four...unless, by some mishap, someone K.O s FEDOR.

by prideUFCfan on Mar 5, 2008 2:05 AM EST reply actions

Re: Brainstorming: Chuck at Heavyweight?

I think Nog/Chuck is real interesting. I do not think Sylvia hits harder than Chuck, and really his one good shot that landed knocked Nog down. Sylvia hasn't knocked anyone out since Arlovski, his power is overrated. Fedor hits very hard, but the speed of those punches on the ground is not as hard as a straight hard standing shot. And really Cro Cop was pretty close to winning the fight, Nog was saved by the first round bell.

Any way I think that fight is a 50/50 proposition. I don't think it's certain Chuck would win by any means, but it would be very, very intriguing to watch. Chuck will be very hard to take down, and wont be as incompetent as Sylvia if pulled into guard.

by Michael Rome on Mar 5, 2008 4:32 AM EST reply actions