Over the past few months, no UFC division has changed more dramatically than the Light Heavyweight division. We have a new champ, a new number one contender, some experienced warriors are back in the mix, while a handful of young talent waits for their turn to to take on the best the division has to offer. With the championship fight between Shogun Rua and Rashad Evans all but set in stone, I thought it would be a good idea to look at some possibilities for upcoming matches within the division.
The most obvious fight to make in the division is Rampage vs. Machida. Some think it’s a foregone conclusion that they’ll meet sometime this fall, but I disagree. Rampage sells pay-per views. Just like Brock Lesnar, as long as he’s having some type of success as a fighter, people will be interested. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Rampage is the UFC’s top headliner, next to of course Lesnar. So what am I getting at? Well, why would the UFC risk putting Rampage is a very losable and possible boring match against a top contender like Machida? The UFC can’t risk having Rampage lose two fights in a row at this point in his career. So, what should they do? Set up a rematch with Forrest Griffin. The two fighters have a history, and this fight would do big pay per view numbers. A fight against Forrest is much more winnable than a fight with Machida. A win puts Rampage back in the title picture for another rematch against either Evans or Shogun.
With Rampage and Forrest now out of the picture, what will be done with Machida? Easy, have him square off against Rich Franklin. If Franklin can heal his broken hand on time, why not have these two headline UFC 120 in October which is scheduled to take place in London. Franklin’s first MMA loss actually came at the hands of Machida way back in 2003. For Franklin to truly make one last title run, he’ll have no choice but to go through high level competition like Machida. For the once unbeatable Machida, this could be an excellent opportunity to get back on the road to a trilogy match with Shogun.
Out of the top contenders, only Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is left. After a less than impressive victory over Jason Brilz at UFC 114, it’s time for Nogueira to hop back in to deep waters and take on a dangerous opponent. Enter Jon Jones. If Jones can get by Vladimir Matyusshenko on August 1st, which many expect he will, then this match should be made immediately. The UFC is taking things slowly with the 22 year-old Jones, who’s immense talent can’t be denied. Like many young phenoms before him, Jones will have to prove that he can live up to the hype and a fight against a very experienced and skilled Nogueira would be a great start.
With all these names off the list, there’s two fighters who are on the cusp of entering headline status in the division. Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader and Mr. Wonderful, Phil Davis. It’s usually pretty unconventional for the UFC to pit two rising stars against each other, unless it’s a fight that has title implications, but with a division that already has so many big names, I think this fight makes sense. It would catapult the winner into a fight with one of the above mentioned fighters and also lead the way to creating another star in the division.
That’s my opinion on how I think things should and will go down. Am I 100& right? Probably not. One thing that I can be 100% right about saying is that the next year in the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division will be very interesting and entertaining. Enjoy the ride, because we’re all about to be witness to some amazing fights and of course lots of hype like only the UFC can do.
Joe Osborne
