After the dust settles: UFC MW division
Posted on August 10, 2010, 12:27 PM by Oopsmadeyatap123Ok since Anderson Silva Will be out until at least February I thought we could all take a look at the middleweight division of the UFC and try to sort this stuff out. First off let's look at the top contenders of the division; here are my Top 8 in no particular order (excluding Anderson Silva)
1. Chael Sonnen
2. Nate Marquardt
3. Yushin Okami
4. Vitor Belfort
5. Demian Maia
6. Chris Leben
7. Wanderlei Silva
8. Alan Belcher
Ok so I do not think Chael will get an instant rematch nor do I think he deserves it. Almost all instant rematches that have happened in the UFC occurred because of a controversial decision a bad call by the referee or a DQ, therefore no rematch. I think we can take off Leben and Wandy because I'm pretty sure they will fight each other in the near future, so my first potential matchup is:
Yushin Okami Vs. Vitor Belfort (for #1 Contendership)
With Anderson out for a while it gives a perfect opportunity to determine whether or not Belfort really deserves a shot. I think the matchup with Okami and his all around game will be a great matchup for the powerful Brazilian and will truly determine the #1 contender. Plus it gives Okami his long overdue rematch with Anderson Silva.
Another Matchup I would like to see is the rematch between Chael Sonnen and Demian Maia
I mainly want to see this fight because I want Chael to win and prove that he can learn from his past (8) mistakes. I do not think that Sonnen has a problem defending submissions but that he gives his opponents too many opportunities to get one (eventually they will if you sit in the guard all fight). Sonnen can prevent this by staying active by passing Maia’s guard as opposed to throwing punches and elbows.
That leaves Nate Marquardt and Alan Belcher.
I do not see these two fighting each other but I would love to see Marquardt fight the winner of Leben and Silva is he gets past Palahares (which I think he will do) The winner of that fight getting the next shot at the title. Alan Belcher on the other hand could be shelved for a long time due to his recent injury. I do not care who he fights as long as he does because he is one of the most exciting fighters in the middleweight division.
In the end I think it will come down to what Anderson does. I think he is close to retiring or moving up to 205. Either way I am predicting mayhem in the MW division for a couple years which is only good news for the fans.
Comments
haha I love the line "I mainly want to see this fight because I want Chael to win and prove that he can learn from his past (8) mistakes" but I agree that's a good matchup. Maia is the perfect type of fighter to beat Sonnen and if Sonnen can get past him (and perhaps even survive with him on the ground) then he deserves another title shot for sure. And I definitely agree with you on the Okami/Belfort fight and Dana hasnt said anything about Leben/Wanderlei if that's gonna happen or not I dont think.
The UFC middleweight division is starting to look a lot deeper than it did a few months ago.
i would like to see Alan Belcher vs Chris Leben, even tho it wouldnt be for the #1 contender, it would be one hell of a fight
good post. I have no real arguements with these ideas.
Agreed good post. Maybe we'll be adding Alves to this list soon too, since i dont think Dana is gonna let him fight WW any more.
I find it pretty odd that the list of 'top 8' contenders doesn't include Rousimar Palhares. He's fighting Marquardt next and after that fight I think people will likely being regarding him as a top 4 contender. He has a better recent record than half of the fighters listed as 'top 8'. I always wonder why more people arent talking about him as an up and comer. He would give anyone in that division a run for their money. I think we'll see him fighting for the title within the next year.
The master of heelhooks.
Alan belcher is very un consitant until lately, i think hes fixed that problem and after that cote fight i think belcher should fight leben when he gets back, winner of that should fight for number 1 contendership after vitor or chael get a shot
Vitor Belfort vs Anderson Silva
Chael Sonnen vs Yushin Okami Rematch # 1 Contender
Wanderlei Silva vs Chris Leben
Alan Belcher vs Nate Marquardt
The Sonnen vs Okami fight would be interesting to me because both fought Anderson and the winner would have a rematch against Anderson If he gets past Vitor.
I dont think Anderson sould keep his hands down when fighting Vitor beacuse if Chael can rock Anderson then Vitor can too. I think Anderson should keep his hands up.
vitor should get a fight before, i dont saying he is not a number 1 contender but it will give more credibility to his title shot if he wins.
Silva's beat half the guys on this list. Sonnen's the only rematch i'd like to see. The MW division is starting to resemble the WW with the champ fighting guys he's already beaten.
okami vs belfort is a weird match up i would like to see leben vs okami or leben vs belfort.
The MW division is actually kind of a mess right now, with no real stand out #1 contender for the next title shot. I'm hoping they get some top fights in to make a decent decision before Silva heals up.
Great post, I agree completely.