[Figure8Guitar]

I would actually like to see Shogun get another shot. I still give Jones the win 9 times out of 10, but I really think he'd put up a better fight than he did the first time. He looked absolutely terrible coming off that layoff from injury.

Like it's been said before, there's basically no one left at this weight class besides rematches anyways. I bet Gustafson gets one more fight and then the title shot, but if he gets beaten by anyone else, the division is pretty much at a stand-still.

[blindrider529]

I think if Rumble Johnson puts on a solid performance at 205 in a couple weeks or whenever that fight is they should bring him back to the UFC.

Also, Glover Teixeira. Ryan Jimmo might be in line, too. He did just tie (and in reality should've beat) the record for fastest knockout in the UFC.

And don't forget about guys like Phil Davis & James Te Huna.

[blindrider529]

I just noticed something weird about the Middleweight division...

There are 50+ Middleweights on the current UFC MW roster and Anderson has only fought about 5 of them.

Also, Royce Gracie is on the current UFC middleweight roster.

[Brandon Allin]

If Teixera wins impressively over Rampage, he'll be in the mix, but there's no way Jimmo is anywhere close. Phil Davis was working his way up, but he's coming off a loss in an incredibly boring fight, but he's fighting a nobody on the undercard this Saturday, so I doubt he's close.

[Stavie Steelo]

Erick Silva vs Fitch at 153. Hope Silva KOs that douche quickly again.

[Brandon Allin]

That card looks fantastic with Aldo/Koch, Belfort/Belcher, Rampage/Teixera, and now Fitch/Silva.

[blindrider529]

Originally Posted by Brandon Allin

If Teixera wins impressively over Rampage, he'll be in the mix, but there's no way Jimmo is anywhere close. Phil Davis was working his way up, but he's coming off a loss in an incredibly boring fight, but he's fighting a nobody on the undercard this Saturday, so I doubt he's close.

Well, based on their lack of contenders that haven't already been smashed by Jones, none of these guys are way off. If Brandon Vera is fighting for a titleshot than virtually NONE of these guys should be considered nowhere close.

My bet is that if Teixera beats Rampage he'll for sure get a #1 contenders match, if not a straight up titleshot. They've already hyped him as a terrifying finisher who Shogun and the rest of the LHW roster doesn't want to fight.

I don't think Jimmo SHOULD be close, but in terms of promoting a fight he hasn't been smashed by Jones yet, has a long winning streak, and just tied the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history. In terms of promoting a fight there are a few postive things there. Also, he does a killer robot.

Phil is still a dominant force at LHW. His only loss is a decision to the former champion and one of the most consistent LHWs and the only guy to even take Jones the distance in like 9 fights. All of that is describing Rashad Evans...in case that sounded like I was describing 3 guys! :-P

Keep in mind, BRANDON VERA IS FIGHTING FOR A CHANCE AT THE BELT. So black is white and up is down.

[Brandon Allin]

I get what you're saying, and I mostly agree with you, but the difference is that Brandon Vera is fighting in the main event on a major network in front of millions of people.

[blindrider529]

Also important to remember that Vera, Rua, Machida, Bader, Rampage and 'Shad have all already been beaten by Jones in the last year and a half...so even if the resumes of these other guys aren't as legit in terms of competition or winning streaks they still can be hyped as the guy who miiiight have a bad style for Jones or whatever.

[blindrider529]

Originally Posted by Brandon Allin

I get what you're saying, and I mostly agree with you, but the difference is that Brandon Vera is fighting in the main event on a major network in front of millions of people.

Which is pretty silly haha

I think Machida-Bader should be the headliner, and it makes waaaaay more sense for that one to be a #1 contender match, IMO (even though Lyoto lost more recently than Rua).

[Brandon Allin]

Originally Posted by blindrider529

Which is pretty silly haha

I think Machida-Bader should be the headliner, and it makes waaaaay more sense for that one to be a #1 contender match, IMO (even though Lyoto lost more recently than Rua).

I agree with that completely, though of Shogun wins impressively like I expect, I wouldn't be opposed to a rematch with Jones.

[blindrider529]

Originally Posted by Brandon Allin

I agree with that completely, though of Shogun wins impressively like I expect, I wouldn't be opposed to a rematch with Jones.

Yeah, I feel like Rua was either not 100% or just wasnt prepared for a guy like Jones the first time. Also, I just plain love fights, so I really don't care who fights who and for what title. As long as we get some good fights I'm happy!

[Brandon Allin]

Originally Posted by blindrider529

Yeah, I feel like Rua was either not 100% or just wasnt prepared for a guy like Jones the first time. Also, I just plain love fights, so I really don't care who fights who and for what title. As long as we get some good fights I'm happy!

More or less my mentality exactly, haha. Put two exciting fighters in the cage together, and I don't really give a shit about who is and who isn't deserving of what, etc. I just like watching fights.

[Jaimehere]

If Vera miraculously wins this, he will once again be beaten badly by Jones and might get another brutal elbow shot to the orbital bone lol

[blindrider529]

Dana sort of changed his mind and now whoever wins Vera-Shogun and Machida-Bader the most convincingly will get the titleshot.