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Contender or Pretander: Determining the UFC’s Number One Contenders
One of the biggest issues for the UFC is determining who deserves the chance to fight for one of the organizations five titles. With many divisions lacking a true number one contender, here are some fights that would clear that issue up.
Lightweight: Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard- Although Edgar has been the one recently campaining for a lightweight title shot, Maynard is the one who is an undefeated 8-0. The two met in April of 2008 with “the bully” winning a unanimous decision. Unfortunately for Maynard, his style is far from exciting and that will likely make it harder for him to get a title shot. Five of his six wins in the UFC have come by decision and while taking opponents down and holding them on the mat may win fights, it won’t sell many tickets. Edgar has won all of his fights in the UFC except the first contest with Maynard and has looked very impressive in his last three fights; wins over Matt Veach, Sean Sherk, and Hermes Franca. A rematch between these two fighters would determine a true number one contender.
Welterweight: Dan Hardy vs. Josh Koscheck- After Koscheck recently defeated Anthony Johnson at UFC 106, he called out Hardy claiming to be the true number one contender. Hardy was already promised a title shot against current champ Georges St. Pierre after beating Mike Swick in November, but not many people believe he really stands a chance in that fight. It’s hard to envision anyone in the UFC’s welterweight division giving GSP a run for his money, but both fighters seem interested in taking on one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. Koscheck lost to St. Pierre once already, but in fairness to him, that fight was well over two years ago and he has improved greatly since then.
Middleweight: Vitor Belfort vs. Nate Marquardt- Den Henderson’s recent signing with Strikeforce has made the middleweight picture a lot less confusing. It was previously reported that Belfort would get the next middleweight title shot, but with Anderson Silva still recovering from elbow surgery, there is no reason the UFC couldn’t determine a true number one contender. Belfort has really done very little to warrant a title shot, he hasn’t even fought for the organization since 2005. He also hasn’t fought in the middleweight division in quite a while. Marquardt is slated to face journeyman Chael Sonnen at UFC 109, so it is unlikely this fight will take place anytime soon.
Light Heavyweight: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira- Little Nog made his UFC debut in impressive fashion last month, demolishing up and comer Luis Cane in the first round at UFC 106. Many fans believe Shogun was robbed in his decision loss to champ Lyoto Machida in October and a win over Nogueira would put him in position to get a rematch. This fight would be particularily interesting considering when the two fighters met in Pride in 2005, it was one of the most entertaining fights in recent memory. Similar to the middleweight division, the champ is currently recovering from an injury giving the organization time to determine whether Shogun deserves a quick rematch, or if Nogueira should be next in line.
Heavyweight: Shane Carwin vs. Cain Velasquez- With Brock Lesnat still on the mend, it looks like the UFC will need to implement an interim championship belt. The two undefeated prospects are the obvious candidates to fight for that. Both are very strong fighters with excellent wrestling, similar to Lesnar. Velasquez has been questioned for his ability to finish his opponents and Carwin has yet to be tested by a top tier heavyweight. In his toughest fight against Gabriel Gonzaga, he was losing the fight before scoring a knockout, which was more becuase of Gonzaga’s soft chin than anything else. Who ever wins this fight would definitely deserev a shot at Lesnar’s belt.
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Koscheck is truly an amazing athlete. I did not like him when he was on TUF, but over time I have really gotten into following him. His win over Johnson was truly amazing.