@ Taipan 15:48 Oh, just read that bit, Shogun v's winner rashad /rampage, funny feeling it wont matter who wins that one, Shogun will still walk away champion, then maybe we could look at A Silva v's Shogun

I don't give two fucks if he deserves it or not, I want to see Randy fight for the title. Jimbonics makes a great point that Randy isnt full of fights. He'll retire if he loses and hell, he might retire if he wins . Rampage, Rashad, Jones, they all still have very long careers left ahead of them. I for one, appreciate what the UFC is doing for Randy...and his 19 year old girlfriend.

Another Randy fight, another fight I wish wouldn't happen however you can't underestimate the crazy old bastard, I just feel that if they fought right now Rua would be a bit sharper in all aspects and take a decision at worst, who know's what might happen by November.
Randy may have retired with dignity and preserved the legend and the brand name for all of eternity. Or not

didn't everybody here bitch and complain when Rua got his title shot against Machida? There was so much crap thrown around. People were saying the same shit how he did not deserve it and there were other people in line and now look what happened.

@macreadyshack
Must suck to repost the same thing in two different articles and have no one care, twice. I keed, anyway.

While I had a great time pointlessly speculating on the future of LHW belt today, DW has confirmed the winner of Rampage and Rashad will fight Shogun next.

Since we're talking about Anderson in this thread, too, I'm cutting and pasting what I wrote in the JDS vs Nelson article. I'm not doing this because I think it's quality, I just want to know what you guys think and I'm not sure if anybody's reading the comments on that other thread at this point. If this is a huge breach of etiquette, sorry in advance . . .

I think the UFC has terribly mishandled A Silva. It's like they have Rembrandt on their roster but refuse to give him anything but broken cyan crayolas. I'm not excusing his behavior. The way he acts is bizarre - sort of like a badass Jedi master who has succumbed to the dark side. Or maybe the Bizzaro version of Superman. He needs real challenges - I know it's been said over and over but I'll be Goddamned if Joe Silva is getting the message. This guy transcends belts and titles - he's a superfight machine. None of us want the UFC to regress back into the dark ages of David vs Goliath match-ups but with A Silva it's different. He has the strength, speed, skills, bone density and adaptability to fight in any of weight class 185 and up. They should be using that and giving him real challenges. When it's all said and done, this sport isn't about belts or titles for us hardcore fans (I know I'm generalizing here - maybe not true for everybody). It's about dynamic, badass fights, it's about watching athletes take huge risks and overcome adversity armed with mental and physical training.

I think the UFC and A Silva should abandon ideas about defending or obtaining any title and let him off the leash. Generally, it's a bad practice - basically nobody else should fight in three divisions. But he could and should. There are exceptions to every rule and Silva is the exception.

Fights you would not see A Silva dance around like a crazy child:
A Silva vs:

Junior Dos Santos
Shane Carwin
Shogun
Machida (I know)
Lesner
Rampage
Belfort
Wanderlei (I know)
Jon Jones
Frank Mir
K-Sos
Velasquez
Gilbert Yvel

@almost north - Nice. I was trying to think of a "how's taste" joke but just couldn't find the magic. You nailed it.

@Nut Puncher 9000

But.. but.. I don't wanna see an old man getting outclassed.. :<
I'll just don't buy the PPV if Randy gets the title shot, and wait for the knockout GIF to be released on da internet, yo. Yeah, that works for me.

Also, add Anderson to the list now that Machida doesn't hold the belt... but even he should have another fight at 205 to jump ahead of Randy.

The only person who should be angry about the possibility of Randy getting the title shot is Rampage... and he only has that right, should he beat Rashad.

Machida-just lost
Rampage-lost CLOSE decision to Forrest to lose the belt, impressive win over Rashad and you could make the argument... but he hasn't been super focused or trustworthy lately.
Rashad-just lost to machida, didn't look impressive against Thiago.
Thiago-just lost
Dean of Mean-lol
Lil Nog-not far behind, but Couture still gets it.
Iceman-lol
Rich-not established
Hendo-bolted
Jones- Closest behind Couture/Rampage, but still behind Couture. Needs to beat a contender after the Janitor to be considered.

Personally, I think Shogun v. Couture is just mean. Shogun is capable of killing Randy standing, but really... who else should be ahead in line. The only name you can justify is Rampage, and that's conditional on his upcoming fight.

If Rampage wins (and I expect him too), I think he should get the shot. If he loses, I think Randy should get it by default... and I think it has less to do with his name and more to do with how much of a cluster fuck the 205 weight class is.

"how tastes my oppressive totalitarianism?"

In Arlovski's accent, "Go ahead. Make anger. Throw tantrum. But remember, in Russia, door knocks YOU off of hinge."

And I like the TUF St Pete's Burrg idea. I would like to see the the guys try to trash the tuf house when it is made of bomb proof re-inforced concrete and there are 3 soldiers for each contestant monitoring propaganda and shooting off a finger if they utter any discouraging words about the party. And sleeping in on training days would earn you a month in the Gulag. Plus Russian girls are hot. Rampage would go on a.... a Rampage I guess. You have seen how he was with the Japanese chicks.

@ HotPotato

Maybe you should remind yourself of the difference between fans here in the potato nation and the rest of the average joe meatheads who order PPV. Where do you think the majority of PPV buys come from...Hardcores or meatheads? (if you need an example just look to the singular success of Kimbo, he isnt followed by the hardcores nearly as much as the average Joe fan...)

I understand what you are saying, I do. But Couture is a name not likely to be surpassed by any Evans/Page/Jones anytime soon, and with A Silva's shitty fights recently, Couture has just as much chance to get the call from the UFC. And that is taking nothing away from these other, perhaps more deserving, fighters.

I don't know if Shogun has the takedown defeaucenceauxs to keep it standing against Captain. I think Randy could possibly win that fight, but I agree he doesn't presently desuurve it.

@viva hate + 69 for using the Arum homosexual skinhead line on McMumblin.

Oh, yeah, and stopdrinkingpee's idea of Randy/Lil' Nog works, too. That fight makes sense. Too bad I don't think it would put butts in seats the way Randy/Shogun (or whoever has the strap) would.

Damn, I'd love to see either Couture or Jon Jones fight Machida next. Jon Jones vs Machida would be the craziest shit . . . Two guys with awesome and completely different styles. Machida/Couture would be fun but I think it would be a very bad night for Couture - Machida's stand-up base (TD defence) and clinch control might neutralize Couture's best weapon and he'd be left with his bouncy tick-tock boxing - KO, I'm afraid. Still, a pretty cool fight.

Running Couture to the front of the line makes business sense but it certainly isn't 'fair' by any stretch. I think a sharp Shogun would have answers for anything Couture would give him. You can't count Randy out of anything but I think Shogun would almost certainly knock him out.

All fights will take place on a refurbished rubbish barge moored in the harbor, and the training facilities are in an underground missile silo that still has enough background radiation to make anybody with metal fillings glow in the dark.

Oh shit, TUF St Petersburg would be the bomb. UFC finally signs Fedor but immediately puts him as a coach on TUF 15 against Lesner. The house is replaced by a massive communist-era cement block with no windows. Coaches challenge is a chess match in the east wing of the Winter Palace. Gorbachov and Putin fight on the finale show. Everything is covered in coal dust.

OK, Anderson Silva against Rua for the championship at LHW is a great idea. But only if Silva vacates the title at 185 and moves up. None of that bullshit that BJ pulled against GSP, when he went to WW to challenge while retaining the LW belt - that way the challenger has everything to win but nothing to lose. At all. I say fuck that.

Randy, get in line. If he thinks he's still got the sap to compete, then he doesn't get a free pass just on his name. If he doesn't have it, then that will come out in his fights as he earns a shot for the belt. You know, like everybody else.

I want to say that Frankllin will KO Chuck, but idaknow - ol' Rich hasn't been too dazzling lately, especially when you look at his last two fights. Nobody thinks he beat Wandy, btw. Chuck, being the counterpuncher that he is, may pull a rabbit out of his hat.

@ Kimbosbroad

Only if they coincide the raising of the statue with the TUF St. Petersburg finale. All losing contestants have to drag a 1200 ton boulder from Finland by hand on which to mount the statue.

And don't ask me exactly how people will get their money, all I know is that if there's money to be made the rich is gettin' paid.

@ Joedart

I see where you and many other people are coming from, but my opinion is different. I agree that the UFC needs to keep working at the sticklers that won't sanction the sport (Ontario, New York, the Vatican) but I think they should be more focused on their conquest of new territory. The bigger they get, the more clout they have. As long as they keep going the way they're going it will be inevitable that at some point we will see the UFC where ever it wants to be (such as Vancouver in June). I think it is unfortunate that Pal Dooley decided to have a meltdown in front of the Ontario legislature (somebody said they were sitting in the front row), but that can't be taken back. The only way to redeem it is to keep going full steam ahead- money talks, bullshit walks. If the pie gets big enough you can guarantee that everybody wants a (Kimbo's?) slice. I might not be able to give you winning fight picks every time, but one thing I am sure of is politicians are greedy ass sons of bitches.

Please, no.

1) I want Brock Lesnar, not Randy Couture, to be the first person to die in the Octagon.

2) The winner of Rampage/Rashad clearly deserves a title shot. Bumping Couture to the front of the line would be disrespectful to the fans and the sport.

3) I say give Little Nog either Randy or the winner of Liddell/Franklin as a #1 contender's fight, assuming Nog beats Brilz and Randy beats Toney. The old guys can't complain about that, and if they get past Nog, I'm on board for one last shot at glory.

Mr_Misanthropy... I agree that inconsistent judges and non entertaining fights hurt the sport. I think with the "suckerpunch" issue though it isn't so much about hurting the sport with the fans as it is political. Many of the politicians who help decide whether or not MMA will be permitted in a province or state are not necessarily fans looking for the quality of competition. With people trying to have MMA legalized in many areas (not just the UFC) it's in everyones best interest for any MMA representation to act as professional as possible and not give the politicians any ammo or reason to not support MMA, ie. an injury due to basically assault after the match.

@Nut Puncher 9000

Judging by the recent PPV numbers with Randy in the main event you can't really call him a "superstar" in my opinion, and I don't see those "mad PPV buys" you're talking about happening either. People want to see young fighters in their prime fighting, and as much as Randy claims he's ever still improving, he's NOT who today's fans wants to see fight Rua.

G Funk.... read that last bit again.... the article is not giving Franklin props, it's saying giving Couture a shot is like giving Franklin a shot... based on past success.

Would LOVE to see shogun knock him out.

And the steady stream of easy contenders begins for Dana's favorite! SHOGUN!

Well I might be okay with giving Couture a title shot as long as there is an ultimatum:

If he loses, he will never grace the octagon ever again.

If he wins, the UFC will erect a nude statue of him strangling a bear in St. Petersberg, Russia.

Its funny how many people think that A Silva should jump right in there but then state that they think Randy has no business even being in line...

Just because you are a lower division beast doesnt mean you are a title contender in the next weight division up. Just ask BJ Penn.

The UFC NEEDS to get Couture in the ring while they can still capitalize on his draw as a superstar. Should he win...he will no question retire as champion. (Which is his goal in pushing for Rua imo)

Should he lose, they give Rua a notch on his belt and continue on to Rampage or Evans after collecting mad PPV buys.

Deserving a title shot and deserving respect as a UFC legend are different things but they can lead to the same outcome. Especially when there is a big pile of money to be had.

@Mr_Misanthropy

Well said.


And I Lol'd at Kimbosbride.

You said "casual fans".....

HOW DARE YOU!?!?!?!?!?!

I'm making my outraged face. You cant see it but I'm doing it as hard as I can.

ReX13 Says:
Mon, 05/10/2010 - 13:07
It's hard not be a fan of Captain America. It's also very hard to argue that he deserves this title shot now.
___________________________________________________________________

Well said.

My post is TTTTHHHHIIIIIISSSS big.....

@Kimbosbride (sorr, I can't resist the name)

Not really. I may have been suggesting it, but more for jokes. I try not to think such terrible thoughts because it would send my rickety insubstantial and pathetic life crashing down around me in little splinters.

But... since there were so many people talking about how bad Daley's Suckerpunch (tm) was for the sport I have to say: in my opinion poor officiating and bad judging decisions are much worse for the sport, as are boring ass lay and pray fights. I love a good grappling match, don't get me wrong, I'll even watch ADCC or college or Olympic wrestling when you can find it (i'll even watch Sumo sometimes). I think the worst thing you can do for the sport is not provide exciting fights and not have consistent judging and reffing. I think it helps a lot to keep things in some kind of meaningful order for title contention as well. These things make it accessible to casual fans. The number ! most important thing is to provide solid action. Everybody understands that. I think of how I feel when I try to watch boxing these days and that is the opposite of how I feel when say, Kid Yamamoto runs across the ring and destroys a guy with one flying knee. I think if they don't get the bad reffing/ bad judging straightened out they are going to start losing new fans, people that like to pick favorites and jump on band wagons and don't have a lot invested in the sport. One or two cheap losses for "their" fighter and they become easily disenfranchised. People don't necessarily understand the finer points of the game, but (nearly) everybody can tell when things get fishy.

If Rashad beats Rampage he still doesn't deserve a shot at the title.

As for this proposed fight? Booooooooooo hissssssssss.

Randy STOLE a win from Vera (Vera won that fight, don't kid yourself) and beat up a Coleman who wouldn't be able to beat a top 20 guy in the division. Two wins to be super proud of for sure.

Couture would not last as long as Machida did against Shogun.

Rich just got KO'd and lost two out of his last three dumbass!!! Randy's on a two fight win streak.

Which retard wrote this article???

Wouldn't it be funny if Toney mowed through everyone?

Does Randy really deserve a title shot after only beating an awful looking Mark Coleman and Chuck Liddell?

Don't bitch, just watch, or not.

WAR Toney. But if Shogun-Couture does happen, its gonna save me a lot of money. About 55 a month...

@Harry sack-nicely done, although could have been a bit more subtle what with the caps and all. Still kudos for bein the first to point out the names meaning. Btw, I am really Blackthought and I am really all up in ur mind

@ mrussel

Why do you keep playing with the grammar nazis? They get off on you responding. Boot em for violating guy code by arguing semantics outside of against woman. They are as pathetic as those who can't count money that is not faced. Toss em a lithium and move on.

imo, there is a pretty long list men who deserve a shot at lhw title:
rampage - has not lost since losing the title
rashad - has not lost since losing the title
a. silva - self explanatory
lil nog - dominant performances
bones - he has to be in line before randy
frankin - has been trying to get a lhw title shot for 2 years
liddell - the last man to beat randy at 205

as for machida, there will be plenty of losers to match him up with in the next 6-10 weeks. machida vs couture(no matter the outcome of the toney fight) would be a headliner for the ufc.

however, the natural should have to beat at least 2 of these mean to earn a lhw title shot...

@ Mr_Misanthropy

I agree with you on pretty much all counts. But I must ask, are you saying the Couture-Vera decision was fixed?

I call RASCISM! Jon Jones, Rashad Evans or Rampage Jackson should get their shot at the title first.

@joedirt

UfC presents Couture-Liddell 4: Earlybird Special

Am I the only one thinking Shields vs Silva?
I'm a captain america fan but I would like to see him retire... before he becomes Liddell. I can see it now.... Couture vs Liddell 4.... New sponsor Country Kitchen Buffett... "Randy wheels his chair to the center of the octagon! Lidell circling with his walker looking confused and wondering where he is....."

@Rex

No one should get a shot before the winner of Rampage vs. Evans. I think Silva could be put in the mix by taking out a top tier fighter during that UFC and then fights whoever has the belt which could very likely still be Shogun.

I always thought Paulo Filho was crazy, but now I think he may be on to something. Dana and the Fertittas are cooking the sports books. That Vera decision was no accident, and Mark Coleman threw the fight because he'd rather be hanging out with his family. This is the most shameful crock of shit I've heard from the UFC. Obviously, there are many more deserving contenders (nearly everyone) and the only person of note Couture "beat" was the stolen Vera decision. What the fuck does fighting James Toney, even if he is the HW boxing kingpin, have to do with any kind of title contention? The dude has never fought in MMA so that makes him a prospect in my book. I hope this doesn't happen because I'm getting sick of watching the UFC play favorites. They have like eight guys that can do no wrong and they treat nearly everybody else like domesticated food stock. Ihope if they throw couture in with Shogun he gets his career ended for taking the easy road to the belt.

I like Griffin Machida, but that has Machida win all over it. Bad fight for griffin, but I guess they all are.

If Toney knocks out Couture then he needs to retire right there. But then wtf do you do with J.T. fuck...

If he does we will never hear the end of it from the journalistic corpse worms feasting upon the rotted carcass of professional boxing.

Sure, give the fight to randy, he needs a fuckin wakeup call.
I think toneys gonna knock out couture though.

Can someone please explain to me why Griffin is still taken seriously as a top level fighter after the Anderson execution?

@Rex13


Yeah I forgot LilNog is gettin up there in years.

Also, Machida should fight Griffin. Timing works out, and its one of the few LHW's available in about 4 months.

I would hands down throw my money on a Shogun Anderson fight, but after what Anderson did last fight he doesn't deserve it. So he fights Sonnen, and if he wins challenges for the 205 belt whoever is the champion. Shogun fights winner of Rampage and Rashad. Everyone else, Jones lil Nog, Franklin, Liddel Bader whoever are all one fight looking in. Except Randy because he only has so much time left. He may not deserve but Shogun Couture has a win for Coture written all over it, and I would pay to see it.

I think the far more difficult question is who does Machida face? I can't think of anyone that just comes to mind...

In his defeunceu Shogun's manager is in the business of getting his fighter wins.....

Haha, hold him up against defence.

I thought "defence" would have more u's in it.

Not sure how well Shogun would defend against Couture's cage-stalling tactics. He gassed out pretty quick against Forrest...

Wow the LHW title picture is a fucking mess man....Interesting question that I haven't seen asked....Where does Machida go from here? There has to be a fight that makes sense right now out of all these credible contenders.

@beatingu
"Randy doesn't deserve the title shot, he sells PPV's like no other fighter on the planted because age groups from 35-65 are living vicariously though him....."

No.
GSP, Lesnar, B.J. Penn sell ppv's like no other, Couture was once a PPV monster but take a look at the recent buyrates for cards that he is headlining and you will see that is not longer the case.
With the 205 division as competitive as it is, I would give the fans what they really need and that it Lil' Nog v. Shogun, this is the fight that will really unite new mma fans and hardcore fans alike.

Mike, don't get defencive, they're just trying to translate your northern mumbo-jumbo...

I think that this is genius on Zuffa's part. Of course Randy doesn't "deserve" a title shot, but I'll watch this . Besides, if you don't give him a shot now....he won't be around after the division gets cleared out.

steampunk_22>>Agreed almost 100%, except i don't see Dana slowing up Li'l Nog. He's what, 34? I'd think he's very much in the mix.

***

What does everyone think of an immediate Anderson Silva - Mauricio Rua matchup? I'd think that would be fair. And AWESOME.

 Seriously?defense |di?fens; ?d??fens| ( Brit. defence)noun1 the action of defending from or resisting attack : they relied on missiles for the country's defense | she came to the defense of the eccentric professor.• attempted justification or vindication of something : he spoke in defense of a disciplined approach.We use the queen's English here, but I actually mistyped the title...

Is "defence" some kind of new octagon related spelling of the word or is that how they do it north of the border?

or maybe...

Randy Couture might me able to beat Rua if he can get his hands on him and hold him up against defence.

Winner of Jackson/Evans for first shot.

Winner of Liddell/Franklin fights winner of Toney/Couture
Winner of Silva/Boetsch fights winner of Jones/Mutyeshenko

Dana White has gone on record saying Jones will not get a shot until sometime next year at least. Which means look for him to get a couple of tune-up fights, the Mutyeshenko one being the first. He should also be able to handle the winner of Silva/Boetsch, which has him end up in a number one contender match roughly a year from now, relatively unscathed. Unless my man The Janitor comes through!

Liddell/Frankling and Toney/Couture makes sense to me as well. Its basically the same fight. Couture has a good shot at winning both matchups, and if Liddell and Toney both lose look for them to fight each other in a KO Of The Night contest.

Lil Nog is in the mix as well but I dont see Dana White hurting putting him up against another contender just yet, he's going to get the Jones treatment as well tune-up fights until next year.

IMHO.

Tariq - I think Rua should begin his ?uest by facing Rampage (after Rampage shows Rashad how they really throw hands) - then He should take it back to his ROOTS by facing fellow brazillian Anderson Silva. The winner should then probably face Jon Jones so he can get into the ACT TOO, no? What sayest thou?

You spell "defense" like a Canadian... Oh wait...

Couture hasn't earned another shot.

Rashad will likely tool B.A. Baracus.

Bones will continue to rise in the rankings just like his opponents insurance premiums begin to rise...

Franklin will KO Liddell just like everyone else has.

Anderson Silva will move to LHW and make some exciting fights because he won't be able to dance around some of those guys.

It's hard not be a fan of Captain America. It's also very hard to argue that he deserves this title shot now.

Since when has the UFC based their title fights on who deserves it???

I'd watch the fight, too, but i'm saying a lot of guys deserve it more. What about Bones Jones vs. Randy for the next crack at Rua? They both beat Vera in the past year. Why not?

@ "Beatingu"

"Randy doesn't deserve the title shot, he sells PPV's like no other fighter on the planted because age groups from 35-65 are living vicariously though him....."

Uh....yes, that would be me.

I think he SHOULD be relatively unscathed by the Toney fight...I'm with you Jimbonics...Maybe thats because I have been watching since before TUF and have a sense of history

This has "big payday" written all over it.

Would Rua vs Coture be huge? You bet.

Should it happen? NO WAY!

I agree. Get in line Randy.

It's clear that the UFC is trying to finish up Randy's contract as soon as possible. Also, I'm sure Randy is doing his best to make up for lost time. I don't see Randy fighting much, if not at all, past 2011.

Frankly, I'd love to see Rampage vs Shogun. Another PRIDE FC throwback kinda fight!

Man, Dana (who talks a lot of bull) said recently that he would still consider putting on fights under the PRIDE brand. If they did Rampage vs Shogun at the Saitama Super Arena under PRIDE rules (stomps, knees on the ground, soccer kicks), it would be the biggest UFC fight evah (Baroni-ism)!

I'd fly to Japan to see that fight.

It's not that he's jumping because of who he is, he's jumping because he doesn't have many fights left in him.

If he fights Shogun and loses, expect retirement. If, on the other hand, he wins, it will produce a FUCKTON of publicity for the UFC and MMA.

I, for one, would absolutely love to see this fight.

Couture is a bum, and as the article points out, who has he beat as of late that is worthy of him earning a title shot? Randy beating Lights Out wouldn't earn him one either. The name "couture" doesn't earn a title shot in itself.

AND if it does come down to Couture vs Rua, and if Couture somehow miraciously wins, how many title defenses does that guy have in him at his age? I could just picture a repeat of the crap he pulled shortly after he beat Sylvia for the title.

And oh ya... first! I think....

But if James Toney wins does he get the title shot? Or does he have to face the winner of Evans vs. Jackson to increase the black on black crime?

I asked my close friend Bob Arum what he thinks of Toney’s chances against Couture? He tweeted me back that he has disowned Toney now that he is a skinhead homosexual.

Shogun is at my Gym in Toronto tonight and tomorrow, i get a 3.5 hour seminar with him tomorrow so excited! Anyway, next opponent should be the winner of Rashad vs Rampage, and if Bones takes another one out, give him the winner of that fight. Problem is, even though we all know Randy doesn't deserve the title shot, he sells PPV's like no other fighter on the planted because age groups from 35-65 are living vicariously though him.....

At first glance I'd say "RIP Randy". But seeing as how The Natural pulls rabbits out of his hat like no other, I'm thinking he's gonna be the new champion at 205..

Again, I mean.

Couture will get ko'd for sure...

Completely agree, no way winner of Jackson v Evans shouldn't get the shot before handy. And lol at Franklin v rua I would pay to see that, though shogun might have to agree to get a heart transplant during the training camp in order for ace to sign the contract