Where Do the Lightheavies Go From Here?
By Josh Stein on May 24, 2009
There’s no doubt, after tonight, that we are headed into a new era in the lightheavyweight division.
Lyoto Machida, even a tough division, seems like a substantial champion who could hold the belt for a long time. The more I walk through potential matchups with future contenders, the more I think that there has yet to emerge someone in the weight class prepared, on a technical level, to deal with Machida’s standup.
If Machida remains a substantial, consistent champion in the division, I think we can all be happier that his standup shows the potential to finish, and that we’re not seeing the two rounds that have been added to his bout length, at least not yet.
The fact of the matter is that, like any significant title fight (and I qualify the statement with “significant” so that we can overlook bouts like Silva vs. Leites), this will have an impact on the standing within the division and almost certainly dictates the future matchups for the top guys in the division.
As a result of this title fight we’re going to see a few new storylines unfold in the division.
There’s speculation that Machida, as a result of winning the belt, will coach the Ultimate Fighter opposite Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. That may very well happen, but we may also see the UFC attempt to capitalize on the already clear tension between Jackson and the no-longer-undefeated Rashad Evans, and put Jackson and Evans on the show.
If that happens, I think it’s very possible for the UFC to start talking about the winner of Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin receiving a title shot. While Griffin, who held the lightheavyweight title before being defeated by Evans, has not stepped into the Octagon since that loss, a win over a legitimate and seemingly untouchable fighter like Anderson Silva would at least give the UFC some standing to call him a title contender.
Silva, on the other hand, has only had one fight at lightheavyweight, the bout with Forrest would make it two. Still, let’s not forget that Silva’s first title fight immediately followed his UFC debut. Anderson, also, is the only top fighter in the division who has not yet been beaten in the UFC. His streak of 9-0 since entering the Octagon has been well discussed, and his highlight reel (should he defeat Griffin and maintain his respectability at 205, as well as his immaculate image in the sport’s standings) would make him well qualified and certainly an easily marketed opponent for Machida.
Whether the UFC decides to make Jackson’s title fight a priority, or make Silva vs. Griffin an immediate top contenders match, allowing Evans (who would probably make a more interesting and appealing TUF coach, especially opposite the ever charismatic Rampage) to step up and fight the howling, chain wearing slam artist, we should be in for continued excitement which is still one of the most interesting divisions in the UFC, as well as one of the most competitive.
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Nice post Josh. I see the winner of Griffin-Silva getting a shot at Machida like you say and the UFC doing the Jackson vs. Evans deal on TUF (so far makes the most sense) winner gets a title shot. The MW division needs to straighten out and Silva can be used at LHW especially for a title shot effectively. Silva then would probably fight Wanderlai for a title shot if he beats Franklin. But Machida is on fire now and could hold that belt for a while.
Bill, I agree. I want to see Silva vs. Maia, but I think that the UFC knows that Silva vs. Lyoto would be huge if Anderson wins. And, of course, Forrest vs. Lyoto would be a huge draw too.
I agree that Silva vs. Silva is very likely if Wanderlei beats Rich Franklin.
Really, I think this has more to do with the publicity the UFC can get from Rampage vs. Evans. I did a radio show on Friday and everyone seemed so sure that Rampage was going to get a title shot. I don’t think that’s what’s going to happen. He was a solid TUF coach, and I think that Rashad (what limited charisma he has) would make for an interesting season.
i would love to see machida/silva, but both fighers have said that they will never fight each other. they are very good friends and train together. i still think rampage gets the next shot, but see him having about as much a chance as what rashad did, which aint much. can’t see forrest beating him either. actually, i would love to see machida/fedor at a catchweight of 215. that would be awesome.
I would like to see Machida and Rampage coach a Brazil v USA team for the next TUF show.
Nolan, that might be interesting. I just don’t think that Machida will be a very charismatic TUF coach, and I think he’s going to have a hard time teaching his game, given that it’s very different than one most guys know.
Brent, I think that the UFC could make a Silva vs. Machida fight happen under the right circumstances. I agree that Fedor vs. Machida might be fun. I think, though, that post-Fedor vs. Barnett, people may talk more about Fedor entering the heavyweight division to fight the winner of Lesnar vs. Mir, just because we’ll have a real “undisputed” UFC heavyweight champion.
It will not happen, my fighters will not fight each other. I will not pick one to train over the other.
Yea I agree with Ed. Anderson had said before Machida even won the belt that he considered the 205lb. belt Machida’s and he had no interest in fighting for it.
Did you see the post-fight press conference? I thought given the responses from Dana and then from Machida about coaching on TUF that Machida would be coaching. While Machida didn’t say as much his short answer to the question about coaching on TUF left me with the impression he was worried about saying something wrong. Especially since he deflected the question back to Dana saying it was up to the boss. So my money is on Machida and Rampage definitely coaching the next season of TUF. Dana said filming begins at the start of June and a media day will be on June 2 to reveal all necessary information.
Not to mention several times in the post-fight press conference the other night Dana confirmed Rampage would be getting the next title shot.
Lets not forget that Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva are great friends and they have sayd the rhey would never fight each other, a great fight would be Lyoto against Rampage or Forest, and another great fight would be Silva vs Silva
Anderson Silva vs. Lyoto Machida is dead, period. Just like Evans vs. Jardine is dead, besides they already fought in TUF2 and it was a sanctioned fight.
Should Griffin upset Silva at 205, I don’t think he should get a title shot at all, besides there’s a guy named Shogun that would love a rematch. A rematch against Jardine may prove interesting.
Rampage vs Machida sounds better.
Team Evans vs Team Jackson works better for TUF. Former TUF winner vs the ever-funny-awkward Quinton Jackson. Evans has great impersonations. Lyoto Machida on a American television program, I don’t know about that. He’s a great fighter, very humble dude but he’s not a made-for-television personality.
Fedor in the UFC? Stop trying to beat a dead horse.
Coming off the victory against Liddell, Shogun vs Lyoto would be cool altough they’re cordial friends.
Where do the LightHeavies go from here?
Good question, remember the current champion is the same guy Joe Silva could not find opponents for at all. Many fighters thought he was boring (Griffin, Rampage, Franklin) and mentioned that they would really need time to prepare for his style. So I don’t expect Brandon Vera to step up to the plate any time soon.
So we will see.
cool, ed soares. what’s up. it’s a revolving door of lhw champs and it will stop with machida for a long time.