Originally Posted by daveyboy

The HW division has made many strides in the last year. But they currently still have one major problem. Right now there isnt a single HW fighter on the roster that the UFC can sell for a title match with Randy. If Fedor doesnt sign, i really dont know where they are going to turn for the next title shot. Lets go through the list of top HW's, in no particular order:


Mirko Cro Cop: just lost two consecutive matches and has a long way to go before ever seeing a title shot.

Gabriel Gonzaga: Just had his shot and lost to Randy, now must win a few matches to get back in the picture.

Tim Sylvia: lost his title to Randy and hasnt fought since. needs at least two impressive victorys to be considered for another shot.

Andrei Arlovski: Has looked unipressive in his last two matches, however both were wins. Dana dosnt think he deserves a title shot, plus he is currently in a contract dispute and may not even sign with the UFC. Probably the best choice for a title match due to his popularity among fans.

Fabricio Werdum: Just lost a boring match against Arlovski. So obviously no title matches in the near future. must work his way back up.

Cheick Kongo: Coming off a impressive victorys over Cro Cop and Assuerio Silva while being servicable on the ground. It doesnt help that he got owned on the ground and lost to Carmelo Marrero previously. what makes that loss worse it Marrero then goes and loses badly to Gonzaga and Wilson Gouveia. Probably needs another win but the UFC could sell him as the #1 contender if they wanted to.

Brandon Vera: Been out of action for over a year. Needs an impressive victory over Sylvia to even be considered. Only other notable victory is over Frank Mir(post leg injury). Perhaps he will be the future HW champion but he is not ready right now.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: Most MMA fans will say that hes the obvious choice. However it'll be a hard sell to the majority of UFC fans. To the UFC audience he's the guy that got knocked out by Heath Herring(who then allowed him to stand up instead of finishing him). His resume suggests he deserves a title shot but his last match suggests he needs an impressive win against a top tier UFC fighter before getting a title shot.


I might be missing someone but thats basically the top heavyweights currently in the UFC. Let's assume Fedor is not coming to the UFC. The UFC has said they want Randy to defend the title on Superbowl weekend. So who do you think will get the title shot?

Originally Posted by daveyboy

Brandon Vera: Been out of action for over a year. Needs an impressive victory over Sylvia to even be considered. Only other notable victory is over Frank Mir(post leg injury). Perhaps he will be the future HW champion but he is not ready right now.

Originally Posted by baphamet

i disagree, if Vera wins he is the top contender....the very reason he is fighting sylvia is because he was supposed get a title shot before he had contract disputes.

he does not need to do anything but win to get his shot, he has already proved he deserves it.

Originally Posted by GMW

I wish it was more like baseball, where they don't need to "sell" it to the audience. Whoever earns the shot gets it, plain and simple.

Originally Posted by wallysworld191

that could be disputed because he earned a title shot against a ufc heavy weight division that had a different face. not to mention his time out of the ring.