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?

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.

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Credit to ThaMuffinMan

bbjd7

Nogueira and Sylvia are defiantly at the front of the line and I disagree about Sylvia needing two wins to get a title shot I think if he beats Vera at 77 and no one else does anything impressive he more than deserves a shot the man defended the title twice. Lost a decision to Couture with a horrible back that needed surgery I don't see why he wouldn't deserve another shot.

Damone

Well, it'd sell because of Randy, so they can pretty much match him up with anybody. Have Randy talk about how great his opponent is, show highlights, and then have Rogan say stuff like "He has the best facial hair in all of MMA."

They could stick Nogueira, Kongo, Justin Eilers, Paul Varelans, Keith Hackney, Greg Stott, whoever, doesn't matter, the fight will sell because it's Randy Couture.

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bbjd7

Hey Damone You know what would really sell Randy Couture vs GIANT SILVA the true Pride Champion. Fedor can't hold Silva jock strap.

Silva vs Couture the for the true HW champion of World.

DropKick

True. Maybe a Keith Hackney Vs. Paul Varelans #1 contender match? I know I'd be watching that. Sweat pants vs. sweat pants.

IMO, either Nog or Sylvia. If Sylvia beats Vera I think he'd deserve it the most.

They could also sell Kongo Vs. AA for a number 1 contender spot.

AnMMAFan

Wow Keith Hackney, there's a name I haven't heard in awhile. I think I remember him wailing on a 600 lb sumo wrestler with about 500 punches, won the fight and broke his hand and was unable to continue in the multi-fight elimination tourney. Those were the days...

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"The fight only stops when Big John says so." - Anderson Silva

DropKick

Keith Hackney loved punching dudes in the nuts. He must have trained Kongo for the CC fight.

AnMMAFan

That is probably true

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"The fight only stops when Big John says so." - Anderson Silva

N1™

if he deserves a title shot then he should get it. i think if the ufc started to pick contenders based on how well KNOWN they are and not on their mma performances then i think its down hill from here. although i havent seen it happen yet.

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