The Light Heavyweight picture...

In my mind...

Rua vs. Evans in the fall for the title.

Couture vs. Nogueira for the next title shot, shortly after Couture destroys Toney, hopefully the fall or early winter.

Quinton Jackson rematches Forrest Griffin in the fall, while Machida vs. Diabate around the same time. The winners of these two fights square off for a title shot?

What to do with Jon Jones, Ryan Bader and Phil Davis? The winner of Franklin/Liddell, Thiago Silva, or maybe Ricardo Arona. Give Davis the winner of Bonnar/Soszynski maybe.

I can't really see Diabete being thrown into the title mix so soon.

rampage vs machida $$$$$$$

I say have Diabete fight Vera

No need to mention Diabete and tittle this soon, he held his hands chest lvl most of that fight, cane almost ko'd him

Honestly, I see Quinton/Forrest and Machida/Diabate, if they happen, as warm-up fights. I can't imagine Machida losing and if Forrest beats Rampage again, then he will have earned a shot at a title shot. It's not so much about Diabate being great or anything, just an interesting match-up for Machida if he can avoid the takedown.

What has Diabate done to deserve a Machida caliber match?

If the UFC wanted to throw The Snake in with a big fight like Machida, then his Cane fight would have been live on the pay per view.

Mauricio Rua vs Rashad Evans
Lyoto Machida vs Forrest Griffin
Quinton Jackson vs Lil Nog
Jon Jones vs Chuck Liddell/Rich Franklin winner
Randy Couture vs Thiago Silva

Jason Brilz is higher up in the rankings than Snake. Win or lose, that was a spirited and well rounded performance. He won't be surprising any other contenders but I think he has earned a place in this discussion if Jon Jones, Thiago Silva or Ryan Bader have.

Seems like fall has Snake vs Brilz written all over it. That's kind of what has been happening with these mid level guys when two of them win on a card, they get a matchup down the line, Mittrione vs Beltran style.

That is a good fight too, and seems logical, but I think I am not alone in wanting to see Brilz face another name for his next opponent.

boomer sooner wrote:

In my mind...

Rua vs. Evans in the fall for the title.

1. Couture vs. Nogueira for the next title shot, shortly after Couture destroys Toney, hopefully the fall or early winter.

2. Quinton Jackson rematches Forrest Griffin in the fall, while Machida vs. Diabate around the same time. The winners of these two fights square off for a title shot?

3. What to do with Jon Jones, Ryan Bader and Phil Davis? The winner of Franklin/Liddell, Thiago Silva, or maybe Ricardo Arona. Give Davis the winner of Bonnar/Soszynski maybe.

1. Please no more Randy for a title shot discussions.

2. Why not skip all that and just make Rampage vs Machida. What about Lil Nog vs Machida?

3. I say switch these guys over into the fast lane.

GolbeZ wrote:

What about Lil Nog vs Machida?

Blackhouse teammates bro they wouldn't fight each other.

MMAEYES wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

What about Lil Nog vs Machida?

Blackhouse teammates bro they wouldn't fight each other.

Nope. Machida already said he would fight him...

GolbeZ wrote:

MMAEYES wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

What about Lil Nog vs Machida?

Blackhouse teammates bro they wouldn't fight each other.

Nope. Machida already said he would fight him...

Really? Didn't see that.

MMAEYES wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

MMAEYES wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

What about Lil Nog vs Machida?

Blackhouse teammates bro they wouldn't fight each other.

Nope. Machida already said he would fight him...

Really? Didn't see that.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/389041-ufc-113-lyoto-machida-would-fight-lil-nog-but-not-anderson-silva

there was video of it but this is what I found quickly.

GolbeZ wrote:

MMAEYES wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

MMAEYES wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

What about Lil Nog vs Machida?

Blackhouse teammates bro they wouldn't fight each other.

Nope. Machida already said he would fight him...

Really? Didn't see that.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/389041-ufc-113-lyoto-machida-would-fight-lil-nog-but-not-anderson-silva

there was video of it but this is what I found quickly.

Sweet

Ali_1748 wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

MMAEYES wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

MMAEYES wrote:

GolbeZ wrote:

What about Lil Nog vs Machida?

Blackhouse teammates bro they wouldn't fight each other.

Nope. Machida already said he would fight him...

Really? Didn't see that.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/389041-ufc-113-lyoto-machida-would-fight-lil-nog-but-not-anderson-silva

there was video of it but this is what I found quickly.

Sweet

I can break news sometimes

The line on that was they'd only fight for the title.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

The line on that was they'd only fight for the title.

And this fight wouldn't be for the title? Assuming that this fight would most definitely get the next shot.

I guess maybe Machida should fall a little further down and not get Lil Nog from the Jump.. but it would be a good match to try and convince them to fight, they would have to throw the first contender status at it.

GolbeZ wrote:

I guess maybe Machida should fall a little further down and not get Lil Nog from the Jump.. but it would be a good match to try and convince them to fight, they would have to throw the first contender status at it.

Rashad only had to win 1(Thiago) fight before getting a #1 contender fight. I don't see why Machida can't do the same.

You don't go from being in the middle of the undercard to title contender fights overnight. Diabetes is going to have to take a couple more mid level shots before he gets an upper level fight. The last time he fought real talent, he was getting his head kicked in if memory serves...

LikesToFightGuy wrote:

You don't go from being in the middle of the undercard to title contender fights overnight. Diabetes is going to have to take a couple more mid level shots before he gets an upper level fight. The last time he fought real talent, he was getting his head kicked in if memory serves...

I think Snake vs Vera would be pretty good.