Any chance Machida could be Chucks next fight?
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Any chance Machida could be Chucks next fight?
Playground_Samurai
2/21/07 4:53:06PM
This possibility could be completely rediculous to most of you, but I figured i'd ask anyways for the sake of conversation.
Dana pretty much said that Chucks next fight would not be against any of the TUF guys and we're all pretty sure Tito and Babalu will not be getting another shot anytime soon due to both of them having lost twice to chuck already. He also confirmed that both Chuck and Rampage will each have one more fight before they fight each other.
So the question everybody is asking right now is who is next for Chuck?
Now unless they bring a fighter from pride over that they could instantly validate having a title shot (Wanderlei, Shogun, Lil Nog) that doesn't leave many options. Out of all the UFC LHW fighters that Dana didn't mention would not be next for the title shot, Machida seems to be the only one with the potential. Sure, he has only one fight in the UFC and it was against a relative can in Hogar but he does have some impressive wins on his record(Franklin, BJ, etc.). Granted, Franklin and BJ are not natural LHW's but Franklin can fight at LHW and they are both great P4P fighters.
If UFC starts promoting Machida and let the fans know who he is, do you think they could sell this match? Do you think they would want to? Any other opinions?
Dana pretty much said that Chucks next fight would not be against any of the TUF guys and we're all pretty sure Tito and Babalu will not be getting another shot anytime soon due to both of them having lost twice to chuck already. He also confirmed that both Chuck and Rampage will each have one more fight before they fight each other.
So the question everybody is asking right now is who is next for Chuck?
Now unless they bring a fighter from pride over that they could instantly validate having a title shot (Wanderlei, Shogun, Lil Nog) that doesn't leave many options. Out of all the UFC LHW fighters that Dana didn't mention would not be next for the title shot, Machida seems to be the only one with the potential. Sure, he has only one fight in the UFC and it was against a relative can in Hogar but he does have some impressive wins on his record(Franklin, BJ, etc.). Granted, Franklin and BJ are not natural LHW's but Franklin can fight at LHW and they are both great P4P fighters.
If UFC starts promoting Machida and let the fans know who he is, do you think they could sell this match? Do you think they would want to? Any other opinions?
fedorwins1
2/21/07 4:55:53PM
Machida will not fight Chuck yet, he has one fight in the UFC and it was an undercard match. He will def. become a force in the LHW div. tho. and soon will be talked about fighting Chuck, but not yet.
waylon_o
2/21/07 4:57:27PM
They have to build him up first...the casual MMA fan has never heard of him. That was bullshit putting him on the undercard of the last payperview. All real fans who know what's going on wanted to see that fight.
THE_AXE_MURDERER
2/21/07 4:58:58PM
I wish Machida would fight Chuck then beat him.
Playground_Samurai
2/21/07 5:10:11PM
Posted by fedorwins1
Machida will not fight Chuck yet, he has one fight in the UFC and it was an undercard match. He will def. become a force in the LHW div. tho. and soon will be talked about fighting Chuck, but not yet.
Alright. So if it's not any of the TUF guys and nobody is brought over from pride, who will it be?
Really, with the right amount of marketing the UFC can build up a fighter in no time flat. Talk about Machida as highly as they did CC and mention his accomplishments and I think it could be a possibility.
I personally don't think this will happen. With all the talk of Dana picking up contracts after they're up with pride, i'm assuming it's gonna be somebody from there. But if it isn't, i don't see any other options.
fedorwins1
2/21/07 5:11:58PM
Dang idk maybe he will move up to HW?
keith-hackney1
2/21/07 5:13:26PM
He should fight horn again, he was the only guy to test chuck at his best. Or i'd like to matt lindland come back to the ufc and fight chuck !!!
THE_AXE_MURDERER
2/21/07 5:18:37PM
Well Chuck is getting one warm up fight then he is fighting Rampage so whoever Chuck fights it shouldnt be a contest.
fedorwins1
2/21/07 5:19:17PM
Maybe Brandon Vera will move down to LHW and fight him, I wanna see Brandon Vera get KTFO
hippysmacker
2/21/07 5:22:43PM
I highly doubt it.
fedorwins1
2/21/07 5:25:41PM
Posted by hippysmacker
I highly doubt it.
Well I can't see anyone else he would fight the only people who are worthy are Jardine, Rashad, Griffin, Rampage, apparently none of them are fighting Chuck next so who would it be?
hippysmacker
2/22/07 12:12:17AM
Wandy or someone else from outside the UFC( /Lil Nog/Shogun), Wandy being the only one I could see them selling to the casual fan. As for Dana's comments of Chck's next fight not being Rampage or any of the TUF'ers, it could just be a negotiating ploy since Rampages contract comes up soon. The only other outside fighter besides those listed I could think of them being able to sell is Bas Rutten. The could play up the retired a HVYweight champ of the UFC angle, and they've got footage of him from the UFC and the WFA, However, I think Bas is retired. Personally I think it's a Rampage negotiating ploy out of all of the above, but I hope it's Wandy.That's all I can think of.
Svartorm
2/22/07 12:55:04AM
Yeah, its either got to be a big name from another org that they bought up, or a legend thats instantly marketable. Only problem is is that I can't think of a legend for him to fight. Royce is too light, Shamrock and Bas are retired, Severn is too old and big, Frye and Goodridge are too big. Anyone else from the old school would just be a can and have zero recognition to anyone except the hardcore fans.
hippysmacker: "All right! Harold Howard is back!!!"
hippysmacker: "All right! Harold Howard is back!!!"
Manfred
2/22/07 1:41:44AM
I think the thread starter might be right. Who else could it be? Anyone coming over from PRIDE will have a build -up fight before a title shot. (Except Wandy)
I realize Machida was only on a dark match, but Chuck's going to sell no matter what. And I think Dana would sacrifice mediocre PPV numbers to keep Chuck active
I realize Machida was only on a dark match, but Chuck's going to sell no matter what. And I think Dana would sacrifice mediocre PPV numbers to keep Chuck active
Svartorm
2/22/07 1:56:40AM
You know who I just thought of that would rule? Igor Vochancyn. He doesn't seem to be fighting for anyone, and if they could get his highlight reel, he'd be instantly appriciated in the UFC because hes a slugger. It would probably make for a good fight too if Igor is still training.
madmarck
2/22/07 8:43:09AM
Posted by fedorwins1
Machida will not fight Chuck yet, he has one fight in the UFC and it was an undercard match. He will def. become a force in the LHW div. tho. and soon will be talked about fighting Chuck, but not yet.
Yeah Nobody will pay to see Chuck Liddell fight some Random guy. A fighter doesnt get a title shot in the UFC if his fights have never been scene.
Think about it. Who would you rather watch. Two guys who you know about or Chuck Liddell fighting some random guy who he is probably gonna KO.
If Lyoto does get some airtime and people learn who he is then there is a pretty decent chance that he will get a title shot. You'd think the UFC would want to play up the fact that he beat Bonnar, Frankin, and White.
Stickan
2/22/07 9:13:08AM
Machida hasn't got a very marketable personality, he doesn't speak english and almost nobody has seen him fight. They also don't have a lot of footage on him to make a decent HL.
Bas Rutten is definately retired. He seemed very sure when he said that on beatdown and he had problems with both his knee and his back. Who wants to fight Chuck Liddell in that condition.
It should be a TUFer... anything else just doesn't make sense. I don't think they've acquired any of the LHWs fighting on the next Pride card and I don't think they will before Chuck has to defend his belt.
Brandon Vera makes the least sense since it's a big chance he'll leave the UFC after his next fight. Are they willing to risk that Vera actually beats Chuck and then just leaves for another organization. No.
Rashad makes all the sense in the world from a promotional stand point. He's beaten 3 TUFers, is well known after being in TUF and had an awesome KO shown on free TV not a long time ago.
Dana must be talking shit....
Bas Rutten is definately retired. He seemed very sure when he said that on beatdown and he had problems with both his knee and his back. Who wants to fight Chuck Liddell in that condition.
It should be a TUFer... anything else just doesn't make sense. I don't think they've acquired any of the LHWs fighting on the next Pride card and I don't think they will before Chuck has to defend his belt.
Brandon Vera makes the least sense since it's a big chance he'll leave the UFC after his next fight. Are they willing to risk that Vera actually beats Chuck and then just leaves for another organization. No.
Rashad makes all the sense in the world from a promotional stand point. He's beaten 3 TUFers, is well known after being in TUF and had an awesome KO shown on free TV not a long time ago.
Dana must be talking shit....
amik
2/22/07 10:03:02AM
The possibility is 0!!!
pv3Hpv3p
2/22/07 11:23:26AM
Posted by Svartorm
You know who I just thought of that would rule? Igor Vochancyn. He doesn't seem to be fighting for anyone, and if they could get his highlight reel, he'd be instantly appriciated in the UFC because hes a slugger. It would probably make for a good fight too if Igor is still training.
If it was only five or so years ago, I would whole heartedly agree with you, but I think Igor has unfortunatley hung them up for good. IMO, would be automatic consideration for fight of the year...
As for who will fight Lidell next, i don't think it will be Lyo because the UFC sees championship potential in him and hopefully they will build him up a little before he gets his shot...
I was thinking maybe a youngster like David Heath so as not to threaten Chuck too much before the big Page rematch...
Otherwise I'd like to see them bring in a bad ass japanese fighter like Kazuhiro Nakamura or Yoshihiro Akiyama...
Playground_Samurai
2/22/07 1:28:19PM
Posted by Stickan
Machida hasn't got a very marketable personality, he doesn't speak english and almost nobody has seen him fight. They also don't have a lot of footage on him to make a decent HL.
The same could have been posted about Anderson Silva.
pv3Hpv3p
2/22/07 1:32:05PM
Posted by gspfan
Posted by Stickan
Machida hasn't got a very marketable personality, he doesn't speak english and almost nobody has seen him fight. They also don't have a lot of footage on him to make a decent HL.
The same could have been posted about Anderson Silva.
Or Cro Cop for that matter...
WIth the UFC expanding to the UK this year, hopefully that's a sign that we will get to see more and more talent from around the globe in the near future.
madmarck
2/22/07 1:46:46PM
Posted by gspfan
Posted by Stickan
Machida hasn't got a very marketable personality, he doesn't speak english and almost nobody has seen him fight. They also don't have a lot of footage on him to make a decent HL.
The same could have been posted about Anderson Silva.
Anderson Silva is portrayed as a good guy though. After Lutter beat Cote. Silva came downt he the cage and i recall Goldberg saying "LOOK AT ANDERSON SILVA WHAT A CLASS ACT!" even though it is waht every fighter does.
hippysmacker
2/22/07 1:59:06PM
Posted by madmarck
Posted by gspfan
Posted by Stickan
Machida hasn't got a very marketable personality, he doesn't speak english and almost nobody has seen him fight. They also don't have a lot of footage on him to make a decent HL.
The same could have been posted about Anderson Silva.
Anderson Silva is portrayed as a good guy though. After Lutter beat Cote. Silva came downt he the cage and i recall Goldberg saying "LOOK AT ANDERSON SILVA WHAT A CLASS ACT!" even though it is waht every fighter does.
Not to mention that he had just brutalized Leben on TV and all fans( casual and hardcore) know who Leben is, know he has a good chin, and many probably really wanted him to be shut up. That one KO was dominating footage, and it sold. Just for the record I think A. Silvas is a class act. Also, Even though I don't think he will resign with the UFC, if they could work out a new contract I think Vear vs Chuck would sell good.