On April 10, 2010, the UFC's lightweight division ground to a halt. Of course, we didn't know it at the time. At the time, we thought we'd seen a legendary champ defeated by a heavy underdog, and things would've definitely sorted themselves out in the immediate rematch. They did, sort of. The legendary champ was beaten worse than before, so there was no question as to who rightfully deserved to wear the crown. But then came a rematch, then another, then a new challenger, and now another rematch. Not that it's his fault, but since taking on the incumbent B.J. Penn on that night in April, 2010, Edgar has faced two other people. And folks, there are way more than two people in the UFC's 155-pound weight class. Time for the Baldfather to put his foot down!
- UFC president Dana White said yesterday that regardless of who wins in tonight's title scrap between Benson Henderson and Edgar — and regardless of it is via controversial, rematch-demanding circumstances — top contender Nate Diaz is going to be a part of the next lightweight championship fight. What if Henderson/Edgar II ends via close, close split decision? Diaz gets next. What if Henderson slips on a banana peel while Edgar simultaneously bonks his head on a fallen steel girder, and both men are KO'd? Diaz gets next. What if the Earth splits open and the main event fighters are swallowed by a deep, lava-filled chasm? Diaz gets next.
Josh Gross at ESPN sums up the morass the weight class has been mired in for the past few years here:
Rather than new challengers earning opportunities, the division delivered a cycle of close calls followed by rematches, which, while justifiable, essentially immobilized an intriguing group of young fighters, who could sit in the pits or partake in dangerous contests and risk their status.
White says no more. Diaz gets next. And I'm fine with that.
- UFC middleweight contender Chris Weidman had the microphone for yesterday's Q & A session in Denver, C.O., and of course the rising star talked about how he should be next in line to fight champ Anderson Silva. I don't disagree, as Weidman has proved himself to be a worthy opponent, but I can't help but think that since Silva is getting up there in years and has accomplished so much (and made a ton of money), we won't see the Brazilian fight again unless it's a superfight against welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre or some other big-buck match-up. What do you think? Should Weidman face Silva next? Or will Silva be rocking the pay-per-view percentage points and fighting only ultra-compelling opponents outside of his division?
- Brazilian poofy-haired warrior Renato "Babalu" Sobral has signed with Bellator Fighting Championships and will be partaking in one of their light-heavyweight tournaments. Sobral is a veteran of just about every fighting organization there ever was, including the UFC, Strikeforce, One FC, Affliction, and RINGS, and has worn championship belts often. This is a good signing — especially because Travis Wiuff is about to become Bellator's 205-pound champ, and Sobral beat Wiuff when they met in the UFC. So, you know, cool rematch and all.
That's all for now. Come back tonight for Cagewriter's coverage of UFC 150, and take advantage of our "no shenanigans" guarantee.
Tony DeSouza Edwin Dewees Nick Diaz Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen
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