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[Supe]

Over the next few months all the big players in the LHW division of the UFC are pretty much lined up for fights. Chuck v Shogun, Jardine v Silva, Tito v Machida, Rashad v Thiago. Soko is the only LHW in the UFC i can think of without any rumored fights. So if anyone has any info on who is rumored to fight id love to know. If there arent any rumors around yet...who should he fight?

[BigBanda]

Well they could throw him someone other than those names which may just happen. We can scratch Matt Hamill and Tim Boetsch because they are fighting each other at UFN 13. James Irvin is supposed to fight Houston Alexander next so scratch those 2 as well. Stephan Bonnar is currently injured but not sure how long he will be out. They also have David Heath, Jason Lambert and Nakamura to work with still as well.

So these are possible opponents I see Soko facing next if they are to put him in an event soon rather than later:

- David Heath
- Jason Lambert
- Kazuhiro Nakamura
- Stephan Bonnar (depending on how long he is out injured)

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by BigBanda

Well they could throw him someone other than those names which may just happen. We can scratch Matt Hamill and Tim Boetsch because they are fighting each other at UFN 13. James Irvin is supposed to fight Houston Alexander next so scratch those 2 as well. Stephan Bonnar is currently injured but not sure how long he will be out. They also have David Heath, Jason Lambert and Nakamura to work with still as well.

So these are possible opponents I see Soko facing next if they are to put him in an event soon rather than later:

- David Heath
- Jason Lambert
- Kazuhiro Nakamura
- Stephan Bonnar (depending on how long he is out injured)

Bonnar is out for five to six months. I say give him Lambert or Nakamura, both of which could probably get him to the ground and fuck him up...let's hope he actually learns something from Hendo this time around in training camp.

[Krellek]

I'd say let him fight LAmbert. both big, powerful guys who went on a tear and haven't had the best of outcomes lately. makes perfect sense to me

[Moriason]

Originally Posted by Krellek

I'd say let him fight LAmbert. both big, powerful guys who went on a tear and haven't had the best of outcomes lately. makes perfect sense to me

Agreed, a Lambert fight is probably the best fight they can currently give Sokoudjou.

[Mac]

Soko becomes the can he should have been in the first place. He's just not built for the cage, anyone who can wrestle or is good at JJ is going to dominate him. His striking isn't as explosive as it was in Pride (steroids?) and one of those was a fluke anyways.

Sorry if this sounds like fighter bashing but I always thought this guy was overrated. The best thing UFC could do with him would be to protect him with Strikers, I would like to see him fight Alexander, neither one of them wants anything to do with the ground.

[ArMnHC]

Originally Posted by Mac

Soko becomes the can he should have been in the first place. He's just not built for the cage, anyone who can wrestle or is good at JJ is going to dominate him. His striking isn't as explosive as it was in Pride (steroids?) and one of those was a fluke anyways.

Sorry if this sounds like fighter bashing but I always thought this guy was overrated. The best thing UFC could do with him would be to protect him with Strikers, I would like to see him fight Alexander, neither one of them wants anything to do with the ground.

id actually go with Houston in that fight LOL

[Quintessential Studmuffin]

Lamberts a horrible match up for Soko.IMO Hed take him down and likely win a decision.

I think theyll give him Wilson Gouveia. Hes mostly a BJJ guy,but he'll also likely be willing to trade with Soko,until he gets hurt.

Mainly they just need to give him a guy thats willing to stand and swing. Sokos ground game is pretty non-existent.

[J-diggler]

Originally Posted by Quintessential Studmuffin

Lamberts a horrible match up for Soko.IMO Hed take him down and likely win a decision.

I think theyll give him Wilson Gouveia. Hes mostly a BJJ guy,but he'll also likely be willing to trade with Soko,until he gets hurt.

Mainly they just need to give him a guy thats willing to stand and swing. Sokos ground game is pretty non-existent.

I know he hasnt shown it yet but a judoka of his level has to have some level of ground game. BJJ and Judo are pretty closely tied.

[marekny144]

Originally Posted by Mac

He's just not built for the cage, anyone who can wrestle or is good at JJ is going to dominate him. His striking isn't as explosive as it was in Pride (steroids?) and one of those was a fluke anyways.

Did you see his UFC fight? Dude is as big as they come; I don't know whether he is or was juicing but he looks monstrous. My buddies and I could not believe he is a LIGHT heavyweight. I don't think he lacked in strength; Machida just took him apart and fought a very smart and strategic fight.

Originally Posted by Mac

Sorry if this sounds like fighter bashing but I always thought this guy was overrated. The best thing UFC could do with him would be to protect him with Strikers, I would like to see him fight Alexander, neither one of them wants anything to do with the ground.

Just like the post above mentioned, judo is probably more of a grappling/ground game than a standing game. I just think he def needs to work on jj game/defense. Perhaps the cage jitters came into play as well?