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[hunterkiller]

In my mind, Lyoto Machida is the #2 contender for the LHW title behind only Forrest Griffin. He is actually more deserving than Griffin of the title shot. I see tons of people in different threads saying Machida should fight this person or Machida should fight that person.

The fact of the matter is Rampage and Forrest are fighting in less than a month. The winner of that fight, barring an injury, will have to defend that title before the end of the year. They will have to have a challenger waiting for the winner and Machida is the only fighter right now that fits the bill. Breaking down the title picture, there is no one else. Chuck isn't ready for another shot yet, neither is Wanderlei. Rashad hasn't earned it yet, Shogun is hurt, Jardine just lost, so who's left, only Machida. He doesn't have time to fight anyone else before he gets a title shot.

If you think Machida needs another fight first, then who should get the next title fight? And Wanderlei doesn't count because Wanderlei isn't getting the next title fight, we all know that.

[krayven]

The only way Machida should fight again before getting a title shot is if there is gonna be a long lay off after Griffin and Rampage fight in terms of medical suspensions or anything. He's earned his stab at it.

[jhell]

I totally agree: He should wait for his title shot. There's no doubt he's earned it and I would love to see him fight Rampage or Forrest.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by krayven

The only way Machida should fight again before getting a title shot is if there is gonna be a long lay off after Griffin and Rampage fight in terms of medical suspensions or anything. He's earned his stab at it.

By beating Sokoudjou (a lower-top-10 level fighter who's still very new to MMA) and decisioning an aging, well-past-his-prime Tito Ortiz who wasn't in the top 15 in the world?

Lyoto is still unproven enough against top 205ers that he needs to beat Chuck, Forrest or Hendo (if he even fights again at 205) or a couple more top 10's to get a title shot. The best fighter he's beaten is a green Sokoudjou who was in the lower half of the top 10.

[Dimson]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

By beating Sokoudjou (a lower-top-10 level fighter who's still very new to MMA) and decisioning an aging, well-past-his-prime Tito Ortiz who wasn't in the top 15 in the world?

Lyoto is still unproven enough against top 205ers that he needs to beat Chuck, Forrest or Hendo (if he even fights again at 205) to get a title shot.

So if he doesn't deserve the shot then who does? If he doesn't get the shot straight up, I would like to see him fight T.Silva for a shot at the title.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by Dimson

So if he doesn't deserve the shot then who does? If he doesn't get the shot straight up, I would like to see him fight T.Silva for a shot at the title.

In my mind right now, there is no clear contender at 205 for a title shot (beyond Forrest, who of course has is coming up). A #1 contender needs to be defined.

I don't see a Lyoto who, while a hell of a fighter, has as his top claims to fame beating a green Sokoudjou and decisioning a post-Jenna-Jameson Tito Ortiz, as a "clear #1 contender" for a title shot. Chuck Liddell just beat Wanderlei Silva, for crying out loud.

The division needs more definition to determine the next challenger.

[hunterkiller]

Originally Posted by Dimson

So if he doesn't deserve the shot then who does? If he doesn't get the shot straight up, I would like to see him fight T.Silva for a shot at the title.

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

By beating Sokoudjou (a lower-top-10 level fighter who's still very new to MMA) and decisioning an aging, well-past-his-prime Tito Ortiz who wasn't in the top 15 in the world?

Lyoto is still unproven enough against top 205ers that he needs to beat Chuck, Forrest or Hendo (if he even fights again at 205) or a couple more top 10's to get a title shot. The best fighter he's beaten is a green Sokoudjou who was in the lower half of the top 10.

So if he doesn't fight for the title next, who does? Rampage/Forrest will need an opponent come November/Decemeber so who's it going to be?

Machida has done more to deserve to be NO.1 contender than Yushin Okami.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

So if he doesn't fight for the title next, who does? Rampage/Forrest will need an opponent come November/Decemeber so who's it going to be?

I have a feeling that the winner of whomever they match up with Chuck at UFC 88 will get the next title shot, on NYE. If that is Lyoto and he beats Chuck, more power to him.

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

Machida has done more to deserve to be NO.1 contender than Yushin Okami.

Not a fair comparison. The UFC MW division is turning around very recently; but it's been quite weak for a while and Silva has all but cleaned it out. In contrast, 205 is still extremely active and, IMO, is in the same boat only with 155 for the most stacked and unclear divisions in terms of where everyone ranks in relation to a title shot.

[T]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

By beating Sokoudjou (a lower-top-10 level fighter who's still very new to MMA) and decisioning an aging, well-past-his-prime Tito Ortiz who wasn't in the top 15 in the world?

Lyoto is still unproven enough against top 205ers that he needs to beat Chuck, Forrest or Hendo (if he even fights again at 205) or a couple more top 10's to get a title shot. The best fighter he's beaten is a green Sokoudjou who was in the lower half of the top 10.

Agreed.

I could see him possibly fighting Keith Jardine next.

[foundstarr]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

In my mind right now, there is no clear contender at 205 for a title shot (beyond Forrest, who of course has is coming up). A #1 contender needs to be defined.

I don't see a Lyoto who, while a hell of a fighter, has as his top claims to fame beating a green Sokoudjou and decisioning a post-Jenna-Jameson Tito Ortiz, as a "clear #1 contender" for a title shot. Chuck Liddell just beat Wanderlei Silva, for crying out loud.

The division needs more definition to determine the next challenger.

Hmm, you make Soku sound like the Arona and little nog wins don't exist. He's beaten 2 top 15 fighters. Not ready for a title shot yeah, but soku isn't "green" I call that trial by fire by any means.

Lyoto has FOR SURE, earned a title shot. IMO Rampage has the only style that can counter Lyoto.

EDIT: NO WAY should Lyoto have to fight Jardine, Jardine has lost twice in the past year by vicious knockout. He's becoming a human highlight reel.