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[Sakara=Excitement]

After Bisping's loss, it's time to pull trigger on Anderson Silva vs. Rashad Evans title fight - MMA Fighting

These days, Anderson Silva doesn't do much of anything he doesn't want to do, so you can be sure that if he made the trip to Sao Paulo for UFC on FX 7, it was to watch a fight with some personal meaning for him, one that he thought would yield his next opponent. Silva sat among the crowd in the Ibirapuera Arena, his eyes partially obscured behind glasses but his gaze fixed upon the octagon, and more closely, on the man that he deemed worthy of his attention.

To Silva, Michael Bisping made a potentially perfect foil. He is well known, he is a credible fighter and he has a knack for generating headlines and drawing attention. But Bisping has one serious flaw: he tends to lose when the stakes are at their highest. He did it before, against Dan Henderson in 2009 when he could have advanced to a title shot; and then again in 2012, when he lost a close but controversial decision against Chael Sonnen in another top contenders fight. It happened again on Saturday night, when he was knocked out by Vitor Belfort in the second round of their main-event bout.

Sitting in the front row, Silva had to have experienced a feeling that is quite foreign to him: disappointment. The top of his division is in a fair amount of chaos right now, and that's a situation only complicated by Bisping's loss.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few fresh contenders attempting to break free from the pack. Chris Weidman has established himself as a legitimate threat; knockout artist Hector Lombard recently bounced back from his lackluster debut; Luke Rockhold just came over from Strikeforce with a belt on his shoulder. It's just that none of those guys seems to interest Silva right now, and as we noted earlier, Silva doesn't do what he doesn't want to do.

I am going to tell you what the UFC should do, not because it is the right thing, but because it is the only thing now that Bisping is out of the running as Silva's next opponent. They should pair him off with Rashad Evans.

Silva wants big fights. He wants opponents that can lead to monster pay-per-view buy rates and further his legacy. When he looks at Weidman, Rockhold and Lombard, he sees names that are still building UFC fan bases.

He won't have that problem with Evans.

Admittedly, there are a few issues with this plan. For one, Evans has a fight scheduled with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 156. For another, Evans is not a middleweight and has never competed a single time in the division.

The first item is admittedly the more complicating factor of the two. For this plan to take shape, Evans needs to beat Nogueira. He should; he is a comfortable 4-to-1 favorite in the bout, which is the night's co-main event. And here's why the Silva fight should be attractive for Evans: Because after he beats Nogueira, then what? This will be his first fight back after losing to Jon Jones in a light-heavyweight championship match. Since 205 is historically one of MMA's deepest divisions -- and it remains so now, with Dan Henderson, Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira and Gegard Mousasi all angling to snag the next No. 1 contender spot -- it could be a long time until the 33-year-old Evans gets another chance at gold in his division. That could very well convince him to accept a marquee fight in a division which many believe is his true natural class.

There is reason to believe he will; last year, Evans admitted he would make the cut specifically to fight Silva, saying it would be worth the effort for the chance to fight the man many consider the sport's G.O.A.T.

Evans has resisted the move until now, but would he say no to a middleweight championship fight in favor of continuing the long road in the light-heavyweight division? I doubt it.

A Silva vs. Evans fight would certainly intrigue the masses. According to White, Evans is one of the promotion's top five pay-per-view draws, and he's one of only a handful of mixed martial artists in history to headline two events that sold over 1 million pay-per-view buys. His star power combined with Silva's resume would almost certainly equal a box-office bonanza.

There are purists who will dislike the idea because Evans has never competed as a middleweight. There are fans of middleweight contenders who will despise it because it means a longer wait. But we don't live in a fantasy land; we live in the real world where Silva has some real sway in his future, and he's not fighting anyone he doesn't want to fight. In the end, the fight's the thing, and Evans is a championship caliber athlete who can offer Silva some serious stylistic challenges.

There is no true clear-cut No. 1 contender, so Weidman, Rockhold and Lombard can figure that out among themselves. In the meantime, give Silva something big, because while he can't hold the division hostage, he's capable of slowing it down until he gets what he wants. Right now, he doesn't know what that is, but if Evans wins on Feb. 2, it might suddenly crystallize the idea that Silva-Evans is the fight that makes the most dollars and sense.

[kingrobert]

I dont want to see Anderson sit out till summer or later. He is a Champion and the UFC should tell him who to fight instead of asking. I like the idea of Vitor or Rashad if its at 185 and if Rashad wins his next fight. If not and Jones wins against Sonnen make the MEGA fight of Jones vs Silva a 5 round non title fight.

[Kimbo> Rampage]

That would be a a great fight... Im sure we would still have the idiots who think Weidman is better than Rashad, but well just have to deal with their bitching...

Rashad is a bigger threat to Anderson than anyone else at MW, period.

Originally Posted by kingrobert

I dont want to see Anderson sit out till summer or later. He is a Champion and the UFC should tell him who to fight instead of asking. I like the idea of Vitor or Rashad if its at 185 and if Rashad wins his next fight. If not and Jones wins against Sonnen make the MEGA fight of Jones vs Silva a 5 round non title fight.

He was quoted as saying, ask Dana and Lorenzo...:

[Cat--Smasher]

Originally Posted by kingrobert

I like the idea of Vitor or Rashad if its at 185 and if Rashad wins his next fight.

I dont think Rashad winning his next fight should be a problem. Rashad should beat Lil Nog with ease.

I think Rashad is a great challenge for Silva but I am getting very sick of hearing talk of everyone but the main contender getting a title shot. Also, should Rashad get an immediate title shot at 185?

[TBEAR]

Weidman deserves the shot at Anderson end thred

[Kimbo> Rampage]

Originally Posted by Cat--Smasher

I dont think Rashad winning his next fight should be a problem. Rashad should beat Lil Nog with ease.

I think Rashad is a great challenge for Silva but I am getting very sick of hearing talk of everyone but the main contender getting a title shot. Also, should Rashad get an immediate title shot at 185?

Who is the "main contender" and why?

Are Rockhold and Lombard without legit claims of their own?

Evans has beaten a list of legends... only lost to Jones, and Machida...

I dont care what way you cut it that is more impressive than anything Weidman has done.

[Cat--Smasher]

Originally Posted by rampage9712

Who is the "main contender" and why?

Are Rockhold and Lombard without legit claims of their own?

Evans has beaten a list of legends... only lost to Jones, and Machida...

I dont care what way you cut it that is more impressive than anything Weidman has done.

I say Weidman is more of a contender than Lombard. Lombard is 1-1 in the UFC. I dont care about his long list of wins... Not really any impressive names on that list, notable names but not any top ten names.

I would also say Wiedman is more of a contender than Rockhold. But, the Rockhold fight is understandable as he was the SF champ.

I agree Evans has beaten a list of legends and would be a huge threat to Silva. I agree Evans career has been more impressive than Weidman.. but Weidman has worked his way up the MW ladder. Evans has never fought at MW. Give him a fight to make sure the weight cut would be ok for him and if he wins that, give him Anderson (if Silva beats Weidman, which he most likely will).

I just have a hard time with someone who had never fought at a certian weight just walking into the div and a title shot.......

[deeznizzies]

bottom line is there is no one else right now. if rashad wins he should get the next fight against anderson if he wants it.

weidman is out how much longer? vitor just got ktfo'd by silva not that long ago, lombard is 1-1, okami? besides hendo (if and big if he gets past machida) possibly rematching him, there isn't anyone right now. i say fuck it. it'd be an interesting fight. i think it would be cool to see suga get the upset and be the new mw champ.

[SwordofAres]

Really?!?! When the heck did Rashad become a middle weight title contender?

I know UFC belts mean less than "worlds greatest dad" mugs at this point but it might be interesting to see what happens if the champion defends it against the #1 contender. I know it sounds crazy but I think we should give it a try.

[Bork_Lazer]

I think Rockhold has the best case for a shot right now and with a win I think Evans would have just as good a case. Lombard and Weidman both need a good win to earn a shot. I think Vitor would need 2 more wins to deserve a shot.

PS if you think Weidman deserves a shot right now over everyone else you must hold Munoz as one of the greatest of all time as that is literally his only meaningful win.