It would also help if Machida actually finished a few fights.

I forgot to add that it would be a hell of a lot easier for the UFC to make big numbers off of a Chuck/Rampage fight than a Machida/Rampage fight. Most casual fans still have no idea who Machida is.

100% Correct. Forrest did not deserve a title shot but got one cos it will sell PPV and makes for a great story, TUF winner – TUF coach – Title short – Maybe champ? (probably not!!)

Machida defeated “the African Assasin” who was, and still is, a top ten fighter. He destroyed him too. Machida definitely deserves a title shot over any of the other 205 lb fighters in the division, including Chuck. Don’t forget, before chuck beat Wanderlei, he lost two fights in a row.

Machida beat Sokoudjou…and finished him. he is undefeated and has beaten everyone that they have put in front of him. There is no reason why is isn’t deserving of a title shot.

He beat Rich Framklin, BJ Penn, Stephan Bonner, Tito Ortiz and Sokoudjou without losing, he deserves it. Wait in line Chuck!!

I spoke to Chuck when he was in London for UFC 85, i asked him if Dana had promised the shot with a win and he said “yeah, its a lock”.

Like everyone above said it makes sense for the UFC for the following reasons…

1) Marketability 2) If Chuck wins the UFC rubber match would be huge 3) Machida has not beaten a top contender 4) Like him or not Chuck dominated the L/HW before the pride merger, that should bring weight to the table.

I want to see Machida vs Thiago, want Silva to chase him down and give him his first loss.

What rubber match are you talking about. Chuck has been destroyed by rampage twice and hasn’t beaten him once. Its only a rubber match if its 1 to 1 and there is a tie breaker…I’m not ready to see chuck vs. rampage 3 with such lopsided outcomes of the first two.

he said the UFC rubber match…not counting the pride fights douche bag.

Thanks, yeah your right.

Thats why i put the ‘UFC’ rubber match, its just hypeatheticly speaking IF Chuck won the next one, the PPV buys for the third UFC fight would be off the chart.

It all comes down to the $$’s. Machida is a nightmare to promote, boring personality + boring fighter + non US figher = get to the back of the que.

In reverse if you tick the above catogories your in luck, just like Forrest.

chuck lost two straight (One included Jardine) and he barely got past Wandy. He needs to get his ass in the back of the “que”

Machida is undefeated. He has made a style that people cant fight and he wins. You wouldnt be talking if you were on the oppisite side of the cage with the dragon so have some respect for the guy.
Very sick of hearing how boring he is. How he doesnt finish fights. I would say 13-0 speaks for itself. And last time I checked he fought no slouches.

The title shot in the 205 lb division MUST go thru Machida, and Chuck knows this. That’s why he is saying this crap publicly. He and his trainer want no part of a fight with Machida. Ducking the #1 contender??? That sounds a bit familiar. But last time, Chuck was the one getting ducked, not doing the ducking.

I mean, who really wants to see Chuck get owned and KO’d by Rampage, again? Unless you have a mohawk, beer belly, paint your toe nails, or any combination of those, you are not rooting for Rampage/Liddell 3.

Haven’t read thru the thead, but where is Chucky at saying Chuck gives Dana oral pleasures??

First thing is Chuck lost to Rampage in Pride during a tournament, its hard to fight a Pride tournament in which Rampage lost to Wandy. Chuck lost a lame decision to Jardine. It happens after you get KTFO’d. Though Machida is 13-0 Thiago Silva also sprts a 13-0 record with some tough matches and more importantly more finishes. I think Chuck does deserve the next title shot seeing as he was former champion, has better style fights, more promotable. Be honest with yourselves just because you hate that people say Machida’s fighting style is boring doesn’t change the fact that his fighting style is boring. Maybe Chuck should have to face another tough competitor before he faces Rampage but instead I think Chuck should get the next title shot against Rampage while Lyoto and Silva face off on the same card to see who would get the next title shot against the winner of that fight. Makes sense and it seems to be fair in my mind. You have to respect a reigning champ and give him his fair shot. He at least didn’t call for an immediate rematch, he’s tried to work his way back up.

Cung le will either defend his title against “THE gRABAK HITMAN” kAZUO mISAKI OR fRANK sHAMROCK!

ALSO: aMIR sADOLLAH WILL DROP DOWN T O WELTERWEIGHT.

you’re not a hardcore fan!

John, who do you think is more deserving than Chuck with a win over Rashad? Machida? He beat his first top ten with a slow UD and that’s if you consider Ortiz a top ten. Hendo already had his chance. Thiago hasnt even come close to fighting a top ten yet, although he has finished his fights quite nicely. Rua? he would need a dominant win to earn one after a sub loss to Forrest. Wanderlei? another dominant win like he did with Jardine could make a case as well. Any boring UD’s wont take you to the top very fast. I also think if Rashad beats Chuck, he would be next in line.

Sokoudjou was a top 10 fighter and is still on many lists including Sherdog.com and Machida finished him.

C-War my beef is that the UFC had crowded the division with irrelevant fights so that they can Justify giving Chuck an easy Road for the title.

Machida was a contender as was tHigo Silva. Instead of matching up Tiago Silva vs. Machida at UFC 84,they matched the 2 contenders against non contenders. If they would have faced each other at UFC 84 like they should have, the UFC could not justify not giving the winner a title shot. So they clouded up the 2 contenders, Machida and Silva. so that they could give Chuck a title shot because they expect him to KO Rashad (a tailor made opponent for chuck). Especially since wany is ony on a 1 fight winning streak, and jardine is out of contention.

Starting with UFC 84, all the matchmaking in the light heavyweight division wAS constructed to give Chuck the best possibility at being the next #1 contender.

Say I am WRong?

errr he fought Wandi coming off a Jardine loss and was suppose to fight Rua originally before he got hurt. Those two would be the toughest of all opponents in my opinion. I’m sorry but you’re wrong, lol.

Not sure why you have so much hatred for Chuck and Forrest with these strange conspiracy theories but its all good. However I do agree that Joe Silva really sucks sometimes and messed up not putting Machida against Thiago.

I’m not really sure that Chuck is deserving of another shot just yet but at the same time I want to argue that Machida vs Tito was a good booking decision.

Tito was leaving no matter what, and the UFC took a big name fighter (a top contender in the eyes of the casual fan) and sacrificed him to Machida. While that win might not have given Machida much more credibility in the eyes of the hardcore fan it will certainly have garnered more interest amongst the casual fans than a win over Thiago Silva would have.

Cwar: Because he was supposed to fight Rua, thats supposed to count for something? Come on man , I am a huge Liddell fan, but I am sick of the favoritism that he is being shown

Chuck vs. Rashad is an absolutely joke and an insult to my intelligence. If Chuck wants to really be the #1 contender he should have to go through machida, not Rashad! Oh but Chucks camp doesnt want to fight Machida.its just BS and it stinks!

all this favoritism for what,so I can sit through Rampage destroying him for the 3rd tine? Whats the point, none of the previous 2 fights have even been competitive!

I wouldnt mind giving chuck another title shot if he beats:
Machida
Wandy
THiago
or rematch with Jardine

anybody but Rashad

All that I ask out of the UFC is that they decide #1 contenders by performance and by which fighter deserves a shot at the title instead of who is more marketable. Thats all!

Machida is being screwed just as Okami has been in the middleweight division. I could care less if fans think they are boring…I care about the integrity of the UFC and I want to see deserving #1 contenders, not which fighters sell the most pay per views.

Is that really too much to ask for? These days it seems so!

Sorry mate, your right but it is never going to happen. Its all about the $$’s.

Hence Randy, Frank Mir, Forrest, hell even Rampage after one UFC win all got/getting shots.

Even (don’t get me started on it) TUF4, giving a reality winner a shot i mean WTF?

Its the fight game ite the same with Boxing, when the money coming in is fueled by hype and buzz over a fight, popular fighters will always be at the front of the que.

then its never going to be a true mainstream sport. If sports opperated this way we would see the Lakers vs. the Celtics every year in the NBA finals.

UFC shuold just let the chips fall were they may, give the most deserving guy a title shot, and it will all work its self out!

john, I agree with the idea that the most deserving guy should get the title shot. The UFC is a huge marketing machine, they could hype Machida and still make a lot of cash. Chuck’s nearing the end of his career, they are probably just setting the stage for his last chance… Simular to how they gave Hughes that chance where one win possibly sets up another title shot.

I’ll stand with John. It just seems that the UFC’s Brass thinks that " hey..no one will know. their dumb..they take what ever we feed them. " I think they’re right. Peeps like us are hooked to this Sport like uncut Coke. The UFC is the main Dealer. I see hwat you see..but I don’t see things being they way they should. It’s F’d up. So Chuck gets Destroyed 2X by Page. Loses to Jardine?? Beats Wandy..in Wandy’s UFC return..now is fighting ( a wrestler ) Rashad?? To get a title shot.. Come on man..who writes this stuff.

Thats exactly what I am trying to say….Sometimes I feel like Phil is living in my mind! Good stuff PhilQNy, and Arnold!

PhilQNY: Scroll down and give me your thoughts on my post about wanderlei’s ju jitsu. U have seen Machida roll in person, u r probably the most qualified to back me up, or disagree…I am curious to hear your thoughts about my post!

I want to see Lyoto vs. Wandy. I think that Silva has the perfect style to take out Machida.

standing, Wanderlei has the perfect strategy to defeat Machida: Gressive Brutal sriking, with a great chin that will hold up against Machida’s punching power. THe problem is that Machida would take Wanderlei to the ground where he is light years ahead of wandy in both wrestling and especially Ju jitsu. if they were to fight Wandy wouuld ge submtted by Machida, and I dont want to see Wanderlei loose to anyone but Rampage!!!!

Machida vs. THiago Silva s a much more appealing fight because thiago has the wanderlei-like agressive and powerful chutebox striking, a great chin that Machida would not be able to rock. MOre importantly, tHiago has the ju jitsu skills neccessary to survive against Machida on the ground.

I give tHiago Silva the best chance of beating Machida out of everyone in the UFC lightweight division besides Rampage, who I dont see anyone loosing to anyone for the next couple of years!

wandy is a BJJ black belt… no way machida submits him

True, you can’t just say that “Wandy would get submitted”. Wandy fought Sakuraba 3 times and beat him 3 times. I don’t honestly think that Machida has a better submission game than Sakuraba.

Listen I am one of the biggest wanderlei fans on the PLANET, but I have to keep it real. HIs ju jitsu black belt is BS. Yes it was given to him, but his ju jitsu is not deserving of a black belt. Brown belts like hazlett or Nate Diaz have ju jitsu light years ahead of wanderei. He does not have the skills needed to earn a black belt….trust me on this!

Most of the sakuraba fights remained standing, and in Pride it was easier to defend ju jitsu, when the grounded fighter is trying to grab u, u just kick the grounded opponent in the face.

Please believe me that if Wanderei goes to the ground with either Machida or Thiago Silva, wanderlei will be forced to tap! I do not want to see that happen to wandy one of my favorites of all time.

His back belt iis not legit, but its getting better now that he works with ju jistu god JACRE!!

This just shows your ignorance. Wanderlei was awarded a black belt because he was wanderlei. Wanderlei’s ju jitsu doesnt even measure up to brown belts like Hazlett or Nate Diaz.

I am t he biggest wanderlei fan on Earth, so I dont ike talking bad about him, but trust me on this, he is not a real Brazilian Ju Jistu black belt. On the ground Machida and Thiago couuld very easily submit Wanderlei….I hope it doesnt happen though.

Different camps have different criteria for awarding black belts in ju jistu. Wanderlei’s ju jist is really not at a black belt level IMO,

Regardless he is one of my favorite fighters ever, but if you think that Machida wouldnt submit wandy if the fight went to the ground…..u have a lot to learn.

Sakuraba fights took part mostly in the stand up, and Pride was different, cuz you could just Kick a guy in his face, or stomp on his head while he was on the ground attempting a submission.

your ignorance is evident!!

What about Wandi vs Thiago?

I blame Joe Silva really…never liked the guy, he knows how to screw a division in just a few short months.

John: Wandy wa given a bjj black belt by Carlinhos Gracie at Gracie Barra. One of my training partnters at GB was there. I wasn’t. Is Wandy a Brazilian JiuJitsu Black belt. Yes. Is he an outstanding BJJ blk belt at the MMA level no. People that train BJJ get belts for different reasons. I knew of a guy that got promoted to Blue and could not tap ANYBODY. The reason he promoted was he could not be tapped. He had phenomal ground defense. Back to Wandy.. I do not think in a MMA match Wandy would be tapped by Machida or Thiago. In a BJJ match..most likely..yeah. As we all know Wandy is one of the tuffest Mofo’s out there. He knows enough BJJ that Carlinhos awarded him a Blk belt..if Wandy was not sound enough on the ground regardless of him being Wandy..no way Carlinhos would of promoted him. Don’t expect to see Wandy start arm barring/heel hooking dudes left and right. He is cavemanish axe murdering bad man in the cage. His cup of tea..is the Knock you senseless. I think Thiago would be a tuffer task than Machida for Wandy..there are different levels of Skill in BJJ..Wandy’s is not up there with the Penn’s, Jacere’s, Garcia’s, Renzo’s, Almeida’s, Roger’s..but it is at a level where he does what he does best. Beat the crap out of people.

Thank YOu Phil, thats why I asked you, I knew u would know. For those that claim that I think I am some kind of know it all, this is a perfect example. When I do not know something, I defer to someone that does. I dont make stuff up!

Thanks for clearing that PhilQny….Thats why I asked u!

lol, so from this can we infer that “your ignorace was evident” in the previous post about Wandy having absolutley no chance on the ground? =P

I think your right here, I think fiveounces had an article on it. We are not calling the super fights before their time has come. How many fights do you think guys like Rich Franklin, Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Fedor Emelianko and Matt Hughes have left? You have to make sure that the fights that need to happen, the super fights, actually do happen and well before the fighter turns into an Evan Tanner. I want to see if Chuck has it in him to be Champ again, and I know they should throw Machida at him because I think Machida would get stuffed. Anyway look at the main point here all fighters think they are the best and that they deserve the belt. Chuck reined with that belt he should have been calling for a rematch after completing the triangle of defeat by beating Wandy (Wandy bests Rampage who bests Chuck who best Wandy). Chuck also stated that he wanted to face Rua when he was healthy but still they gave him Rashad (which is a total joke). Still that said I want to see if Chuck can beat Rampage or if maybe he should move to HW lol, and at the same time I think it would be fair for a Machida Silva fight and a Wandi Rua fight. Honestly thats the best outcome us fans can ask for because then we have the winner of Silva Lyoto facing the winner of Chuck Rampage and then the winner of Wandy Rua facing the loser of the Loyota Silva for another number 1 contender. Seriously how many great fights did we just get there? I see johns point but I’m just looking at it from what Joe could do to fix this.

That is not all that matters, and Dana has said that a million times. Fighters have to be entertaining to watch to make them marketable.

Agreed 100% – the main objective is ratings

shogun=rampages last loss, everyones golden boy light HW before the loss. cant blame forest for the other guys conditioning.

Jardine= beat chuck (decisively), was killed by alexander (which doesnt make him a better fighter) also s*** happens

ortiz+ i dont even count that, one of the worst calls ever.

 machida= training to be olympic runner

i was impressed with him on the ground at the end of the 1st against ortiz, but other than that his style is "STAND UP LAY & PRAY)…feel free to steal that if ya like lol.
 all the above was just the opinions of a guy who enjoys the sport, so dont take it too seriously.

Even if he beats Evans I don’t think Liddell deserves a title shot; his fights are inconsistent (gets dropped by Jardine? and looked terrible in his win over Wanderlei—just doing what he had to to get the descision). Whoever wins Liddell or Evans fights Machita; winner gets to fight Rampage.

I completely agree that the if Chuck beats Rashad, he should then have to beat Machida to get a shot at the title ut in all honesty it wont happen.

Chuck will beat Rashad, get another crack at the title, and then get RAMPAGED all over again!

Its a shame that this will happen, especialy when there are so many top fighters in the division!

People need to stop Ducking machida and fight him!

I just think Chuck vs. Machida could turn out to be a snooze fest. Lets face it, as “elusive” a fighter he was against Tito, he would probably come in wearing track shoes and pull a Starnes against Liddell.

Why should Liddell have to fight Machida? Who has Machida beaten? Tito (sucks) and Sokoudjou (average). Machida is at least one or two fights away from a title fight. That being said, I’d love to see him fight an aggressive fighter like Thiago.

Chuck Liddell is getting old. You say who has Machida beaten? Who has Chuck beaten lately? His merit is on his name alone. The only reason why Chuck deserves a shot is $$$$$$$. Rampage already destroyed him twice…do you see anyone calling for a Franklin v Silva third match??? I don’t think so…this is a similar situation. What is Chuck going to bring this time? His fighting skills aren’t what they used to be and neither are this new breed of 205 opponents that are going to kill him. He’s only going down-hill from here. Mark my words.

Thank You for stating that. Chuck fighting for a chance to fight Rampage again is absurd, and the Rich Franklin point is perfect. Though I admit Chuck and Machida would end up being a boring fight, to counter punchers, fighting, I do think it is time that Machida gets the opportunity to shine. They feed Chuck Jardine, who he was supposed to walk through and lost. Now they feed him Rashad, if he should lose this is he still always going to be one fight away from a contender? How come is the other weight classes if a contender loses he is at the bottom of the heap, ie. KAro Parisyan off the top of my head quickly…Chuck needs to tie together a few wins before he gets a title shot…

by the end of yeAR VERA WILL DESTROY WANDY JUST LIKE CHUCK DID,DID YOU SEE THE STATE OF HIS FACE,AND DONT GIVE ME THE CAGE EXCUSE,A STAND UP FIGHT IS A FIGHT.WATCH CHUCK BEAT EVANS THEN A,SILVA THEN RAMPAGE AND THEN FINISH HIS CAREER AGAINST VERA IN A GOOD STAND UP BATTLE.DONT COMMENT ON SOMETHING U HAVENT GOT A CLUE ON.BUY UFC 79 AND SEE WOT HAPPENED TO THAT BITCH WANDY

i’ve already seen the UFC 79, that was a great fight but Wandy wasn’t fightin like he was back then, he even gave Chuck a quick semi knockout for a sec as he fell down. Don’t underestimate Wandy, that dude whupped Rampage twice by knockout back in Pride and he’s likely to to fight him again in UFC. you don’t know anything about Wandy.

That is only in the case where no other worthy contenders are present. But with this stacked division things can be a little more logical.

Agree with holdin ropes

“That is only the case where no other worthy contenders are present”

Really? The UFC has an official system they use to determine top contenders? They dont.

I think a lot of people look at it how they think it should be done, instead of how it is actually done.
If you are a draw, and you get on a streak, the title shot is yours.

I agree with everything you’ve said Jason. Like Dana said, you can’t make everyone happy and there has been plenty of people that got a title shot that didn’t deserve it. Chuck is not getting any younger and he is an icon for the UFC. The UFC would be stupid not to give him another chance. They would be shooting themselves in the foot because I know a lot of casual UFC fans that only buy pay per views when Chuck is fighting. Kind of like boxing was when Mike Tyson was in his prime. People can hate all they want but Chuck has done a lot for the sport here in America and he is one reason that there are a lot of hardcore fans. I guaratee that Chuck vs. Rampage 3 would sell at least 5 million more pay per views then Rampage vs Machida or Rampage vs Thiago Silva or anyone else for that matter and he may not be as deserving as some guys but Chuck will not fighting much longer and everyone will get their chance. It’s all about the Benjimans!

ortiz sokoudjou nakamura ! are they not credible fighters

Yes, they are credible fighters, but i don’t think those wins warrant a title shot. No Way!

1. Ortiz is free falling from the top ten.
2. Sokoudjou doesn’t even have 8 professional fights! (not to mention that Chucks training partner Teixeira destroyed him and knocked him out).
3. Nakamura has almost as many loses as wins! And has shown that he cant hang with the elite. (and PLEASE don’t reference Randleman in 05).

So no I completely disagree that Machida deserves a title shot. That doesn’t say that i don’t think he’s close. I think he needs a win against an elite fighter before he gets his chance.

Thats why i would rather see Chuck vs Machida, or Wanderlei vs Machida to decide who’s next.

What I’m certain is that there are quite a few fighters that are one win away from a title shot.

Well Evans is not one of those strikers.

I do hope I am wrong – I would like to see an exciting fight rather than a lopsided win.

ye i hope for a good fight rashads last fight was a borefest! however if he utilises the kicks well he should have a cahnce at taking chuck down and keeping him there! lets just hope that if he does he doesnt just lay n pray!

Rashad couldn’t beat Tito. How is he supposed to beat Chuck.

You are on crack…big difference between defense and boring…just because a guy doesn’t knockout everyone to win doesn’t make him boring…a real fan understands that…and you think beating Rich isn’t a big deal?!?! The only other fighter to beat him is Anderson! Lyoto has nothing more to prove…If you think that Chuck deserves a title shot more??? He is WASHED UP…who the hell has that bum beat as of late to deserve the title shot? Oh thats right…NO ONE

Wanderlei Silva???

Go watch the Chuck/Wanderlei fight again…I still think that Silva won…and even if Chuck did win its not like he cruised to victory…it went to decision and Silva got screwed because everyone loves over-rated Chuckles..if he deserves a title shot then Elvis Sinosic should be a number one contender too! He deserves a title shot just as much as Chuckles

You are the only person who thinks Wandy won that fight, literally. Even Wandy has stated that he lost that fight, and if you watched that special on the Chuck/Wandy fight that aired during the Kimbo fight, Wandy even points out when he lost it.

thank you, i get the feeling we’re talking to a 15 year old here. did you even watch the fight??

LOL you contradict yourself my friend, if Chuck picks and chooses…then why the F would he WANT to fight RAMPAGE who whooped Chuck’s butt TWICE already??? Chuck aint afraid of nobody he may not deserve a title shot, but Chuck doesnt duck anyone and your wrong if you think that. READ the article in the post…he wants to fight FEDOR

Three times if you count PRIDE.

Yeah, he also beat that tomato can Couture. I can’t honestly give any credibility to statements made by a fan on the Insane Clown Posse.

You guys really make me laugh with all the Chuck hate. Sure he’s not the same fighter he used to be but he needs to go to Elite XC, Really? Chuck has beat Randy twice, Vitor Belfort, Tito Twice, Babalu twice, Guy Mezger, and Kevin Randleman to name a few. DaGrizzilyBear I am the biggest Wanderlei fan you will ever meet but Wandy didn’t beat Chuck. There was one point in the fight when Wandy rocked Chuck and Wandy might have won one round but Chuck easily won two. Machida or Thiago doesn’t have the Resume that Chuck Liddell has and that is the the bottom line but what is so funny about all of you Chuck haters is that 99.9% of you were fans of his but he loses a few fights and oh Chuck is a fat bum that needs to go to Elite Xc and fight Kimbo and blah blah blah. You same guys probably had Chuck as your wallpaper on your computer a couple years ago and was sporting your IceMan Affliction shirts. I beleive the correct terminology for you guys is BandWagonJumper.

If you count the Pride fight, this would be Rampage/Chuck 4.

How would it be Chuck/Rampage 4? They’ve only fought twice.