If Forrest beats Anderson Silva than I think he gets it for sure. If not than it’s probibly Shogun. The only other possibility I can imagine is Rich Franklin with a win over Wanderlei, but I doubt the UFC will give him a shot this soon after the Hendo loss.

I thought the same thing as soon as I read the title. Forrest vs. Anderson for number one contender, or Shogun.

Hey gang, back from the beach.

So let me get this straight… Rampage would rather be the coach on a retarded reality show for the rest of ’09 than fight for the coveted LHW title. He already turned down a fight with Rashad, so this is the second straight title shot he has passed up.

Rampage is clearly not confident in his ability to beat Machida, and for good reason. Lyoto would embarrass him almost as much as his joyride down the sidewalk last summer when he was hopped up on “energy drinks”.

And now I’m hearing Shogun will get a shot? Really? He got trounced by Forest, barely beat a Mark Coleman who wouldn’t pass the physical to work at IHOP, and KO’d a washed up and coked out Chuck Liddell.

I suppose there really aren’t any better contenders in the division right now, but this is a testamant to the weak matchmaking by the UFC in the LHW division this past year. They should have pitted more of the good LHWs like Jones and Cane against better opponents so they’d have a legit #1 contender on the backburner in case Rampage bitched out.

Which he most certainly has.

Dana said the opponent has ALREADY been pick, it can’t be forrest, wanderlei, or franklin. It’s Shoegun, it’s the name that’s the draw, not his past 2/3 fights

Shogun’s a joke of an opponent for Machida. Give him someone better…

I know you said this just to be a tool, but I feel inclined to say it anyway.

Shogun IMO is the best pick to beat Machida.. Many people think this, if memory serves me correct Sherdog recently did an article stating the same.

LOL good excuse to Duck Machida, who the f*ck turns down a title shot to fight someone who got in there face.

sho is no joke…. he’s finally comin back from the knee… sho in 0 … nine!!!

page ain’t bitchin out, he’s just preparing to give anderson some more competition at 185… which is where rashad will need to go after getting trounced by page…

just if cro cop could make the 205 mark

Rampage does?

Hey JeremyJackson WTF are you talking about Rampage turnng down a title shot already? This is the first time it has happend Rashad was the one who bitched out on fighting Rampage

Shogun is joke period. 2 horrible losses and one victory which was not totally convincing and he gets a title shot? I sure its someone more deserving.

I’m shocked that someone like Page would turn down a chance at the title that he claims is his just to waste 6 months of his life to settle a petty score with Evans. I’m not complaining though cause beating Page means Rashad will get another chance at Machida and hopefully he can redeem himself and come up with an origianl game plan this time instead of pissing away rounds. This is going to be the best season of TUF yet I bet since the original.

If Shogun is really getting a title shot then he better start training like he’s never trained before cause he is going to be in a war with Machida. It’s hard to guage what kind of chance someone like Shogun has. He looked like crap against Coleman and disposed of Chuck too quickly to really get a good read on where his cardio is at now. I hope he’s ready for a 5 round war cause that’s what he’s in for.

UFC Champ, it seems that you have a poor memory. Let me help you a little bit. He hasn’t LOST 2.. he has won 2. and secondly didn’t Lesnar get a shot at the title after a SINGLE win in the UFC? Lesnar is nowhere near the storied career of a Shogun.. At least one can argue a Shogun in shape is a major threat.

As for syd.. your just looking for attention..

You’re right Ray, I was thinking 2 horrible performances not losses.

And no, I didn’t agree with Lesner getting a shot so soon either.

I agree the Shogun of old was good, but the Shogun of new is not. Against Chuck we really couldn’t see if he was any better.

I’d like to point out that eventhough Lesnar didn’t have any MMA history at that point, he got the fight b/c of his wrestling fame, just like Shogun with his Pride fame.

Of note, just because some have got quick title shots (like Lesnar & A.Silva) doesn’t mean they should have and doesn’t support doing it again. These things have to be earned!

Jeremy-

Nice to have you back.

OJR-

Truth.

LOL. You guys are on a roll today…

Like playing with a new toy, huh?

Unbelievable I don’t care what shoguns past is, this isn’t deserved due to recent performances, if were living off his previous accomplishments, why not let Chuck finish his contract with a title shot? Ha ha. Ridiculous. The guy wouldn’t stand a chance. I say winner of a Silva/forest, fights winner of shogun vs rumble Johnson. That would be sweet, and then we gotta new face mixed in, and potential new star. Who ever emerges takes a shot @ current lhw holder, hence machida lol

Rumble is a welterweight. Are you thinking of Jon Jones perchance?

DICEMAN the tool — Where are you bro? Your boy didn’t even want to fight Machida (or as Rampage says, “La Cheetah”). It looks like Rampage is the one running. He had an opportunity for the title and chose to take another fight instead! HAHAHAHA

I guess this is addressed to pretty much everyone above.
You guys sound like a bunch of haters and bandwagoneers.
I think a title fight between Machida and Shogun makes perfect sense, to be honest i think Shogun is the only fighter at LHW right now with a shot at beating Machida. Seriously, this is a guy who was a consensus #1 on most rankings prior to his UFC debut, he comes in here on one leg, out of shape because he can’t train and holds his own for a round and a half before gassing, what do you expect from the guy. Fighting with a torn ACL isn’t easy, believe me i know. He’s sidelined for almost a year and then re-injures it, so it’s almost 2 years before he fights again and when he does he doesn’t look so good and all of a sudden everyone hates him? What do you expect after a year and a half on the bench, it’s going to take time to get to where he used to be. What i find so funny is everyone talks shit on Shogun for his poor performance against Coleman because Mark gassed and it took Shogun a while to finish him, no one talked shit on Forrest when it took him to the final buzzer to beat a one legged out of shape Shogun. On the contrary, all of a sudden he’s the man and even though he got KTFO in his previous fight against Jardine he gets a title shot. Shogun was clearly not yet in shape after his long layoff, goes in there and even though he’s as tired as Coleman he knocks him out and finishes the fight, what’s Forrests excuse for taking so long to finish an out of shape gimp? Just seems like a bit of a double standard. But I guess it’s to be expected, a year ago i’m on this site arguing about how Machida’s going to devour the LHW division and there was nothing but Machida hating going on and now everyones on the bandwagon.

Shogun’s knee injuries are irrelevant to this conversation. The point we are making is that with the exception of a good showing against an old Liddell, Shogun’s UFC performances have been terrible.

Of course the knee injuries affected his performance, but he doesn’t deserve a title shot because he had a hurt knee. He is not ready for Machida, he needs another win against a top 5 LHW first.

The sad thing is that Shogun is the UFC’s best option at this point because they didn’t set up enough good LHW fights betwwen top 10 guys this past year.

Inside Fights has the scoop:

We can now 100% confirm that Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is the plan for the next light heavyweight title fight. We haven’t pinned down an exact date or card, but it will take place in September or October.

the ufc does not care as much as we do about putting the best against the best. they often do end up doing this, but in thier minds here they have 3 huge matchups that they can market like crazy. machida/shogun in september will be the best vs the former #1. rashad/rampage will be 2 former champions who dislike each other fighting for a title shot. and then the thirrd being the winners. i could see it being machida/rampage- the new p4p king vs the man who just destroyed evans and now wants his title back. for a money standpoint this scenario makes perfect sense, from a fans point of view, we want to always see the best vs the best but is doesnt always happen (ie silva vs leites or cote)

The September event is 103, and I think that’s going to be in the UK. If so, the Shogun/Machida fight will be on October 24 at UFC 104, because they won’t put a big title fight on a UK card.

i was under the impression that the uk was not completely confirmed. either way lyoto machida’s website did say rampage at 103 in vegas, but now it says next fight and has a question mark over rampage. i could see them moving it to 104 in LA, but there are rumors going around that shogun signed a new contract yesterday and he was offered the title fight at 103 in vegas. so maybe they changed the venue, even though it was never offically announced

nice post cannibal, shogun haters are just plain ignorant of what the guy is capable of…

Hmmm, yeah, I just saw that there is no venue confirmed for 103. You’d think they’re going back to the UK soon though.

i think they may put on an event in november in the uk, and give it to us for free

SEriously! I am actually Happy! An IN SHAPE Shogun vs. Machida is Seriously one of my top 5 DReam fights, and I cant wait to see Rampage show all you bandwagon fans who have now written him off that he is head and shoulders above Rashad at this point in their careers!

Shogun doesnt DESERVE a title shot, but neither did Brock, Mir, Serra, and Forrest.

U guys r such haters. You all justified giving Forrest a title shot against page because he beat a hobbled Shogun. THATS all he did. Prior to that fight he got Koed by Jardine and then won a snoozefest against Sick dog….yet shogun coming off of 2 wins, and HEALTHY for his 1st time since coming into the UFC is not good enough for a title shot? FOCK OFF! Normally shogun hasnt deserved to fight for the title, but considering the circumstances…Its the best option. After all, he just beat the Iceman…I know Chuck is done but he was done before Rashad took his head off. Decapitating Chuck was good enough to get Suga a title shot, but its a CRIME to give Shogun one? U guys r too much!

IMO, we have two better match ups then what I anticipated. THese 2 fights will both be amazing, and all 4 fighters have the skills to legitimately represent the UFC LHW division….so in the end we will be left with mega fights and entertaining match ups….along with an amazing fighter has a champion. Doesnt sound 2 bad if you ask me.

btw, bitch at jOe silva….his match making is pathetic. All he cares about is making big money fights RIGHT NOW> He doesnt see the big picture and match up fights accordingly so we have clear cut contenders! I should seriously be awarded his damn job!

That’s funny brendan, I didn’t know title shots were awarded now based on what guys may or may not be “capable of”.

I guess it’s too much to ask that the guy actually PROVE he can fight like the Pride Shogun before he is awarded a shot at the biggest prize in the sport.

Besides, even the Pride Shogun would have been soundly schooled by Machida. Aggressive Muay Thai is not the answer to the Machida riddle.

RedDog-So what do you want me to do about it? If Machida is as good as you say then we get to see Rampage D-Bo Rashad in some black on black crime, and then face Machida. I’m cool with that. Oh no, I’m getting to be like Kevin and John, I’ve got people calling me out in threads I haven’t even posted in yet.

John, I am demanding monetary compensation for your repeated usage of the term “Cannoli Dwarf” without the expressed written consent of JJ Enterpreises, Ltd.

And your Pride nuthugging is as predictable as ever. Comparing Shogun and Rashad’s title shot situations is stupid. Rashad has NEVER looked as bad in a fight as Shogun’s first two UFC performances, and Rashad was undefeated! I don’t give a crap WHY Shogun looked bad, the point is he DID look bad, and he should have to prove he still has it.

It probably is the best match-up the UFC can put together right now, but with the possible exception of Forest, Shogun is the least deserving #1 contender in the LHW division in years.

And john, sometimes your posts read like an angry, red-faced little kid screaming at the top of his lungs. If you are really graduating college, I would expect more from you. Good luck on your Finals, BTW.

I think you may be upset that your boy Rampage (a fighter I am a fan of too) is clearly scared to fight Machida and is ducking him. An issue that I noticed you conveniently neglected to address in your above post.

Great post John, but the question is, is he in shape as of now? I hope so, but am not sure. I know he says he is, but if he wasn’t would he let his opponents know? If he is then I strongly believe he can get the W against Machida.

Rampage unavailable, I’ll grudgingly admit Shogun makes the most sense as the next opponent for Machida, somewhat by default. Preaching to the choir I realize, but I’m fed up with a reality show delaying, mucking up and holding hostage championship level fights. I realize the money component plays a major role, but the UFC needs to be careful not to damage the legitimacy of it’s title fights by some of the “back room deals” being struck in favor of the TUF series.

Man, this matchup is the stupidest one of out all the options they had. Rashad-shogun and Page-Machida makes more sense and throw actual heavyweight coaches for the HW tuf instead of this garbage. Now Shogun won’t get a stiffer test before going to machida and the rampage-evans winner is an automatic title contender? Then you got guys like jardine, thiago, griffin, and cane who are not ready to face any of those three. Shogun makes the most sense now after this which sucks because that;s a big fight that needs a lot of hype and preparation and i am not convinced that shogun will be ready for it.

Lokie-

Rampage was slated to fight Rashad at 96 and turned it down to get jaw surgery and he said he needed rest.

Apology accepted.

:-)

I don’t really have a problem with Shogun facing Machida. I don’t 100% think that he deserves a title shot yet, but I also think he is gonna get creamed, so he will not be the champ anyway. I don’t care how good Shogun looked in 2005, because he hasn’t looked great in 2007-09. It will be nice to see machida knock out not just 1, but both of the guys who beat Chuck after he should have hung them up.

Ray[J] Flaherty, I ain’t seekin’ your attention. I’m just sayin’ the truth. All you guys have visions of Shogun in his Pride form. But let me welcome you to 2009 boys. This is here and now. It’s all happenin’. What NameNotRequired said made the most sense when it came to match-ups. UFC doesn’t have to protect its fighters. Now WTF is up with that?!

JJ: “Comparing Shogun and Rashad’s title shot situations is stupid. Rashad has NEVER looked as bad in a fight as Shogun’s first two UFC performances, and Rashad was undefeated!”

Guess what, Rashad NEVER took a fight with a snapped ACL in one knee, and he never had to take a fight coming off of 2 knee surgeries and over a year long lay off! He dominated Chuck, while on the other hand, Rashad was losing until; he caught chuck and took his head off!

If he is in shape, which I think he will be since its an amazing opportunity for him and the fight is 5 months away, he will be Machida’s toughest competition that he could possibly face…Rampage being his 2nd toughest match up….after those 2 fight Machida, NO one else will even have a shot at beating him, so I suggest you guys stop bitching and enjoy Shogun vs. Machida and then Rampage vs. Machida….cause after that, there will be nothing but 1 sided mismatches available for Machida.

Everyone Ducks Machida….Some respect should be given to Shogun. He NEVER turns down a fight! He will fight anyone he is asked to fight regardless of the situation. YOU gotta RESPECT that!

DICEMAN the tool. No, you’re not like Kevin and John, you’re just a tool.

John, I don’t know what fight you were watching, but Shogun wasn’t exactly dominatig Chuck the way you put it. In fact, he pretty much won the same way that Rashad did. Chuck was very much in the fight before he got caught with a punch that never would have even made him blink his eyes when he was in his prime. It was a better fight than Rashad, because Rashad was down one round, but still very similar.

RedDog-you’re just an internet troll that obviously has no life. I mean if you have nothing better to do than to look for me online just to call me a tool I don’t really need to insult you. Your punishment is your life. Go get some friends, workout, drink a beer, get laid or any of the previous.

2 things
1st to JJ – No one said anything about Shogun deserving a title shot BECAUSE of his knee injury, but considering his performances IN SPITE of his injury and considering the justification for giving title shots to guys like Griffin and Rashad i don’t see it as that big of a deal. My point was simply that there seems to be a double standard here with regard to giving well known reality show stars title shots vs. lesser known fighters that are new to the UFC, how long did it take Machida to get a shot and had Page not backed out he still wouldn’t have got one.

2nd to natural – Shogun was definitely getting the better of Chuck, far more effective than Rashad was in his fight with Chuck. every time Chuck threw the left he got tagged by an overhand right, he was getting picked apart and it was just a matter of time. Rashad just threw a well timed punch but in no way was he winning any aspect of that fight up to that punch.

DICEMAN — You live angry on this site. Getting under your skin was too easy. If you can’t handle name calling, maybe you shouldn’t do it to others. You’re lesson is over. Peace.

^This. Building his brand is much more important than holding the belt again. I shouldn’t have to elaborate.

Um yeah, you kind of do need to elaborate.

The best way to “build your brand” (something Rampage has already done BTW) is to beat the hottest fighter out there right now, for the title, in the blockbuster main event of a PPV.

The ONLY reason for Rampage not to go this route is if he believes he will be soundly defeated, and he wants to milk his time as a top contender for all it’s worth.

Rampage is wasting another 8 months of his physical prime for a stupid show which is rapidly losing popularity. Terrible move.

The hottest fighter? Personally Huerta gets me all hot n` bothered.. But whatever floats your boat man.

Har har.

;-)

It sounds cliche, but think of it from a marketing standpoint. He will be in our face, on our tv sets every week for the run of the season not counting the countless TUF commercials. That’s brand equity. That’s infinitely more important than winning the title (again) and holding it. Rampage has a natural presence that guys who have held belts for a long time (hi, Anderson), don’t have, and he is capitalizing on it. Do you think Jordan was content to win his 6 rings and ride off into the sunset?

Ridiculous. To say being a coach on an idiotic reality show is “infinitely more important than winning the title (again) and holding it” is delusional nuthuggery at its finest.

Rampage becomes the MAN if he beats Machida, nobody gives a crap about season 10 of a show aimed at teenagers.

The excuses people are making for Rampage in this thread are hilarious. The only logical excuse that’s been presented (apart from the truth, which is that Rampage is straight-up ducking Machida) is CL’s assertion that Rampage is broke again and needs money NOW.

Rampage has already done the show, and he is one of the UFC’s most recognizeable and marketed fighters. Not fighting for almost a year HURTS his “brand equity”, it doesn’t help it.

And I really fail to see how that Jordan analogy pertains to Rampage.

ya but maybe Rampage values brand equity more than the title…we may not like it but whoever said its for $$ is probably right…and ya that Jordon analogy was tough to figure out :cool:

So we all agree that the Jordan reference doesn’t make any sense? Good, I was just checking. haha

He reminds me De La Hoya actually.

De la Hoya was ridiculously talented, a warrior who would stand and trade, a fighter who never ducked anybody, and a class act.

So that is a truly terrible comparison IMO.

Although I wouldn’t be overly surprised to see pictures of Tito in womens’ underwear surface in the future.

yes it is because De La Hoya is a boxer, Tito is a fighter that’s best on the ground and when he gets to dictate the pace..

It’s a perfect comparison for De La Hoya’s 2nd half career

who, if not Shogun then

that’s what I have been thinking McArthur….. who else at 205 is available now? Rua would be all I can think of. Unless Lyoto gets like the rest of the year off.

Im tired of everyone saying chuck is passed his prime…i have been one of his biggest fans but even at that i knew he was just fighting grapplers back in the day…..now that he is fighting top level strikers like himself he is getting beat. (even in his prime rampage whooped him) the game is different mma has evolved there are wrestlers and bjj fighters now that can stand and trade. give chuck Grapplers with no stand up like before and i bet he is a winner again.

Wax, you have a legit point about Chuck beating grapplers with no stand-up during his big string of victories… but it’s not just the fans who say he’s past his prime, it’s the calendar.

Dude is almost 40 years old. That means he is without a doubt at least five years past his optimal physical performance period. Yes, you can compete at a high level and be in great shape at that age, but that is assuming you take great care of yourself and don’t party regularly.

When I was watching Chuck’s blogs before the Rua fight I noticed that he moves and talks more slowly now, and that he walks like an old man… like Nog on TUF last season.

Chuck is done. He had a great career and some wicked highlight reel KO’s, but he’s been too hard on his body and it’s all caught up with him now.

chuck is past his prime!!

^nope! Just because some other internet warriors say so doesn’t make it true. Liddell has some fight left if he tightens up his $hit!

At forty chuck needed to tighten up his $hit about ten years ago. Guy is a great fighter, but his last five or so fights have not been very kind to him. Not everyone can be a Randy Couture.

mikey ur right bro and before machida got to rashad Tito would have beat him if it wasn’t for the point deduction

This isn’t Pride! Forget those days… no more soccer kicks to people’s head!

besides, the winner of Hendo & Bisping fight A.Silva so he will have to come back down to middlewight for that.

Sorry Chuck was getting whooped left and right.

Chuck wasnt gettinh whooped either

It was a close fight before Chuck got KO’d

I agree. Shoot….I’ve heard Rampage many times since the Forrest loss talk about how important it is to get the belt back…..and now this?? I do consider Rampage a warrior but something else is going on. My guess is it’s a money issue, and Rampage is getting sifnificantly more dough by going this route. Kind of sad as he’s the clearcut #1 contender, but money has a way of messing most things up.

Knowone complained this much when florian foughtt Stevenson instead of hanging around for bj, I know it different circumstances but I say fair play to rampage,. Rashad called him out and now he is gonna be facing a second straight lose.

Kill-Flo wanted a fight just so he wouldn’t have a long lay-off. Rampage is voluntarily vacating a title shot to settle a personal score. Apples and oranges, sir.

I’m sorry but outside of Pride when did Shogun become a contender? He beat two old men who should be retired and now he’s a contender?

he always was a contender he just needed to get back in shape.

Well said Roy.. People are quick to forget past fights. Shogun 2years ago was in my peoples eyes unbeatable. There’s no reason to think an in-shape Shogun couldn’t do the same in the UFC.

Everyone knows he “could” do it. Its a matter of actually doing it… He is a totally different fighter imo. I hope its a good fight. At least shogun will be done if he doesnt come to really fight

Why would he be done? Losing to two guys(Champions at that)? He would be 2-2.

What u talkin bout Willis? Coleman wasn’t going to fight Machida.. he was going to DESTROY him.

ya…haha…he saw some holes :lol:

you can’t compare the MW division to the LHW division.

and you mentioned two fights that were disasters which actually supports my point of shogun not being ready.

Leites had five consecutive UFC wins when he got his title shot. Cote had four straight. And the LHW division is much deeper than the MW division, so shogun should have an easier time getting quality opponents.

….um I just did…

Yeah they were disasters Ok so please do tell who you would rather have fight for the strap? I agree Shogun doesn’t deserve it (see below post) but I honestly donno who else could. Luiz Cane? Even tho his UFC recored is better he hasn’t fought anybody as high in the rankings as Chuck (even with him being “washed up”). Anyways Ill agree with you but you gotta give me more than “he doesn’t deserve it”.

Yeah he did have 5 wins. Even had one victory of note…and it was split on that.

Anyways maybe that was a bad comparison, I am deeply sorry and will hopefully burn in hell for it but the question still stands…Who else?

first of all, you should burn in hell.

second of all and after going through the list of LHW’s on UFC’s website, there isnt a lot of contenders floating around. too many this guy beat that guy then got beat by this guy so i don’t have a suggestion better than shogun.

all i know is shoguns last two performances make a fight with machida something i wouldnt pay for.

Neat.

Good point PW – you obviously know hardly anything about business then. Last I heard, the UFC is letting the less active fighters go, yet a punching bag like Houston Alexander is still in the organization. Why, ratings equal revenue. Machida will not carry PPV events to desired numbers.

You’ve got a good knowledge of the WWE though. Does your mommy still put coins under your pillow when you lose a tooth?

Machida can and will carry PPV numbers just fine. I’m pretty suring laying out Rashad in under two rounds didn’t hurt his popularity or fan base. Also, I wouldn’t call Houston Alexander a punching bag. Do you even know how the hell he loses fights? It’s by being taken to the ground and submitted.

Ouch DF. Pwned twice in one thread.

Actually I just noticed that Houston has one submission. I’m wrong again. I usually am wrong but I’ll post so many times I must eventually be right, right? Anyway, I love the sport because the guys don’t wear shirts and there is a lot of manly contact. I get so worked up about blogging I just can’t control myself. Sort of like when I watch MMA. I know it all, yet I don’t get paid from my brilliant observations. Anyway, for UFC 99 I’ll be at the local Wild Wings or Boston Pizza in the booth by myself drinking unlimited (you pay for the first one and then nothing else) ginger ales and teaching everyone what MMA is about.

BTW – it is true, the movie I Am Sam was based on me. That and the movie Milk

what it means is that everyone isn’t going to spout off that “Machida’s gonna knock that guy out” before every fight!

With Rampage, EVERYONE who favors him to win, they say that he will KO his opponent.

You apparently missed the point that I was trying to make which is that most people expect Rampage to KO people but lately he hasn’t been able to do this.