We all know that Anderson Silva is the most dominate MW in the world.  Has set the UFC record for longest winning  streak (10), tied for the most consecutive title defenses (5), and has remained unbeaten for over 4 years.  Due to his overwhelming dominance, Silva currently resides at or near the top of every MMA Pound 4 Pound ranking.  But what if A.S. were to suddenly vanish?  The UFC MW landscape would change dramatically.  With that in mind, who would rule the UFC's MW division in a world without the Spider?  Time find out, Tournament style...

We will poll each fight individually, for 1 day, beginning with opening round Match #1.  MMA Mania has the most knowledgeable MMA online community, so please feel free to post your pick in the comments along with your analysis of how you see the fights breaking down.  Hopefully this will give us something to do on slow news days.

Match #2 was a runaway victory for the Axe Murderer.  Wandy came away with 91% of the vote (The highest winning  percentage in three tourneys).  Looks like Leben had no answer for Wandy's unique combination of aggression and power.  Wanderlei now moves on to the QFs where he will meet his pupil and training partner, Damien Maia.  Will the student teach the master some new tricks, or will the Axe Murderer prove once again that their is no substitute for experience?

                                                            QF1      1 C. Sonnen

Match #1:    8 Yoshihiro Akiyama                    9 P. Cote

                   9 Patrick Cote

                                                            QF2      4 D. Maia                                                                           

Match #2:   5 Wanderlei Silva                          5 W. Silva

                12 Chris Leben

                                                            QF3      3 V. Belfort

Match #3:    6 Yushin Okami                            Winner of 6/11

                 11 Dan Miller

                                                            QF4      2  N. Marquardt

Match #4:    7 Michael Bisping                         Winner of 7/10

                 10 Alan Belcher

Match # 3 is a matchup of 2 tough and well rounded fighters.  Okami comes into the fight fresh off his loss to tournament favorite Chael Sonnen.  Okami took the right approach following the loss, and sought out Chael's assistance in shoring up the very weaknesses that Sonnen had exposed.  Likewise, Miller also comes in on down note, having lost his last 2 to Maia and Sonnen.  Miller was recently awarded his BJJ black belt, and may look to test his ground game against a physically stronger Okami.  This fight could be one of the few matchups to display a full mix of MMA tactics, styles, and positions. 

So lets hear it Maniacs.  Who would rule the day, in a world without Anderson Silva?  Will the favorites move on, or will we see an underdog rise to the top?  You decide.