The Light Heavywieght Division

 The Light Heavywieght dvision might be the most exciting, drama filled, entertaining wieght class in all of the UFC. Its filled with many big names and great storylines. There is sure to be plenty of action within the next year or two that will keep fight fans entertained. These are some of the Storylines that I think will unfold in the near future:

The Jones/Evans Fued

 Once were friends..now sworn enemies. This might be the most entertaining fued in the ufc right now. Jones has the belt as of now and really, looks unstoppable. The two were supposed to fight at UFC 133, but Jones "ducked" evans....according to evans. it appears now that jones will either fight rampage, if he gets past hamill convincingly, or machida. Evans has a date with Phil Davis now at UFC 133. If evans is to get past him..he is a sure bet to most likely get the next crack at the title.

The Rampage Mystery

Rampage Jackson is an enigma to most. Many people cant stand his training habbits and his antics outside of the octagon. Many believe hes not focused on fighting anymore and is only trying to collect a paycheck. whether or not any of that is true the man has had success and is a force in the LHW division. He has a very important date with Matt Hamill at UFC 130 this saturday in Vegas. Once again if he wins in impressive or at least decent fashion...I believe he will get the next crack at the belt. Now while a win against Jones is unlikely, a loss doesnt spell the end at all. If rampageis somehow to win that fight against jones, then he'll go the champion route and defend his belt. But if he loses, which i feel is way more likely, he has plenty of options. Due to his history and longevity in this sport, rampage has alot of beef and bad blood with many current 205 lbers. Here are some of the routes i feel he coud go:

Rampage vs.Rashad 2- Lots of bad blood and a somewhat snoozefest of a first fight. What better than a second fight to settle the score!!! Big Money Fight for both

Rampage vs Shogun 2- they fought back in pride a couple years ago. Shogun dismantled Page...one cant help the rematch would be alot more competitive.

Rampage vs Forrest 2- Fought for the belt a while back...close decision but nethertheless an entertaining fight. Who wouldnt want to see a rematch????

AND................Rampage vs.....Chael Sonnen- Its defintly a long shot, Sonnen has expressed some interset in this fight...cmon this would be awesome.

The Machida Era.....Part 2??

Maybe..Many felt he won his UFC 123 matchup with Mr. Jackson. And he's coming of a Knockout of the Year performance against Randy Couture. Whether or not you want to put any stock in his win against the natural, you cant deny he is a nightmare for anyone that has to fight him. (except maybe shogun hahah) but still,many feel his stlye and elusiveness can give the current champ many fits. And while that might be true, Machida is kinda in limbo right now. He has no fight scheduled as of now and no one to fight. That could all change if Rampage loses to Hamill. Regardless of what many think about the fight at 123, it wouldnt be right for machida to get the title shot over page first. So he has two options right now:

Rampage loses to Hamill, Machida fights Bones for the Title

Or

Rampage beat hamill, fights jones, Machida then fights maybe the loser of Evans/davis or maybe ryan bader if he defeats ortiz.............when he defeats ortiz LOL

Ahhhhh The Former Champ Shogun

Poor shogun, everyone on this site hadhis back and was rooting for him against the EVIL Jones. (me included) Shogun obviously has the tools and skills to dominate almost anyone on any given night, His achilles though has been his health. He has had multiple knee operations that has held him back. Some feel that was a huge factor in his title fight at 128 (i dont) but still. Mr. Rua has an upcoming fight against Forrest Griffin. A win, and he can avenge his UFC debut loss, and also climb back up the 205lb ladder. He has stated many times after his fight with jones that he will be back and will be looking for the title. One cant deny the will of rua, or his talent. But we'll just have to see how far he goes....

The Young Bucks

Ryan Bader and Phil Davis.....two talented and young lhw mix martial artist. It would seem like they wuld have every thing going for them. But it just so happens that there is a YOUNGER and more TALENTED figher in the division. AND he already has the strap. Man...these two have a daunting task ahead of them, but there both good enough to have some success. Bader already fought jones. AND while many feel Jones destroyed bader, I disagree. I feel that Bader knew what he was up against but just succumbed to massive nerves. Jones wasnt able to unleash his ground and pound as well as he usually does. And I dont feel Bader did that bad against him physically. Call me crazy but I think he does alot better in a future rematch, if that ever happens. But as Of now, Darth has a matchup with Tito Ortiz. If he is able to win, bigger matchups in the division will come. So Bader just need to get back on the horse. Now for Mr. Davis...he has a great opportunity in front of him.A date with Rashad Evans at UFC 133. With a win, He might just the the next shot at the ttle after page or machida. I feel this is a win/win for him. Because with a loss to evans, most will feel that he just wasnt ready. And if that is the case, then he will just have to start up a new winning streak...maybe with Rayn Bader himself, or the loser of Shogun/ Griffin.

Now the Wildcard...Forrest Griffin

The Ulimate Fighter!!! Forrest Griffin doesnt really need any introduction . He's coming off a nice win over Rich Franklin. He now has an upcoming fight against shogun in Rio. Now i feel this is a crossroad for Griffin. Lose, and he will forever be a gatekeeper from now on, fighting mostly novelty fights. But if he is to win, he might just become a no. 1 contender again. Of course, more wins after shogun will be necessary if he is to ever become one again. Call me crazy...but i feel Forrest might matchup well with Jones. He wont have a size disadvanage against jones, that just about every top LHW does. And while you can always bring up the Silva fight, Jones isnt that type of striker. He's an amazing striker, just not the type that i feel will get Forrest into big trouble. Well have to see what the future holds for the original Ultimate Fighter Winner.

Now...what i feel will happen...

Rapage beats hamill at UFC 130, not sure how, but he does it in decent fashion

Ryan Bader dismantles Ortiz

Evans experience is too much for davis..UD's him

Forrest griffin out works shogun once gain...wins via close UD

Rampage fights Jones for the belt...while page fights valiantly...he comes up short. Rampage now goes on End of Career tour..

Jones and Evans finally meet, breaks UFC ppv ratings...Jones dismantles evans

Jones Will run the division for many years to come