With only one fight remaining on his UFC contract — and no extension yet to be agreed upon — it looks like more and more likely that Brandon Vera (8-0) will not fight heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia (23-2) at UFC 68 as earlier rumored.
Instead, according to Sherdog.com, Gabriel Gonzaga (7-1) -- a jiu-jitsu blackbelt Grand Prix champion in Brazil -- might get a crack at the title on March 3 in Columbus, Ohio.
Everyone who wants to see this fight, raise your hands ... anyone?
Gonzaga — who is 3-0 in the Octagon — looked impressive in his most recent fight at UFC 66, submitting Carmelo Marrero (6-1) via armbar in round one. While in the UFC, he has also knocked out Kevin Jordan (6-5) at UFC 56 and took care of Fabiano Scherner (5-4) via technical knockout at UFC 60.
His only career loss is to Fabricio Werdum (9-2-1) -- the #7 ranked heavyweight in the world, according to MMAWeekly.com.
There's been speculation that Vera might jump ship and head over to PRIDE or another MMA organization here in the states such as Elite Xtreme Combat.
Although it looks unlikely, anything is possible. For more details check out a recent post on UFCJunkie.com.
The match up between Gonzaga and Sylvia would be a formality at best. The real showdown -- the one that most fans are looking forward to -- is the one between Sylvia and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (21-4-2).
And if Cro Cop beats Eddie Sanchez (6-0) at UFC 67 (he will) on February 3, and Sylvia beats Gonzaga or Vera at UFC 68, it's going to happen.
Regardless of how it shapes up, I'd be stunned if Cro Cop isn't the UFC heavyweight champion by mid-year.
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