MATT E

With his sixth straight victory and fourth successful title defense, Anderson Silva has created one big mess in the UFC’s middleweight division. After all, after defeating Dan Henderson at Saturday’s UFC 82 event, what’s possibly next?

We briefly explored the topic in a special piece for today’s Dayton Daily News.

Entering this past weekend’s event in Columbus, Ohio, Henderson was widely regarded as the fighter most likely to dethrone Silva. And while he gave the Brazilian a handful in the first round of their main-event fight, Silva eventually ended it via rear-naked choke in the second.

In a post-event press conference, UFC president Dana White discussed some of the options. Well, he didn’t so much discuss the options as he was bombarded with questions about them. Everyone wants to know what’s next for the world’s undisputed top 185-lb. fighter.

A few options I mentioned in the Dayton Daily News included:

Yushin Okami: With a stunning knockout of Evan Tanner at UFC 82, Okami would seem to be the logical choice to fight Silva next. With a 6-1 mark in the UFC and a previous victory over Silva (via disqualification from an illegal kick at a 2006 Rumble on the Rock event), Okami has undoubtedly earned the title shot. However, the Japanese fighter is just now starting to gel with fans, but even Dana White acknowledged that his fighting style has likely hindered his popularity. White mentioned the bout as a possibility but wouldn’t go as far as confirming it. The bigger question, though, is whether the UFC can effectively market this fight. Luckily, the organization is so full of talent that a single main event no longer needs to carry an entire UFC show. However, much like Silva’s fight with Travis Lutter, the bout could end up feeling like a mere annoyance — rather than a legit challenge — since Silva will likely be so heavily favored.
Nate Marquardt: As I mentioned in the Dayton Daily News story, Marquardt failed miserably in his first Silva fight back at UFC 73. However, his strength — submissions — is Silva’s only marginal weakness. However, like the Okami fight, this one could be difficult to market.
Quinton Jackson: A fight with the UFC’s light heavyweight champion is possible — but probably not anytime soon. White and UFC matchaker Joe Silva would likely want to exhaust all other options before scheduling this bout and sacrificing one of the organization’s champs.
Rich Franklin: Silva has dominated him twice, and a third fight is unlikely. Still, Silva says Franklin has been his toughest challenge in the UFC, and the former champ has a big following.
Paulo Filho: A fight with the WEC middleweight champ is a pipe dream. Filho and Silva are training partners and unwilling to fight each other. Silva said as much at Saturday’s press conference.
I had to abide by a word count for the Dayton Daily News, but I can discuss some other possibilities here on MMAjunkie.com.

Matt Hughes: Hughes would have to move up a weight class, and despite a recent loss to Georges St. Pierre in December, he could resurrect his career with a victory. Yet, a loss wouldn’t do much to tarnish an already-remarkable resume. Hughes could frustrate Silva with his ground game, but the size and reach disadvantage would be noticeable.
The “Other” Guys: They’re not totally deserving, and the UFC would have to get creative with marketing the bouts (possibly taking the fights to the challengers’ hometowns), but UFC middleweights such as Michael Bisping, Patrick Cote, Ricardo Almeida, Ed Herman and Thales Leites are options. Not ideal options — but options nonetheless.
Matt Lindland: Forget it. As TAGG Radio and MMAjunkie.com previously reported, Lindland said that the UFC refused his request even to negotiate a possible deal. Since then, he’s reportedly signed with some mystery organization.


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MATT E

Not that i think thay anyone on this list is capable of beating him at this point heres who i think is the most suitable for the fight.

Yushin Okami, he has proved that he is capable of keeping his composure in all of his fights. Why is this good? Unlike Franklin, Henderson, and Marquardt; Yushin wont pursue Anderson around the ring, he will slowly work his way towards Anderson, or he will let Anderson come to him. Hes extremely strong with good enough wrestling to keep Anderson down, he is also the Japenese Abhu Dabi champion which shows he has very good submission defence. He also has the condition and endurance to take this fight to later rounds where he could squeeze out a decision or maybe a late late stoppage.

Once again I wouldn't pick Okami at this point, i just think his style COULD be the best to dethrone Anderson at this point until GSP or possibly Hughes moves up, or Hendo and Marquardt get their rematch.

recently.reaped

my problem with Okami is he's a slow starter and I think Silva will pick him apart early if he doesn't hit the octagon running.

he's the most logical choice though because everyone else at 185 has been destroyed by Silva. Most likely he will have to move to 205 to be challenged...

of course if Wand drops down to 185, it could be very interesting.

I'd love to see the UFC get Dennis Kang, that would be a great matchup as would Matt lindland but that will never happen so long as Dana holds such a huge grudge with him.

Jamie

Paulo Filho.

He's under contract with Zuffa. People say he's sucked in the WEC etc, but he's a fucking powerhouse that can take Anderson down and his BJJ is a lot higher level than anyone Andersons really fought recently.. Still not sure he'd beat him though.

MATT E

Paulo Filho and Anderson are good friends and train together. They have stated in the past that they would not fight each other. Thats the reason that Filho went to the WEC instead of the ufc. I still don't think Filho would beat him, stylistically they don't match up very well, Anderson would pick him apart on the feet with tons of reach and Filho doesn't have the greatest takedowns.

ForrestCouture448

I really think Okami and Marquardt are the top contenders. Probably see Silva fight Okami next and then Nate will get his rematch. Both looked pretty impressive in their last fights, but Silva is a machine and is going to be very hard for anyone to beat.

jackxj220

at the moment theres no one in the middlewieght that could beat silva, some might give him a good fight for a round or two but there is no one that could actualy even last a 5 round decision.

i think the best challage is fif he goes up a wieght or someone mentioned b4 about matt hughes or gsp moving up, i think matt hughes has the skill to beat him, if matt hughes took to the ground game straight away, hed be the toughest for anderson,
hughes is a powerhouse but is so eager to ko someone its throwin his game. if he stuck to what he knows best, hed give anderson a battle.

MATT E

Hughes would give Anderson a battle but think of the reach Silva has on him, and the punishment Hughes would take before securing that takedown. Anderson's style just poses so many different problems and in different ways, if he doesn't have you beat here theres always another way out. I think with out question GSP is the man for the job, he would take him down at will and would avoid alot of punishment, he also has some of the best control on the ground that we haven't seen in to many other fighters.