Post by The Sandman on Oct 27, 2022 10:40:57 GMT -5
Pre-ManMMA 67
(All of this is subject to change)
For the purposes of transparency, I'm posting a brief update on some upcoming title pictures, because they have become muddy (in a good way - nothing in life is simple). And for anyone wondering why I posted this, when a lot of divisions just say things like "It's muddy, we will see how some upcoming fights unfold" - it's because now is when those division's title shots are being planned. So in most of those cases, those write-ups are there because no clear #1C fight has emerged at the time I would typically be planning one on the season schedule.
Heavyweight
- Current #1 Contender: Velasquez (won #1C fight at ManMMA 65)
After that, excluding Fedor, who just fought for a belt at ManMMA 60, everyone in the top 10 is coming off a loss and somewhat-recently fought for the belt. So while that sorts itself out, I think we'll actually head into the 10th-14th ranks for a contender. But since there are 4 guys completely evenly deserving of a chance, all with similar records, rankings, and win streaks, I think we're gonna go old-school tournament here between Shamrock, Hunt, Tuivasa, and Sylvia. Tournament will start at ManMMA 67, and proceed as they typically have in the past.
Middleweight
- Current #1 Contender: Machida (won #1C fight at ManMMA 63)
On Deck - Bisping, (won #1C fight at ManMMA 66)
Welterweight
- Current #1 Contender: Georges St-Pierre (won #1C fight at ManMMA 64)
Now, after him the only other fighters in the top 10 who need fights soon are Rory MacDonald and Usman. Since Usman just fought for the belt at ManMMA 60, I would like him to beat 1 other fighter before getting another shot. But right now, Rory, ranked 7, matches up nicely with Jon Fitch. So as it sits, I think we will have to wait and see how Fitch-MacDonald unfolds. Ranks 3-6 all coming off a loss and all having had a title shot recently, that fight might end up being the #1C fight, since Fitch hasn't had a shot since ManMMA 34, and if Rory wins, he will be on our biggest WW win streak inside the top 10. So that's our strongest possibility right now. But it is still a little muddy, we will see how some other high-ranked fights in this division pan out.
Lightweight
- Current #1 Contender: Petr Yan (won #1C fight at ManMMA 64)
After Yan, the LW picture gets messy. Jung and Edgar are both highly ranked, and coming off wins, but Jung has 2 fights this season, and Edgar has 1. Since this fight would take place at either ManMMA 67 or ManMMA 70, the timing of this is bad. Jung just fought, so having him fight back-to-back when he has already fought twice is not great. And I would like to get Edgar a fight before 70. So, since Jung beat top-ranked Jose Aldo, is on a win streak, and hasn't had a title fight since ManMMA 28, I'm foregoing the ManMMA 67 LW #1C fight, and putting Jung on deck for title shot. Edgar will fight sooner, as he is supposed to, and may still end up fighting for #1C at 70, depending on how things unfold.
Bantamweight
- Current #1 Contender: Cyborg (won #1C fight at ManMMA 65)
- Likely next #1C will be Carano vs. Holm, as Carano is highest ranked fighter on a win streak, and Holm is on a 4 fight win streak. Neither has fought for the belt, according to my records...though that feels incorrect. Fight will likely take place at ManMMA 68.
Flyweight
- Current #1 Contender: Shevchenko (won #1C fight at ManMMA 63)
Followed by Rose Namajunas, won #1C at ManMMA 66. Clean and tidy for now.
(All of this is subject to change)
For the purposes of transparency, I'm posting a brief update on some upcoming title pictures, because they have become muddy (in a good way - nothing in life is simple). And for anyone wondering why I posted this, when a lot of divisions just say things like "It's muddy, we will see how some upcoming fights unfold" - it's because now is when those division's title shots are being planned. So in most of those cases, those write-ups are there because no clear #1C fight has emerged at the time I would typically be planning one on the season schedule.
Heavyweight
- Current #1 Contender: Velasquez (won #1C fight at ManMMA 65)
After that, excluding Fedor, who just fought for a belt at ManMMA 60, everyone in the top 10 is coming off a loss and somewhat-recently fought for the belt. So while that sorts itself out, I think we'll actually head into the 10th-14th ranks for a contender. But since there are 4 guys completely evenly deserving of a chance, all with similar records, rankings, and win streaks, I think we're gonna go old-school tournament here between Shamrock, Hunt, Tuivasa, and Sylvia. Tournament will start at ManMMA 67, and proceed as they typically have in the past.
Middleweight
- Current #1 Contender: Machida (won #1C fight at ManMMA 63)
On Deck - Bisping, (won #1C fight at ManMMA 66)
Welterweight
- Current #1 Contender: Georges St-Pierre (won #1C fight at ManMMA 64)
Now, after him the only other fighters in the top 10 who need fights soon are Rory MacDonald and Usman. Since Usman just fought for the belt at ManMMA 60, I would like him to beat 1 other fighter before getting another shot. But right now, Rory, ranked 7, matches up nicely with Jon Fitch. So as it sits, I think we will have to wait and see how Fitch-MacDonald unfolds. Ranks 3-6 all coming off a loss and all having had a title shot recently, that fight might end up being the #1C fight, since Fitch hasn't had a shot since ManMMA 34, and if Rory wins, he will be on our biggest WW win streak inside the top 10. So that's our strongest possibility right now. But it is still a little muddy, we will see how some other high-ranked fights in this division pan out.
Lightweight
- Current #1 Contender: Petr Yan (won #1C fight at ManMMA 64)
After Yan, the LW picture gets messy. Jung and Edgar are both highly ranked, and coming off wins, but Jung has 2 fights this season, and Edgar has 1. Since this fight would take place at either ManMMA 67 or ManMMA 70, the timing of this is bad. Jung just fought, so having him fight back-to-back when he has already fought twice is not great. And I would like to get Edgar a fight before 70. So, since Jung beat top-ranked Jose Aldo, is on a win streak, and hasn't had a title fight since ManMMA 28, I'm foregoing the ManMMA 67 LW #1C fight, and putting Jung on deck for title shot. Edgar will fight sooner, as he is supposed to, and may still end up fighting for #1C at 70, depending on how things unfold.
Bantamweight
- Current #1 Contender: Cyborg (won #1C fight at ManMMA 65)
- Likely next #1C will be Carano vs. Holm, as Carano is highest ranked fighter on a win streak, and Holm is on a 4 fight win streak. Neither has fought for the belt, according to my records...though that feels incorrect. Fight will likely take place at ManMMA 68.
Flyweight
- Current #1 Contender: Shevchenko (won #1C fight at ManMMA 63)
Followed by Rose Namajunas, won #1C at ManMMA 66. Clean and tidy for now.
