UFC Welterweight Title Discussion

[Kris P Lettus]

Here is how I think it should break down..

-GSP vs Hendricks for the title

-Condit rematching Diaz for a contender spot

-Rory fighting Kampman

-Maia is fighting Fitch

-Ellenberger vs Kos

After the winner of GSP/Hendricks faces the winner of Daiz/Condit, you have a wide open field of contenders.. I don't think Rory is ready yet.. Sure he has looked good so far in the UFC but in the UFC 2 of his 5 wins were against 155ers (Penn, Diaz) and other than them, he hasn't beaten any contenders.. He needs a signature win over another contender like a Kampman, Fitch, Maia, etc..

If they do give Diaz the shot at GSP and Rory gets Condit, Hendricks will sit out.. He might could fight the winner of Rory/Condit if time permits..

Thought??

p.s. You also need to throw Matt Browns's name in there as he has won 5 of his last 6..

[Crimson]

Maia/Fitch would seem like a borefest but they have looked good recently.

Diaz' camp has said they don't want a Condit rematch from last I read. They just want the big fights ,GSP or Silva(lol).

So Dana has somewhat of a tough choice of giving it to Hendricks or Diaz

[Kris P Lettus]

They said they want it to be Diaz, but then Hendricks will get fucked.. Diaz should be scared of Condit cause Condit nullified his boxing..

[MoFo]

Seems a bit too soon for a possible Condit/GSP rematch (assuming they won), I'd book the Rory Mac/Condit II & GSP/Hendricks.

No idea who would be good for Diaz to fight, Fitch is always highly ranked but tied up, and the Kos fight which was rumoured for him seems terrible to me. Someone like a Diego Sanchez who'll make for a good fight while still losing seems good to set up him vs GSP.

[MoFo]

Jake Shields and Hendricks were having a back and forth on Twitter a couple of days ago, doesnt make sense but I wonder if that will get made

[Next Big Thing]

They said they want it to be Diaz, but then Hendricks will get fucked.. Diaz should be scared of Condit cause Condit nullified his boxing..

Condit's last win over him wasn't that impressive. Dana initially ordered a rematch until Diaz pissed hot and Rogan admitted after watching the fight again that Nick should have won. I don't want to see that match again and it doesn't make sense for that to be a contender's fight since no one would want to see Condit fight GSP so soon if he did win.

I'm pretty sure the UFC will do GSP/Diaz because of all the potential WW matchups, that fight will probably draw the best and have the biggest buyrate. Zuffa probably wouldn't want to risk that being screwed up by Diaz potentially losing a contender's fight.

Hendricks sitting out would be a mistake and it's stupid when fighters do that. Evans ended up waiting almost 2 years, and Hendo pulled out b/c he wasn't 100% and now he may never get a shot. I think Hendricks versus MacDonald would be the most logical #1 Contender's matchup and if they put that on the same card as GSP/Diaz, it would be a sick night of fights. Plus I want to see "Big Rigg" turn off Rory's lights.

Rory calling out Condit is pretty stupid as well. I get wanting to avenge your loss, but if you really want to be a champion, the quickest route would be to fight Hendricks, not the guy who just got dominated by the champ his last title fight.

Jake Shields is too one dimensional and would probably get knocked the fuck out like Fitch so I don't want to see Hendricks/Shields at all.

[Next Big Thing]

By the way, I think Rory's turn into White Jon Jones will be complete once he suddenly decides that he would fight teammate/mentor GSP in the same fashion that JBJ changed his stance on fighting Rashad. He will be hated in the U.S. for acting like a jackass against B.J. and hated in Canada for going against GSP. The similarities between Rory Mac and JBJ are astonishing.

[Kris P Lettus]

During the post fight presser he at first was like "if that's what it takes to get the title" then quickly changed to "I wouldn't fight GSP, we are too good of friends"..

And yes, I would love to see Hendricks K Rory the fuck O..

[RP]

I wasnt impressed by Rory. He had about 20 chances to finish BJ and for whatever reason he just didnt. He's quick, but geez, BJ must have the most incredible chin ever or Rory doesnt pack a punch. I dunno. Just wasnt impressed.

[Kris P Lettus]

BJ has never been KO'ed..

Diaz and GSP did fuck him up though..

[Crimson]

I wasnt impressed by Rory. He had about 20 chances to finish BJ and for whatever reason he just didnt. He's quick, but geez, BJ must have the most incredible chin ever or Rory doesnt pack a punch. I dunno. Just wasnt impressed.

I was totally impressed. But Penn looked like shit so maybe that contributed.

[Kris P Lettus]

Penn has always looked bad at 170 except against Hughes, who was a small 170er, specially by today's standards..

[weather vane]

Rory looked awesome.

[Kris P Lettus]

Rory is gonna fight Condit at 158..

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2012/12/rory-macdonald-carlos-condit-rematch-targeted-for-ufc-158-in-montreal

Dana offered Diaz and GSP a fight..

http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/12/12/3760194/dana-white-georges-st-pierre-vs-nick-diaz-slated-for-march-but-deal

Hendricks will take a fight is UFC won't give him GSP..

http://www.mmamania.com/2012/12/11/3755468/johny-hendricks-georges-st-pierre-nick-diaz-ufc-welterweight-mma

So who should Hendricks fight??

This make no sense at all.. I would have:

GSP vs. Hendricks
Diaz vs. Condit
Rory vs. Kos/Fitch/Kampman

[Next Big Thing]

From a money making perspective, GSP/Diaz makes perfect sense and will probably generate more money than any other opponent for GSP minus Silva. Plus, the Diaz vs. Condit fight was close enough where people could have claimed Diaz won.

MacDonald/Condit is the fight that doesn't make sense to me. I get Rory wanting to avenge his loss, but MacDonald vs. Hendricks could easily be a #1 contenders fight. The winner of Maia/Fitch might be intriguing but they haven't even scheduled that fight yet.

[Kris P Lettus]

I am def looking forward to GSP vs Diaz but they could have had it and the other mentioned fights..

GSP/Hendricks
Diaz/Condit

The only way they COULDN'T match up GSP/Diaz after that is only if GSP wins and Diaz loses.. If they both win BOOM big fight for the end of the year.. If they both lose BOOM a big fight at the end of the year.. If GSP loses and Diaz wins, BOOM a big fight at the end of the year..

3 ways it would happen, 1 way it wouldn't..

I think Diaz' return alone will draw, specially against Condit who last beat him.. I also think GSP/Hendrick will do fine on GSP's drawing power alone..

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

I'm really interested to see how Maia handles himself against the beast wrestlers at the top of the division. If he can work his magic against those guys, he could make the division much more interesting, in terms of unpredictability.

[The Mask]

I'd rather see Rory/diaz

[Kris P Lettus]

Diaz/GSP is supposedly official but I could only find an article translated from French..

The mega fight Georges St-Pierre against Brazilian Anderson Silva will have to wait. The Quebecers will instead face in his next fight his nemesis, Nick Diaz, March 16 at the Bell Centre as part of UFC 158.

Press has learned that indeed this duel is in your pocket. The managers of both fighters confirmed Thursday they gave the green light to the deal. The UFC will make an announcement tomorrow night in Las Vegas, which will host the final of the 16th season of The Ultimate Fighter, which will assist the veteran Quebec.

By late evening, La Presse has joined manager Nick Diaz in California. Cesar Gracie took the time during the day to review the contract with the client. "We signed it 20 minutes ago! he announced. I just sent a text message to Dana White [UFC president] saying that the fight was signed. And I'll just send the contract by fax. "

"This is amazing, I've never been to Montreal before and I'm excited. Nick is also super excited, said Gracie. He expects this fight long and provides a good battle. "

"This will be the main fight" at UFC 158, has insisted Gracie, who made a point of honor to any negotiation.

"If Nick Diaz accepted this fight will be a formality for us, meanwhile said Thursday evening the manager of GSP, Rodolphe Beaulieu. George is happy with the idea of ​​fighting in Montreal, but he was ready to go anywhere to face Diaz. "

After winning his comeback fight on November 17th, poles were launched for Georges St-Pierre faces Anderson Silva in a mega fight. The Brazilian was open. But St-Pierre has expressed reservations about the weight difference, Silva UFC champion at 185 pounds, while Montrealers is 170 pounds.

The fight against Nick Diaz is clearly one wanted St-Pierre. The big boss of the UFC, Dana White, has also said this week that "George has personally requested the fight against Diaz."

A moth named Diaz

The duel between St-Pierre (23-2) and Diaz (28-6-1) will not be hard to sell to fans. In addition to being a good fighter, American Nick Diaz is a great speaker and has prevailed in the past against St-Pierre. As an example, the latest tweets from Twitter back to Diaz on November 17. Immediately after the victory against St-Pierre Carlos Condit, he wrote to his 90,000 followers: "I am not impressed by your performance, Georges St-Pierre."

The statement was smiling the native of St-Isidore, since Diaz has lost his last fight against the same Condit, a unanimous decision last February. In the wake of his defeat, he also had a positive test for cannabinoids accompanied by a one-year suspension. The fight against St-Pierre will therefore represent his comeback.

Both athletes do not like much. "It's the most disrespectful human being I know," said St-Pierre has about Diaz.

Diaz and St-Pierre first had to meet at UFC 137 in October 2011, in Las Vegas. But Nick Diaz did not attend a press conference Dana White was furious, replaced by Condit. The Quebecers, however, injured in training. His return was finally held on November 17 against Carlos Condit at UFC 154.

Montrealers will also have the opportunity to see Carlos Condit in action in March. The American Canadian Rory MacDonald will face in a rematch on the undercard of the shock Diaz-GSP.

[Kris P Lettus]

A moth named Diaz..

[Kris P Lettus]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A-NPR6eCQAA-BmY.jpg

[Kris P Lettus]

Dana White confirmed this (GSP/Diaz and Condit/McDonald) and that Hendricks vs Ellenberger was also added to this card.. He called it "a mini ww tournament with the best ww's in he world" on one card..

[Kris P Lettus]

Robbie Lawler is coming back and will fight Kos at UFC 157..

[Kris P Lettus]

http://i.imgur.com/ZLkZ7pz.png

[RP]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A-NPR6eCQAA-BmY.jpg

I cant wait for this. I hope Diaz wrecks that Frenchie.

[RP]

This is the biggest moment of Diaz's life by the way. If he backs all the shit he talks up on this one, look the fuck out.

[Kris P Lettus]

If there's any fighter in the UFC right now who has more than earned their shot at the belt, it's Johny Hendricks.

The former three time Division I national champion wrestler possesses a 14-1 overall record which includes a five fight winning streak over some seriously elite competition.

It all started with his thunderous 12 second knockout of the then number two ranked welterweight Jon Fitch. He followed up by earning a split decision over number five ranked Josh Koscheck and then proceeded to blast number three-ranked Martin Kampmann in just 46 seconds this past November in the co-main event of UFC 154.

After his victory over "The Hitman," Hendricks made it known in his post-fight speech that he felt he'd done enough to earn a shot at the title, even saying he'd sit out until he got his opportunity to fight Georges St. Pierre.

So naturally, when St. Pierre instead chose to fight Nick Diaz, "Big Rigg" was a bit perturbed. But what really set him off was his reasoning. "GSP" mentioned at the UFC 158 press conference that he felt Diaz deserved the shot over Hendricks because he believed Hendricks had lost to Koscheck, a man he'd already defeated.

That didn't make much sense considering he also believed Diaz had lost to Carlos Condit for the interim title, the man that "Rush" had just returned to defend his championship against.

Hendricks spoke his mind during an appearance on MMAmania's Verbal Submission podcast last night and he didn't hold back:

"My reaction was like, 'Really?! You're an idiot.' He said that Condit really did beat Nick Diaz, know what I'm saying? He said, 'I'm fighting the true number one contender Carlos Condit,' and now, he's going backtracking and saying, 'Well, I think [Hendricks] lost.' Who cares? You don't get to decide. He's not a judge. He's not a judge. He's a fighter. He's paid to fight and he's paid to fight me. The fact that he was able to ask and get this request [to fight Diaz], the only thing this is, is it gives me more drive. It's not like I didn't have enough but what's gonna happen is, whenever I look across the cage, he's not going to see fear. He's not gonna see anything. All I want to do is I want to fight him. I want to look across and see GSP and that might be something he's not used to. I don't know. I don't know why he didn't take the fight but I guess I wouldn't want to fight me as well."

Hendricks will instead be fighting the very heavy-hitting Jake Ellenberger on the UFC 158 main card next month (March 16, 2013) on the same night that St. Pierre defends his title against Diaz.

If Hendricks defeats "The Juggernaut," is there any way St. Pierre can deny him his shot this time?

[Kris P Lettus]

A UFC representative has told SWFight.com that Johny Hendericks will now face Carlos Condit at UFC 158. Rory MacDonald was forced out of the contest against Condit due to a neck injury he suffered recently. Hendericks is currently ranked the number 1 contender for the UFC Welterweight title.

It was expected that he would face the winner of the UFC 158 main event between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz, that of course all changes depending on the outcome of his contest with Condit.

The card is set to take place March 16th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Wonder if Woodley will face Ellenberger..

[Next Big Thing]

Wonder if Woodley will face Ellenberger..

I'd like to see Tarec Saffiedine. If Ellenberger was a good enough matchup for the #1 contender, then he should be a good enough test for the SF champion and it's a credible win for Tarec if he pulls it off.

[MoFo]

Thought Saffedine too, would of even liked him vs Condit.

Plus hes #10 in the UFC RANKINGS.

[Kris P Lettus]

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/02/nate-marquardt-steps-in-to-meet-jake-ellenberger-at-ufc-158

Marquart is gonna make his UFC return to face Ellenberger..


kinda weird

[CSL]

might as well make this the 158 thread

hawt fan-made trailer

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FunEakCWLE0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Kris P Lettus]

I'm gonna make an "official" one early next week, unless one of you guys will do it so every single thread isn't made by me..

Was just waiting on this Fuel card to happen first..

[Kris P Lettus]

Dana said on JRE that the Diaz boys have cost him over $50k cause he keeps sending the countdown crew to interview them and they never show up..

[CSL]

said in the post 157 media scrum that Nick has done all of his interviews etc now and it's Nate's turn

[Kris P Lettus]

He might have been talking about the past.. There's no way they finished the coundown show for Nick yet.. They usually film that two week out from the fight..

[Kris P Lettus]

Lets update this convo

I'm hearing we'll have Rory McDonald vs Robbie Lawler before the end of the year, which will be an amazing fight. No way Lawler sits back and waits on Rory like Ellenberger did.


After last night I wanted Brown vs Lawler because that would be an absolute war, but with Condit and Kampman tied up, I can see them putting Brown in against someone like Ellenberger or maybe Woodley.


Pretty sure the winner of GSP/Hendricks will fight the winner of Condit/Kampman 2


Where does Diaz fall into this? (I know he's having issue outside of the cage right now, but he needs to be mentioned)


Thoughts??

[Kris P Lettus]

Welterweight is interesting again. I think we should discuss who is next up for a title shot. First of all, Lawler looked amazing and I wouldnt mind seeing an imediate rematch. I actually thin thats their best option. Condit getting hurt really monkey wrenchs the situation bc not only is he out, but it takes away for Woodleys preformance, where he looked amazing.

I hate the idea of Rory getting the shot. His last fights before the Maia one were horrid. He called out a retired BJ Penn, had a snoozefest with ellenberger, and got beat up by Lawler. One win over Maia doesn't put him in the mix imo.

Woodley was looking good, but people are gonna say he didnt beat Condit. Lombard has potential but needs to finish.

Id kinda like to see Woodley vs Rory, Hendricks vs Lawler 2, and let a returning Matt Brown fight Lombard.

On top of all that, we have this

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q9N_psO_xIg?list=UUVhibwHk4WKw4leUt6JfRLg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Lawler vs Diaz 2 makes my dick hard

[Krimzon7]

Goddamit Tommy Toe Hold, don't you fucking let me down.

[Kris P Lettus]

http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/4/8/5595268/tyron-woodley-inks-an-eight-fight-deal-with-ufc-faces-rory-macdonald

[alvarado52]

Nick Diaz can suck a fat one. Who the hell think they can have a sub 500 record in their current UFC stint, lose, take a year off, and say they'll only fight for the title.

Then again, the UFC is a joke and grants title shots based on whatever the fuck they want, as opposed to legitimate streaks like the olden days.

Just look at how Phil Davis is getting screwed out of a number 1 contender bout.

[Kris P Lettus]

The Davis/Rumble fight is a title eliminator. The argument could be made more for Gus and DC over Davis IMO.

Also, LOL what "good old days"?

Booking money title fights has ALWAYS been part of it. (Ex. Couture @ ufc 67)

[Crimson]

I'd like to see Gus have another crack at it. For some reason I see Davis not performing up to par in a title fight.

[Kris P Lettus]

I like Davis and even though he has a win over Gus, I tend to agree. I dont think he can hang with the elite at 205. Rashad made him look silly and I think Gus, DC, Rashad, and Glover would all be mismatches. We see how he fares against Rumble, who has been a tear at HW. I always had big hopes for Johnson and hope he beats Davis and has a Robbie Lawleresque return to the UFC.

[alvarado52]

Gus is getting the next shot after Tex, then the winner of Hendo/DC. Davis had ran off like 4 straight wins in the actual division, that seems to speak for itself over DC

[weather vane]

Whatever happend to Sexyama? Still on the roster?

[Heisenberg]

If I had to guess, Sexyama is back in his home country drowning in trim