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The UFC has announced that former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell will fight Keith Jardine on September 22 at UFC 76 in Anaheim. On the undercard, Forrest Griffin will fight Pride veteran Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, who will make his UFC debut. Both Liddell and Jardine look to rebound from losses in their last fights. For more info, visit UFC.com.
After Sean Sherk's convincing five-round decision victory against Hermes Franca in the UFC lightweight championship match at UFC 73 earlier this month, word around the mixed martial arts world was that Sherk would defend his title against BJ Penn in Newark in November.
(AP Photo -- Sherk about to drop Franca at UFC 73)
But nearly two weeks after Sherk successfully defended his title, both the champ and the challenger tested positive for banned substances, were fined $2,500 each and given one-year suspensions by the California State Athletic Commission.
So now what?
I think the UFC should give Penn his title shot -- for the vacant belt that is. Who would he fight? Well with all the talent at 155 now, that's not such an easy call.
Here are two fighters who I think deserve shots at the UFC lightweight belt:
Joe Stevenson
Roger Huerta
Penn vs. Stevenson: The only problem here is that Stevenson is fighting Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 74 in August. If he gets by Pellegrino, two months might not be enough time for a title shot in November. Even though Penn's ground game is on another level compared to most fighters, Stevenson has a very strong jiu-jitsu/wrestling base. But I'd have to give the stand-up edge to Penn, even though that could be an interesting match.
Penn vs. Huerta: Again, same deal. Huerta is fighting at UFC 74 against Alberto Crane (8-0 MMA), who is making his UFC debut. With Huerta and Penn throwing hands the whole time, this match would probably be the most exciting out of the pair. Huerta is 4-0 in the UFC and always puts on a show in the cage. Penn, in my opinion, can win the championship in THREE different weight classes. Yep, three (lightweight, welterweight, middleweight). He would be giving some weight to a 185-pounder, but his talent would make up for it.
I think they should hold off with the hypothetical vacant title match until we see what happens at UFC 74. I also think they should switch matches, let Huerta fight Stevenson and whoever wins that match gets the title shot. Just an idea.
Other notables: Three 155-pounders that I think are one big win away from a title shot -- Kenny Florian, Spencer Fisher, Frank Edgar.
Fightin' Words readers: Which UFC fighter deserves the title shot?
Just got word that UFC 75, which will feature UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Pride champion Dan Henderson, will be seen on SpikeTV at 9 p.m. Saturday September 8 from The O2 Arena in London. Henderson currently holds two Pride titles, one at 185 pounds as well as the 205-pound championship. Both Jackson's UFC light heavyweight title and Henderson's 205-pound Pride title will be on the line.
Also on the card, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic looks to rebound from a loss against Gabriel Gonzaga and faces Cheick Kongo in a heavyweight bout. The Ultimate Fighter: Season 3 contestants face off when England's Michael Bisping meets Matt Hamill.
The program will run on "same day tape" according to SpikeTV, with the actual live event beginning at 3 p.m. EST.
Fightin' Words caught up with UFC heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga as he was training in Manhattan for his championship fight against Randy Couture in August. Enjoy.
Can Silva and Sherk defend their titles? Can Tito Ortiz climb back up the light heavyweight mountain? How will former Pride fighter Antonio Nogueira respond to his Octagon debut? What's up with Stephan Bonnar?
A lot of questions, a lot of good matches.
I realize that there are only five championship belts in the UFC, but I can get used to this two belts on the line theme.
Here are the Fightin' Words picks for UFC 73:
UFC Middleweight Championship: Nate Marquardt vs. Anderson Silva
True, Marquardt is 4-0 in the UFC, but Silva's UFC wins just jump out at me. He knocks out brawler Chris Leben, He dismantles middleweight champ Rich Franklin and chokes out fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Travis Lutter. Wow. Silva is a great fighter, and unfortunately for his opponents, he knows it. Marquardt starts strong, but Silva overwhelms him in the third round for the TKO victory.
UFC Lightweight Championship: Hermes Franca vs. Sean Sherk
Franca has found a way to win in his last three fights, capped by an impressive TKO win over UFC veteran Spencer Fisher in January. But Sean Sherk at 155 pounds is just unfair. He looks like a light heavyweight fighting at lightweight. One fifty five is turning into an elite division, but I don't see Sherk losing that belt anytime soon, not unless BJ Penn decides to stay put. Barring a Franca strike that sneaks through, Sherk punishes Franca and gets him out of there with a referee stoppage in the second round.
Rashad Evans vs. Tito Evans
Great matchup at the perfect time of both of their careers.
Evans is 5-0 in the UFC with a perfect 15-0 mixed martial arts record, but he's never mixed it up with the same names that Tito Ortiz has. Evans could be on his way up the mountain, while some could argue that Ortiz might be on his way down.
Not me.
True, Chuck Liddell has Tito Ortiz's number. Chuck Liddell can say that about a lot of fighters. Ortiz has a ridiculous amount of experience -- and he's only 32. This is a spotlight fight and Ortiz thrives in the spotlight. He's won five of his last six fights, and I think he'll win this one. Both of these fighters are very strong wrestlers, so I think this one will stay standing up with Ortiz earning a decision victory.
Heath Herring vs. Antonio Nogueira
Two guys brought in to improve the lackluster heavyweight division that Randy Couture is salvaging. Herring has experienced two UFC fights, winning his last one by decision against Brad Imes. Will Nogueira experience any "Cage Shock?" I dont think so. He catches Herring in a heel hook for the second round submission.
Preliminary undercard predictions:
Mike Nickels vs. Stephan Bonnar -- Bonnar wins by KO/TKO in the first round.
Diego Saraiva vs. Jorge Gurgel -- Gurgel wins by unanimous decision.
Chris Lytle vs. Jason Gilliam -- Lytle wins by KO/TKO in the third round.
Mark Bocek vs. Frankie Edgar -- Edgar wins by submission in the second round.
