(Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images).
At Saturday's post-UFC 97 press conference, Dana White discussed that Cheick Kongo is in the UFC Heavyweight hunt…
"Yeah I think he is a top contender. I think Cheick Kongo's win [over Hardonk], you know, he's in the mix. Getting the next title shot, I can't answer that question right now. But there's no doubt he's in the mix."
Kongo is 14-4-1 overall and 7-2 in the UFC, including winning five of his last six fights. His only loss in those last six fights was to Heath Herring, via split decision.
Credit: mmajunkie.com
Who else is deserves consideration?
The battle between Couture and Noguiera may be for a title shot, based on name value.
Also, the fact that Randy is signed for one more fight after UFC 102 may play a role in the decision. You can't argue if the UFC wants to make it a huge one.
There wouldn't be many heavyweight fights bigger than Randy vs. Brock II or Couture/ Mir, at this present time.
So all business aside, who should get the next shot?
Cheick Kongo
Cheick Kongo has won three straight fights by TKO in impressive fashion.
He dismantled Antoni Hardonk, who is known for his striking. Well here, Kongo made him look like an amateur.
With training partners like Michael Bisping, Rampage, Paul Kelly and more at the Wolfslair, Kongo has championship level people around him to help him prepare to get to the next level.
Due to his performances and recent record, you can't argue someone else is more deserving of a title shot after the Mir/ Lesnar rematch.
But let's see who else is contending, and as Dana put, is "in the mix."
Shane Carwin
This monster is probably the closest person to Kongo for a title shot.
He sports an 11-0 record (4-0 in the UFC) with all his fights in the octagon being stopped in the 1st round.
Experience would be his only blemish to not receiving an immediate title shot right now.
That and the fact that, other than Gabriel Gonzaga, he hasn't fought any top tier talent yet.
Carwin will surely have a crack at the belt by 2010, most likely after another fight or two.
I'm sure the UFC is preparing him for a super showdown with Lesnar, as many within MMA feel that would be Brock's biggest test right now, other than Mir of course.
Junior Dos Santos
The surprising heavyweight could be another title contender in the future.
He is 2-0 in the UFC and pretty much took Fabricio Werdum's "spot" after a shocking 1st round KO.
After that, a "promised" title shot was gone just like Werdum's UFC career.
What followed for Dos Santos was a 1st round TKO over Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve.
The potential is there. A few more fights and he could be in top contention.
I wouldn't be too surprised to see Dos Santos Vs. Herring, Gonzaga, Carwin or Velasquez in the near future.
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