Interactive Tournament : Light-Heavyweights, Round One

So now the lightweight tournament is a thing of the past and it's time to look forward as the next tournament begins: the light-heavyweights. But first, let's see how the lightweight tournament ended.

Sean Sherk fought Kenny Florian, the results are in and...

Kenny Florian was eliminated, as Sean Sherk won by 9-7 votes.

Sean Sherk is your lightweight No. 1 contender, the man right under B.J. Penn. So hope you're happy; if you're not, well, what do I care, you guys chose him.

Time to move on now, let's begin the next interactive tournament. Like the first, I chose the rankings on mmasurvival.com on Sunday Jan. 3 at 5:00 PM, so if the rankings change after that, it's not my fault.

Several writers told me the best way to do the tournament is by putting No. 2 ranked vs No. 9, No. 3 vs No. 8, No. 4 vs No. 7 and No. 5 vs No. 6. With that said, that's how the fights will be done from now on.

Let me just clear up something before we start. Dan Henderson and Anderson Silva will not be in the tournament. Henderson, 'cause he didn't beat anybody at 205 since being in the UFC, and Silva 'cause, as much as I love him, he's the middleweight champion he only fought once in the 205 division and beat an unranked fighter.

I also decided to replace Chuck Liddell who was ranked at no. 7 by Thiago Silva. Liddell hasn't done anything in two years and doesn't deserve to be there. Silva at least remained undefeated, so I ranked him at No. 9.

Round One, First Fight : Quinton Jackson vs Thiago Silva

Now what a fight this would be, right? These two guys would band each other into oblivion. Both guys are know to be explosive and have both great hands. Look at the list, and they have both impressive KO victories over very talented fighters.

Both guys would trade punches and kicks, no doubt about it, the question is...Who would get the better of the stand-up game? Silva may have the more powerful hands, but Jackson has the experience and just may be more technical.

If Jiu-Jitsu ever comes into play in this fight, it would be interesting to see who would dominate. It would be interesting to see Thiago Silva in the later rounds, see how his cardio would be against a veteran Rampage.

Round One, Second Fight : Shogun Rua vs Forrest Griffin

Here we have a rematch from UFC 76, Griffin vs Rua. The first fight was actually a close fight but Rua got tired in the second and Griffin pick it up from there and choked him out in the third.

It happens often that when a fighter steps in the octagon for the first time, he gets the jitters and doesn't perform to his true level.

Rua may have had that problem against Griffin, since it was the first time he was in the UFC. He was considered to be the best 205 fighter in MMA at that time. A rematch would be interesting. Griffin, coming off a loss, and Rua would have experienced the octagon this time and would probably have a different strategy against Forrest. 

Round One, Third Fight : Wanderlei Silva vs Keith Jardine

Ok, so before everybody freaks out and picks Wanderlei as the winner because of their first fight, a rematch would most likely not be the same. Silva came out swinging in the first fight and KO'ed Jardine fast.

Jardine would be ready this time, no doubt and he defeated Liddell who defeated Wanderlei.

If Jardine can survive an early barrage of punches, he has the tools to beat Wanderlei. "The Axe Murderer" is coming off another loss, and I wonder if that would make him more or less dangerous? Hmmm.

Jardine has an unorthodox style that can maybe be tough for Silva to handle. Let's face it, Wanderlei can still use his awesome KO power to take out Keith Jardine...again.

Round One, Fourth Fight : Lyoto Machida vs Rich Franklin

Now this is a dream match for me, honestly. They fought a while back and Machida picked up the victory giving Rich his first loss and being one of two men to beat him.

Machida has remained undefeated beating some of the top fighters and has been dominant. But dominant is a great word to use to describe Rich Franklin's career in the UFC. Becoming UFC middleweight champion, beating some of the top fighters in that weight class and just recently won over very talented Matt Hamill at 205.

Franklin has improved so much, SO MUCH! since his Machida fight and the outcome for this one would probably be different. A rematch between both guys would be great, both men have been so dominant in the past years.

If this fight can happen in 2009, let it happen; I would be a very happy fan.

Ok people, the first round of the light-heavyweight tournament is set and now we are just waiting for your votes. Please cast your votes for the winners of all four fights thanks.