10 Fighters Who Deserve First Crack at Frankie Edgar/Benson Henderson Winner

Even in a professional landscape where rocky roads are the norm, Frankie Edgar's path stands out. It hasn't been easy, straight or particularly well-lighted, but some how, some way, he's smelling sweeter with every click of the odometer.

By comparison, Benson Henderson reached the promised land in no time flat. That's not to say his road to the title shot was strewn with rose petals—or that he didn't earn his way there—because it wasn't, and he did. It's just been a while since a relative UFC newcomer (in any weight class) forced themselves into the promotion's title mix the way Henderson did with his recent performances. 

This tortoise/hare matchup should be a great one at UFC 144. But as you know, these roads never seem to end. The next face in the line is always the most important, and new challenges always loom. That's especially true in a bracket as deep as the lightweight division.

Here are 10 fighters who most deserve to be that next face in line, no matter who emerges from the scrum.  

10. Gray Maynard

He's in this spot because he only deserves it if Henderson wins. After losing the trilogy with Edgar, that saga may be permanently ended.

9. Clay Guida

It's tough to leave him off, but the fact is, Henderson fully controlled him in their fight last November.

Guida's a very good and very popular fighter, but the loss wasn't a one-off...he's never fared well against true top-flight contenders. Before Henderson, there was Kenny Florian, and before that Diego Sanchez, and before that Roger Huerta. 

I'd be more inclined to give the nod to someone who doesn't have so many of those big setbacks on his record.

8. Joe Lauzon

If he beats Anthony Pettis this weekend, that's three in a row for J-Lau. He's had his own share of setbacks against top guys, but a win over Pettis would signal that the 27-year-old is ripe for another shot. 

7. Shinya Aoki

Even if it's not especially realistic, the DREAM lightweight champ definitely deserves a shot at the world's most prestigious belt for 155ers.

Aoki just defended his DREAM belt for the second time, and he's won his last seven.

6. Anthony Pettis

Take what I said about Lauzon and apply it to Pettis in reverse. Then add in the fact that he was the last man to defeat Benson Henderson. 

5. Jim Miller

After losing to Henderson, Miller got right back on the horse with a submission of Melvin Guillard. That makes him a winner in eight of his last nine, and 21 of 24 overall.

As far as I'm concerned, he's still right at the top at 155.

4. Eddie Alvarez

Word came recently that Alvarez, who has one more fight left on his Bellator contract, may be headed to the Octagon in the fairly near future. Alvarez might be in the top spot if he hadn't recently lost his belt to Michael Chandler. 

3. Nate Diaz

This guy is absolutely peaking as a fighter right now. Since returning to lightweight, the 26-year-old submitted Takanori Gomi and decisioned Donald Cerrone, winning submission and fight of the night awards, respectively, along the way.

If he beats Jim Miller this May at UFC on FOX 3, he should get the next title shot, no questions asked. 

2. Michael Chandler

Even though Chandler seems pretty ensconced over at Bellator, from an absolute value standpoint, the undefeated lightweight champ certainly deserves the shot, especially after besting Alvarez.

1. Gilbert Melendez

I know Strikeforce wants to keep him as one of their marquee guys, but come on. Just move him over, make a big deal about it being a unification fight, have a huge fight and then turn Strikeforce into the AAA UFC. People would dig that, in my opinion, and you know it's going to happen sooner or later. It's only fair to give him this chance, especially since he very well might be the best lightweight fighter in the world.