UFC 100 Analysis: Looking To The Future of the Middleweights

UFC 100 is bringing one highly touted fight—read promoted grudge match USA vs. UK—between the Ultimate Fighter coaches between Dan "Hendo" Henderson and Michael "The Count" Bisping. In upcoming UFC events there are two more big fights at 185: Thales Leites vs. Alessio Sakara at UFC 101 and, in my opinion, the most important fight in the Middleweight division, Nate "The Great" Marquardt vs. Demian Maia at UFC 102.

First, let's talk about Marquardt vs. Maia. Marquardt should 100 percent be seen as the top contender in the division. He lost against Anderson, but bounced back against Jeremy Horn, Martin Kampmann—who he basically forced into the Welterweight division, and Wilson Gouveia.

Granted, he lost a split decision, which was suspect, to the most recent title challenger Thales Leites, but he has been proving himself again and again in the division and is seemingly the gate-keeper for title contenders in the Middleweight division.

Now, Demian Maia on the other hand is a special fighter, but although I think he is next in line for the title, he has to prove himself against a very tough challenger. Demian Maia is undefeated and he has one of the most ridiculous jiu-jitsu games in the world—read as No. 1.

My issue with Maia is that his goal in each fight is to hurt the challenger as little as possible while securing victory via submission. That's great; and it's a great notion and all that, but the word fight isn't nice and neither is the person you are in the fight with. Marquardt will push Maia and either get him ready for Anderson Silva or teach him that he needs to throw a punch every now and then to win a fight. This fight is obviously the most important thing to look out for in the division.

At UFC 100, you have "Hendo" fighting "the Count." This fight is sort of a promotional joke. Michael Bisping is a star and has done well in the division since leaving the 205-ers, but Henderson is on a completely different level. I'm waiting for someone to tell me, "I told you so" if Bisping wins, but common Hendo has been around forever. He was PRIDE champ at 205 and 185, and has beat the best fighters in the world hands down. Who's the best fighter that Bisping has fought? Answer: Chris Leben—no slight to Leben, I think he is great—but like I said, Henderson is on a completely different level.

Next up: Thales Leites vs. Alessio Sakara

I never had much respect for Thales and thought it was too soon for him to fight Anderson; and where do we find him—back on the under-card. It's unfortunate, because I believe that, after seeing him fight Anderson, he has really developed and come into his own. He should take care of Alessio Sakara without too much issue. Joe Silva put together this fight and it will catapult the winner back onto the main card, and on the road to a title fight...after two more wins that is.

The Contenders: Yushin Okami, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Patrick Cote

I've heard that Okami and Cote might be fighting at UFC 103. Hopefully, both of their knees have healed and they are back to proper form. Cote looked ready to go in the Silva fight and I'd like to see that fight come to a proper conclusion.

Can this division wait six to eight months for another title fight? I hope not.

You have two fights: Marquardt vs. Maia and Okami vs. Cote, that should result in two title contenders. Silva should be fighting each of them as their times come.

Vitor Belfort ended Matt Lindland, recently, in an awesome fight; and if the UFC can bring him into the fold, he needs to take out one of the top contenders, then take on Anderson Silva. He has got a fight coming with another top 185-er in Jorge Santiago, but I'd love to see him in the UFC because he is a legitimate challenger—save any psychological issues—for the 185 title in any organization.

Lastly, as it seems to always be, we have Chael Sonnen. He has had a lot of ups and downs and has been around for quite a while. He has asked the UFC for more and more fights so he can keep in shape and keep the "wins" category growing. I'd like to see him moving forward, but I am skeptical about his future.

All in all, I can't wait for the top four fighters and their fights. In the meantime, Anderson Silva has to take on Forest Griffin, a big 205-er, and that should be an interesting fight. If he loses, Silva will have a lot of contenders biting at the bit. If he wins, he will still have them biting. Let's see how it goes down. I'm rooting for Griffin!

Oh yeah, and I almost forgot Henderson. Once he wins he should have one more fight with the loser of Marquardt vs. Maia and then challenge for the title again!