UFC and Strikeforce: 5 Fighters Who Deserve a Title Shot in 2011

With the 2011 year just underway, the MMA world is on fire already. The UFC middleweight championship is on the line later this week, and we have a lot to be excited about.

While it's hard to predict whether or not Anderson Silva or Vitor Belfort will be the middleweight champ after this weekend, we can take a look at some of the other divisions in MMA and who might be deserving of a title shot. With some unforeseen happenings in the MMA world, such as the Edgar/Maynard draw and injuries that seem to plague even the most highly trained fighters, we can at least speculate on some of the more deserving contenders available right now. There have been many fighters who have made a name for themselves in the last year but here are five guys who have the ability and have earned the right to make themselves eligible for a title shot at some point in 2011.

Dan Henderson: 205-Pound Light Heavyweight Division, Strikeforce

After spending the last few years bouncing back and forth between the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, Henderson is back at the 205 pound mark and is feeling better than ever after his first-round decimation of Renato Sobral in December of 2010.

Henderson, who earned a TKO win against the long-time MMA veteran secured himself as the No. 1 contender and will face the current Strikeforce champion, Rafael Cavalcante, later this year. Though Henderson has just one victory in the 205-pound division for Strikeforce, his resume is unrivaled in the sport and is the only fighter to hold multiple titles at the same time in the now defunct Pride organization. With victories over some of the best LHW’s in MMA history, Henderson has earned a shot at the belt and will most likely face Cavalcante at Strikeforce 32, which will take place later this year.

Junior Dos Santos: 240-Pound Heavyweight Division, UFC

After coming off of his one-sided victory against Roy Nelson at UFC 117, Dos Santos, who was promised a title shot against the winner of the Velasquez/Lesnar, will have to wait until an injured Cain Velasquez is able to return.

In the meantime, Dos Santos will have his hands full as he will be one of the coaches on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter and will face Brock Lesnar in his toughest test to date which will determine the next heavyweight title contender. “El Cigano” is currently 6-0 in the UFC and has finished five out of six opponents that he has faced inside the Octagon.

Paul Daley: 170-Pound Welterweight Division, Strikeforce

Paul “Semtex” Daley might be known more for getting himself kicked out of the UFC than what he does with his fists during the actual fight. However, this does not diminish what he has done in MMA in the since his expulsion from the UFC.

Daley, who has won his last three fights decisively and will face Yuya Shirai at the end of February has looked quite impressive since his UFC exit. With a huge KO victory against UFC veteran Scott Smith in his last fight, Daley has pushed his name into the No. 1 contender spot in the welterweight division.

Nick Diaz, who recently defended his belt against Evangelista Santos has been on a roll and seems unstoppable in the welterweight division. With the exit of Jake Shields last year from Strikeforce, Daley has now become the obvious No. 1 contender for the division crown and will most likely face Diaz within the next six to eight months.

Anthony Pettis: 155-Pound Lightweight Division, UFC

Coming off of his win at WEC 53 in which Pettis took home the Lightweight championship against WEC veteran, Ben Henderson, Pettis has become a hot commodity. With a move that was taken straight out of The Matrix, Pettis secured the championship with an amazing last second off the cage kick that was just enough to sway the judges in his favor.

With the victory under his belt, Pettis thought he had secured a title shot against the UFC lightweight champion, however after a draw in the Edgar/Maynard bout and with the UFC calling for an immediate rematch, Pettis will have to wait his turn.

Not one to sit idly by as the action continues, Pettis has scheduled a bout against top five lightweight, Clay Guida, which will certainly test his skills. With a win over the relentless Guida, Pettis will lock in his opportunity to lay his claim on becoming the UFC lightweight champion.

Fedor Emelianenko: 230-Pound Heavyweight Division, Strikeforce

Perhaps the most dominant fighter to ever compete in MMA is this Russian heavyweight with the stoic demeanor. Fedor, who is coming off of his first loss in 10 years will be entering the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament later this month and may very well face the current Strikeforce Heavyweight champion in the process.

The current champion, Alistair Overeem, will also be competing in the tournament but will not be putting his championship belt on the line. After all is said and done with the Grand Prix tournament, Alistair Overeem will still be the heavyweight champion and should be required to place his belt on the line against the dominant Russian.

Whether Fedor wins the tournament or not, he has earned a place among the greatest fighters of all time and would make for an exciting championship fight no matter who has the belt, and having only lost one time in the last decade, I feel he’s earned his title shot.