Lombard, Rockhold or Weidman seem to be the only avaliable options. I personally would like to see the Lombard fight as it would be fireworks while it lasted. Rockhold needs a solid win in the UFC so why not Rockhold / Weidman for the next shot. http://espn.go.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/16084/solutions-for-the-muddleweight-division
Luke Rockhold. The SF LW Champ is getting his shot, and I think the MW Champ deserves his too. Chris Weidman hasn't fought for some time, I don't think coming off elbow surgery and into a Title Fight makes a lot of sense. Champ v Champ is a much better sell and more meaningful fight. It's a bigger event. Hector Lombard dropped the ball, and didn't earn it in beating Palhares (even though he finished him). After 10 Title Defenses I believe it's time they had him fight someone other than the next Contender.... Rockhold just makes too much sense.
The unofficial HW champ isn't get his shot right away (Cormier). Even the last official champ (Overeem) still needs another win. Both more deserving than Rockhold (and I'm a stupid huge Rockhold fan). Throw in the fact Saffiedine isn't getting a shot either - it doesn't make sense. Also, Melendez. Overeem and Cormier are all top-5 in their respective weight-divisions. It's Weidman or Evans, IMO.
I'd prefer to see Weidman have another fight against a top contender for his own sake. Belfort, Okami/Lombard winner, or Jacare even. As for Rockhold I heard he wanted Phillipou (good step up) but if Zuffa has used 'champ vs champ' for WW (when Nick came over) LW (now Gil' is coming over) then I guess Rockhold should get it. Jacare, Kennedy and Jardine isn't a horrendous run of form going into a fight with The Spider but it's not terrible. He's been active more recently than Weidman as well I think.
**** Rashad getting a shot when he's never fought at the weight before. 'Bones' is fighting two guys in a row that haven't fought at 205 in years now. Silva just fought Bonnar. Let's get back to him fighting contenders. Okami and Sonnen were rematches. Neither were competitive. Let's see Silva take on the new wave of contenders. Bisping and Belcher are out of the race. Rockhold and Weidman are coming through. If they fight each other in a couple of months to determine Silva's opponent, fine. But Rashad doesn't deserve a shot at The Spider. And if they were to fight at 205 then the title is put on hold again. Back to normality gents, please.
Whats up with Rua? Thats a fight I always wanted to see a few years ago. Lost its luster but still a good fight.
Ok but Evans has never fought at MW so I don't see how he is deserving of a title shot. Weidman's a good choice but he won't be back from his shoulder injury till mid Summer. Furthermore, Rockhold has a better resume than Weidman and the champion vs. champion angle makes a fight with Silva much more marketable than a bout with the relatively unknown Weidman. Give Rockhold the title shot.
If Lombard looks very good against Okami, like KHTFO, then i wouldnt mind seeing him against Anderson Silva.
Okami's trash. Id rather see Lombard fight Anderson next instead of having to wait for him go through a scrub Either youre being sarcastic or you really detest Chael. Not sure which