Should there be manditory contenders in MMA?

Silva vs Bonnar was a late-notice fight put together to salvage a card where several fights, including a main-event title fight, had to be scrapped due to injuries. Anderson took the opportunity to fight in Brazil and save the event.

And the consensus top challenger for Silva has been sidelined by injury for several months, and won't be back in the near future.

Plus, Sonnen WAS the top challenger for Silva. The rematch was both the biggest and the most competitive MW title challenge that could be made. :nono

Agreed that Sonnen-Jones is a little bit of a pisstake, but it's not like there are lots of LHW contenders ready to challenge Jones. All the big-name guys, he's already wiped them out in one-sided fashion. Except for Hendo, who hasn't fought since 2011 and whose last performance wasn't as impressive as Gustafsson's was against the same opponent.

:hat

 

Yep, I like this. Makes it more enjoyable and more followable (for me).

I'd like to see it done further, it creates excitement, and gives fighters a chance to quickly redeem themselves in a sport where it's common for the best guys to lose.

MMA can be one of the most honest sports out there, but it isn't.

 

Yes...I meant Silva fighting Bonnar and Jones fighting Sonnen. Funny, each fought or his fighting someone in the others weightclass.