Hyden's Take
HYDEN BLOG: Taking a look at the title picture in each of the UFC's seven divisions
Jul 27, 2011 - 9:35:47 AM HYDEN BLOG: Taking a look at the title picture in each of the UFC's seven divisions

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By: Frank Hyden, MMATorch contributor

Bantamweight Champion: Dominick Cruz (18-1)

Next Title Defense: vs. Demetrious Johnson on October 1 (UFC on Versus 6)

-It has already been announced that the winner of the Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles fight on November 19 at UFC 139 will face the Bantamweight Champion at a later date.

My take: I think Dominick Cruz will be able to easily handle the one-dimensional Demetrious Johnson, setting up a rematch between either Faber or Bowles. Cruz is the only man to have defeated Bowles in his career, and is 1-1 against Faber. I favor Bowles in his fight against Faber, but I think Cruz can and will beat either man. I believe Cruz remains champion for the foreseeable future.

Featherweight Champion: Jose Aldo (19-1)

Next Title Defense: vs. Kenny Florian on October 8 (UFC 136)

-It's very likely that Chad Mendes will receive the next title shot if he beats Rani Yahya on August 6 (UFC 133)

My take: As much as I'd love to see Kenny Florian break through in a big fight, my brain is telling me that Jose Aldo will defeat him to retain his title. Assuming that Chad Mendes beats Rani Yahya and does get the next Featherweight Title shot, I don't think he'll be able to beat Aldo either. At this point, I think Aldo is too much for anyone in that division to beat. Of course, fights aren't decided on paper, but I just think Aldo is too good. He's raised the bar so high it's going to take an outstanding effort by someone to beat him. I think Aldo remains champion for the foreseeable future as well.

Lightweight Champion: Frankie Edgar (13-1-1)

Next Title Defense: vs. Gray Maynard on October 8 (UFC 136)

-It looks as though Jim Miller is probably next in line for a shot at the title. However, this is assuming that Miller beats Ben Henderson on August 14 (UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle).

My take: I think Frankie Edgar will beat Gray Maynard by a close decision, probably taking three out of the five rounds. I also think Jim Miller will beat Ben Henderson when they fight, setting up Edgar vs. Miller. Edgar beat Miller before, but that was in 2006. They're both different fighters, but I think the outcome remains the same, with Edgar winning. The Lightweight division is extremely crowded, so it'll be hard for Edgar to remain champion for long. However, I think he stays champion for at least his next two fights.

Welterweight Champion: Georges St. Pierre (22-2)

Next Title Defense: vs. Nick Diaz on October 29 (UFC 137)

-Carlos Condit fights B.J. Penn at the same event (UFC 137) and the winner of that fight will very likely receive the next title shot.

My take: There's no question that Nick Diaz is one of the best fighters in the world today. However, I think he joins an extremely long line of great fighters who have fallen to Georges St. Pierre. I just can't see a way that Diaz wins this fight. On the other side, I think Condit is back on track and I think he stops B.J. Penn to earn the next title shot. I actually think Condit has the best chance to beat GSP out of all his recent challengers. Condit has length in his limbs, a well-rounded game, and has championship experience. Nick Diaz has that as well, but I don't think he's going to be mentally strong enough to resist going away from the game plan when he fights GSP. I think Diaz will get away from his strategy against GSP and that will cost him. I would give Condit a 30% chance to beat GSP, which is way more than I've given any of his last several opponents. That number could go higher if Condit looks good against Penn.

Middleweight Champion: Anderson Silva (30-4)

Next Title Defense: vs. Yushin Okami on August 27 (UFC 134)

-There's no clear number one contender to the title, though the winner of Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann at UFC 136 in Houston in October could be the next contender.

My take: In all likelihood Anderson Silva will remain champion for the next year or two at least. There's seemingly nobody in MMA who can hold a candle to Silva. If Chael Sonnen beats Brian Stann at UFC 136 he might be given another title shot. The best chance to see Anderson Silva defeated might be a superfight with either Georges St. Pierre or Jon Jones. However, I think Silva would beat both of those guys so that's moot. Someone will eventually come along who will beat Silva, but who knows when that will be?

Lightweight Champion: Jon Jones (13-1)

Next Title Defense: vs. Quinton Jackson on September 24 (UFC 135)

-Rashad Evans fights Tito Ortiz on August 6 (UFC 133). If Evans wins, he'll receive the next shot at the title.

My take: Jon Jones should be able to handle Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at this stage in Jackson's career. Rashad Evans should be able to beat Tito Ortiz, setting up Jones vs. Evans. Jones shouldn't have trouble beating Evans, though. I think of Jon Jones as a younger version of Anderson Silva, though he's not nearly as good yet. I think Jones will become that good someday, but just not yet. Jones should rule this division for quite some time, and I don't see any true challengers rising up anytime soon.

Heavyweight Champion: Cain Velasquez (9-0)

Next Title Defense: vs. Junior dos Santos, likely on November 19, 2011 (UFC 139)

-After Junior dos Santos gets his shot at the title, things become very murky. There's no clear number one contender to the title.

My take: This is the only upcoming UFC title fight in which I think the champion will lose. I think Junior dos Santos will knock out Cain Velasquez to become the UFC Heavyweight champion. I just think JDS has too much power and technique. Cain's a good fighter, but this is by far his biggest test to date. It should be a great fight, but I'm going with dos Santos. After that, who knows who gets the next title shot? There's several guys who could make a claim at a title shot with another win or two. Luckily, it should all be decided in the cage.


Comments and suggestions can be e-mailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com