Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Who is in line for a UFC Bantamweight Title shot after Miguel Torres' loss at UFC 130? Hansen, Amadi, Hobaugh, Hyden, Park, Perez and Penick
Jun 3, 2011 - 3:15:34 PM ROUNDTABLE: Who is in line for a UFC Bantamweight Title shot after Miguel Torres' loss at UFC 130? Hansen, Amadi, Hobaugh, Hyden, Park, Perez and Penick

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Who might be in line for a UFC Bantamweight Championship shot after Miguel Torres' questionable decision loss at UFC 130?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Brian Bowles is the most deserving candidate for a Bantamweight Title shot.  And I mean right now, today, before Urijah Faber gets his shot on July 2, Brian Bowles is the most deserving candidate for a Bantamweight Title shot. That he is buried on Facebook, as are most bantamweights and featherweights, irritates me greatly.

JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I went in to the Torres-Johnson fight believing that it was a definite title eliminator, and I still feel that way even though the judges awarded the wrong fighter the victory. Johnson is on a four-fight winning streak and has consecutive wins over Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto and Miguel Torres. Those are the two biggest names in the bantamweight division outside of Urijah Faber, so there isn't anyone else for the UFC to sell the pubic on aside from "Mighty Mouse."

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Brian Bowles, if he gets by Takeya Mizugaki, is close to a title shot. Faber should take care of Dominick Cruz in July at UFC 132, so this sets up an excellent bantamweight title fight.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Well, I think Joseph Benavidez might be the choice. I know he's already lost to Dominick Cruz twice, but both of those were by decision, including a split decision loss in a five-round title fight almost a year ago. There's a lot of quality guys out there, it's hard to pick just one. However, I would go with Benavidez.

CHRIS PARK, MMATORCH UK SPECIALIST

This was one of the worst decisions I can remember. Miguel Torres clearly won the first two rounds against Demetrious Johnson and I also had him winning a closer third round.

When you consider that Torres now has lost a likely title shot against the Cruz vs. Faber II winner; it just makes the decision look even worse.

My choice would be to order an immediate rematch between Torres and Johnson himself for a shot at the UFC title on the line.

If Torres can put the record straight then the shot is his. If Johnson can actually defeat Torres convincingly then I wouldn't complain at him getting the shot.

Either way the judges have made a big mess here and taken away a real superfight between Torres and either Faber or Cruz leaving the fans as the biggest losers in all of this.

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

The first obvious choice would be Brian Bowles.  He won his last fight since losing the belt to Dominick Cruz, and is still very near the top of the heap for the belt.  I feel he should be the next in line for the belt.

JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Brian Bowles. His only loss came to Cruz in their title fight last March, and that's a fight where he broke his hand and couldn't continue. After making a successful return in impressive fashion against Damacio Page this March, a win over Takeya Mizugaki should earn him a shot at regaining the belt.