UFC MW Division

[REDDzone]

There was a point in time when this was the worst division of the 5 "original" divisions besides HW. Don't look now but this division is very much in flux and looks to be super intriguing for the foreseeable future?

Can Weidman establish himself as a dominant champion?
Can Vitor finally TRT his away to a title?
Where does Machida fit into all this?
Darkhorse Possibilities: Jacare? Mousasi?
Also interesting: Bisping, Kennedy
Will Anderson return?
Will Sonnen return?

My early thoughts are Weidman beats Vitor, Machida beats Mousasi, Jacare beats Carmont.

I'm fascinated by the thought of Weidman/Machida, Machida/Jacare, or Weidman/Jacare. Just from a stylistic perspective those are great fights (hopefully 5 rounders all). I think Machida offers tough fights for both of those guys [/homer].

How do you guys think this thing plays out?

[singh_shady]

Machida makes this division so interesting, especially with Anderson out of the picture.

I'm very excited to see what Jacare can do coming off KOing Okami. Mousasi is intriguing as well, when was the last time he was even in a relevant fight? Vs King Mo?

Not interested in Bisping or Kennedy at all.

[REDDzone]

I agree with Machida being the x factor and a source of a lot of my intrigue.

You may not care about Kennedy or Bisping, but in the ufc if Sonnen moves down and gets matched up with and beats one of them, he may get the next title shot.

[Bernman]

It's a great division, now.

How does it play out? In the near future we'll either get a merry go round or linear path with Weidman reigning. Nobody has come close to beating him yet, and his wrestling plus power, both ground and standing, may prove too much for everyone in the end. Or Machida may be a tough match-up because of his tdd and striking acumen, or Mousasi may be a tough match-up for him because of his coolness and boxing timing ala Shogun. Unless Weidman proves to be around GOAT level, which he may well do, then it's going to be almost all about match-ups at or toward the top. There may be no dominant champ, which doesn't seem to sit well with the public, but I think it sits great with the die hard fan who enjoys back and forth unpredictable fights. I don't want to see another JBJ or Andy dominating everybody for a long period unless I'm a huge fan of that particular guy.

The shadowed figures in this title picture are the former SF LHW's who are obscured due to previously fighting out of their weight class and in a secondary org, as well as experiencing some misfortune. I'm talking about Larkin (unlucky to not get decision over Carmont), Romero, and of course Mousasi (the draw vs. Jardine was one of the worst decisions ever, and he's been slowed by injuries in recent years). I think they'll factor in big b4 it's all said and done. All are very talented boys in the talent rich UFC MW division of 2013.

[skflives]

The MW division is much more interesting now that the blackhole that is Anderson Silva isn't there to destroy any contenders who stray too close.

[sanity]

Machida dropping down a weight class is interesting. He looks huge for a middle weight. I think Sonnen will return. So many possibilities... I don't think Weidman will hold the title very long nor will anyone dominate it for a long span

Anderson's surgery went well so him returning looks probable---there hasn't been doubts from his side about not returning or calling it a career

[cgf]

I think Weidman will be able to handle Vitor, especially if he can't get a TRT exemption or an early KO, but I just don't see Weidman beating machida in a 5 round fight. I know Lyoto lost a decision to Davis who has similar length and long range striking style to weidman's, but that was a terrible decision where Lyoto stuffed Davis' takedown attempts and didn't get hit by anything other than soft leg kicks where davis just touched legs to score points.

I see the fight going a lot more like Rashad/Lyoto as I do see Weidman getting a little frustrated after Lyoto stuffs his takedowns and avoids all of his outside shots, leading Weidman to move forward and get caught by a fistnado. After that I think Lyoto will defend his belt against Jacare and there things will get really interesting as his age will start becoming a concern for his bout with the winner of Mousasi/Weidman for the shot after Jacare.

[Shaazzam]

love fistnado lol

[NZB2323]

The two fights I want to see the most are Machida vs. Weidman and Belfort vs. Sonnen, and I think that both of those fights happen.

If Weidman is able to beat Machida, I see him reigning for a long time. He's really, really good at everything, but Machida matches up well against him.