Thiago Tavares is injured and won't face Melvin Guillard at the TUF 9 Finale. A replacement is being sought.
Spider Silva vs Forrest Griffin rumoured for UFC 101.. that's so big it deserves it's own thread. http://sportstwo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140804
Nate Marquart vs Demian Mia in a #1 contenders match rumoured for UFC 103. looks like Yushin Okami is put on the back burner once again.
oh man, Luiz Cane vs Thiago Silva for 102 or 103 would be sweet. That would be a very exciting fight with someone getting knocked the fuck out for sure.
Looks like it'll be Thiago Silva vs The Dean of Mean, Keith Jardine.. yikes Keith's going to get bum-rushed and KTFO'd early once again.
Add another KO to Keith's highlight reel of KO losses. Thiago is going to bum rush the shit out of him. I was really hoping for Cane/Silva.
Looks like this one is signed. I wonder what happens if Bisping beats Henderson? He becomes the #2 contender, or does he have to fight another gatekeeper before getting his shot?
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the Junior dos Santos/Justin McCully fight. I don't know what the hell Joe Silva is thinking with that one.
I don't have anyone else available to fight Dos Santos??? If I give Dos Santos another HL Reel KO fight, he'll gain more popularity??
I guess, but knocking McCully out isn't a step towards stardom. Most of the heavyweights are booked or just coming off fights, but that doesn't necessitate throwing whoever is left in against each other. They could just have him wait a little longer and fight Kongo/Berry/Carwin/Gonzaga or whoever. If Santos wins the fight he gains virtually nothing, and if he loses its a huge embarrassment that derails his career for the short term.
I think it can raise his profile if he demolishes McCully and it's shown on the PPV as filler. If he struggles or loses, well it means Dos Santos is not as good as advertised or McCully is getting better. Most likely Dos Santos should run right through him. It also means Dos Santos is burning through his 'rookie' contract with the UFC and can expect a pay raise too. I would imagine most fighters would like to stay busy and get paid to fight more often than less too. The bottom line is that it doesn't really raise Dos Santos' title aspirations but that's about all it hurts. Given the lack of depth in the HW division, I don't think it kills it either. He's realistically 2-3 fights away from a title fight at best regardless.