UFC 143 books and Carlos Condit is now the interim welterweight champion of the world. Now it’s time to put the hats of Sean Shelby and Joe Silva on and figure out exactly where the five most intriguing fighters of the card and figure who they fight next. As always you can read our play by play here.
Carlos Condit vs. Georges St. Pierre – Dana White has said that he wouldn’t have a problem with Condit waiting for GSP to heal up and not defend the interim title. I could see him doing that, as well, because fighting GSP is “life changing money” and I can imagine he waits for the big money match instead of taking another fight in the interim. If he opts to take a fight in the meantime, as November is a long time away and Condit came away fairly healthy, Josh Koscheck would be the likely matchup. Johnny Hendricks is another solid matchup I can see as well as the winner of Ellenberger/Sanchez.
Nick Diaz vs. Jon Fitch – I don’t think Diaz is retiring like he said in his post fight conference but if he does intend to I can see why. If he opts to stay and fight Jon Fitch is in a same spot: just lost to a top contender and needs to get back up. It’ll be a good fight as to whether or not Diaz’s bottom game can overcome Fitch’s grinding style of top control. The big question has been whether or not Diaz can beat a top wrestler; the last guy with good wrestling credentials he fought was Sean Sherk. He’s going to have to face a wrestler at some point and Fitch would be ideal. I could see Koscheck going here, as well, and the loser of Sanchez/Ellenberger could be in this spot too.
Renan Barao vs. the winner of Urijah Faber/ Dominick Cruz – Barao didn’t stop Scott Jorgensen, who’s a really tough fighter, but he did beat him quite convincingly. I think he’s earned a title shot at this shot in a fairly shallow division. Barao has been considered by many the best fighter in the world who hasn’t fought for a title, or own one, and I think it’s his time. He did enough to win; I’m not sure if it’ll be good enough against Cruz or Faber BUT it makes for an intriguing style match up against either.
Matt Riddle vs. Dan Hardy – Hardy needs a fight and he’s lost four straight in the division to top guys. Outside of Chris Lytle the other three losses were to GSP, Condit and Anthony Johnson. All three of the latter were considered by many to be Top 10 fighters; GSP is the reigning champion and Condit the interim title holder right now. Right now we need to know whether or not Hardy is still good enough to hang in the UFC; he had such a meteoric rise and his fall has been that much more disappointing. He’s also a great guy and nearly beloved by fans; Riddle would be a great test. Riddle is in the same spot as a guy who likes to fight in a similar manner. I could see them putting Riddle against Matt Brown, Duane Ludwig or Josh Neer as well; Riddle still hasn’t made that leap from prospect to potential top 10 fighter and he won’t get someone like the winner of Jake Shields/Akiyama just yet.
Fabricio Werdum vs. Frank Mir – Both men are on the cusp of a title shot and need one more win before the winner of Overeem/Dos Santos. Both men are also first rate grapplers who’ve managed to develop their striking from bad to good enough to win a fight with over the years. Werdum just beat “Big Country,” who’s the gatekeeper to the elite of the division. If you can beat him you deserve to be in the mix for a title shot. Mir has a great streak going right now, having just finished Big Nog a second time. Werdum has elite status based off the Fedor win and now the dismantling of Nelson. If Werdum beats Mir then he ought to be next in line to either rematch JDS or Overeem; Mir ought to get another crack if he wins one more.
