Why they went with Shogun vs. Thiago Silva:
A) 2 High volume finishers with nasty power and a fan pleasing style
B) High chance of Rashad decisioning Shogun and Dana and Co. aren't interested in spoiling one contender for the sake of one who lost to Jones 1 fight ago. Noone is interested in Jones vs. Rashad 2.
C) Shogun getting closer to a title is intriguing when he's 4-0 in rematches.
Possible rematches if he gets a title shot:
1. Shogun vs. Jones 2
2. Shogun vs. Hendo 2.......FOR THE TITLE?!?!?!?!
Can you say.....winner, winner, chicken dinner???? 
Poopyface TomatoNose - Why they went with Shogun vs. Thiago Silva:
A) 2 High volume finishers with nasty power and a fan pleasing style
B) High chance of Rashad decisioning Shogun and Dana and Co. aren't interested in spoiling one contender for the sake of one who lost to Jones 1 fight ago. Noone is interested in Jones vs. Rashad 2.
C) Shogun getting closer to a title is intriguing when he's 4-0 in rematches.
Possible rematches if he gets a title shot:
1. Shogun vs. Jones 2
2. Shogun vs. Hendo 2.......FOR THE TITLE?!?!?!?!
Can you say.....winner, winner, chicken dinner????
A-then why Frank Mir over Mark Hunt? How is Thiago Silva vs Shogun "earned"? It wasn't, but it's an entertaining fight for the fans.
Inconsistent. How can UFC say no Mark Hunt, Mir is more deserving, but now they have Thiago Silva vs Shogun. Thiago Silva literally hasn't won a fight in 3 years, and now he gets to move up and face Shogun.
Everything else, I agree
its to build Shogun up.
Shogun vs Rashad does nothing future wise for either fighter and the UFC. It puts another top fighter on a losing streak and it slightly bumps the other fighter. UFC needs to create winnable matches for both Rashad and Shogun so they can be rebuilt up to possibly face each other on win streaks.
top 5 fighters shouldnt face each other on losing streaks imo. Look at where machida is hes 1-4 pretty much
Just about the only time that Joe Silva and Dana White match up a guy coming off a win with a guy coming off a loss is if the guy coming off a loss was fighting for a title. Otherwise, it's almost always winner vs winner and loser vs loser.
It's a pretty sensible way of doing things, ensuring that there will always be guys with a few wins in a row and others with a couple of losses in a row, opening up the chance for new blood to enter into the company.
So anytime you are looking at a division and trying to see what the future will hold, it's mandatory to know who are the fighter's on win streaks and who are the fighters on losing streaks. As such, I've been organizing each division by wins and losses for a few months now and throughout today I'll be posting up my take on each division based on this data. I'm not going to be doing an in-depth feature on the flyweight division, as there has only been two fights in the division thus far.
http://www.mmamania.com/2012/3/25/2899984/breaking-down-ufc-light-heavyweight-division-mma
I think Thiago vs Rampage would be more fitting, as just as exciting.
More than that is Rampage vs Shogun, maybe not as fitting, but very exciting.
Rashad vs Shogun=Awesome. If Shogun wins, he still has a rubber match with Lyoto, maybe a fight with Gustoffson for #1 contender match.
If Rashad wins, Rashad has lots of fights that are intriguing, rematch with Lyoto, rematch with Rampage, Gustoffson. Actually, I'd like to see Rashad/Thiago 2 but with 5 rounds. I think it'd be different than the first match but Rashad has improved since then.
Have I fuckin missed something here !
Since when is shogun and Thiago fighting ? 
Irule -D241 - Just about the only time that Joe Silva and Dana White match up a guy coming off a win with a guy coming off a loss is if the guy coming off a loss was fighting for a title. Otherwise, it's almost always winner vs winner and loser vs loser.It's a pretty sensible way of doing things, ensuring that there will always be guys with a few wins in a row and others with a couple of losses in a row, opening up the chance for new blood to enter into the company.
So anytime you are looking at a division and trying to see what the future will hold, it's mandatory to know who are the fighter's on win streaks and who are the fighters on losing streaks. As such, I've been organizing each division by wins and losses for a few months now and throughout today I'll be posting up my take on each division based on this data. I'm not going to be doing an in-depth feature on the flyweight division, as there has only been two fights in the division thus far.
http://www.mmamania.com/2012/3/25/2899984/breaking-down-ufc-light-heavyweight-division-mma
I completely disagree with LHW being the weakest division in the sport. Jones, Henderson, Shogun, Rashad, and Machida are all elite fighters. Davis and Gustafsson are great prospects, and there are a few guys that could disrupt the promotions plans on any given night. Jon Jones being the talent that he is doesn't make the division weak. MW, on the other hand, is a horror show.
Fuck Yeah!! This guy actually clicked the link and read shit!!
Dude, I read my post you quoted THREE times trying to figure out, what the hell is this guy talking about? Then I clicked the link I provided and read what you're talking about down at the bottom.
I halfway agree.
I think the lhw division is arguably the most exciting division right now. BUT, in the context that I think the author was hinting at was in terms of title contenders. There's JBJ, Rashad, Machida, Shogun,Hendo and the gap after those guys is noticeable. I just don't see Gustoffson climbing the ranks by beating 2 of the above listed fighters. So as we have it now we have JBJ at thte top, Hendo next in line, then every other top guy has already lost to JBJ.
Now the LW division, that's a different story. Nate, Edgar, Miller, Maynard, Benson, Edson Barbosa, Anthony Pettis, Evan Dunham any one of those guys could fight and win the title, and the gap between their skill level is much smaller compared to LHW. Just my opinion of course.
Happening:
JBJ vs Hendo
Tito vs Forrest
Fights I'd like to see happen:
Luiz Cain vs Thiago Silva
Rampage vs Shogun 2(title this event-"Pride is on the line")
Bader vs Phil Davis
Lil Nog vs Stephan Bonnar
Cane dropped to 185. He's fighting Okami.
With what we already have booked:
Bones/Hendo
Shogun vs TSilva
I'd make...
Bader vs Gustafsson
Bonnar vs Rampage
Rashad vs Machida 2 (loser cuts to 185)
Maybe Phil Davis vs Nedkov... when's he due back?
I like both ya'lls suggestions^^^, but pwntiuspilate's list is more likely.
Bader vs Gustaffson=Awesome
Shogun/lil Nog=great storyline, hopefully great rematch
Bonnar vs Rampage=Make it happen!!
Machida/Mousasi=salivating at the mouth
Mousasi vs Shogun=win
Rampage vs Mo, we can only hope
D241 -Poopyface TomatoNose - Why they went with Shogun vs. Thiago Silva:
A) 2 High volume finishers with nasty power and a fan pleasing style
B) High chance of Rashad decisioning Shogun and Dana and Co. aren't interested in spoiling one contender for the sake of one who lost to Jones 1 fight ago. Noone is interested in Jones vs. Rashad 2.
C) Shogun getting closer to a title is intriguing when he's 4-0 in rematches.
Possible rematches if he gets a title shot:
1. Shogun vs. Jones 2
2. Shogun vs. Hendo 2.......FOR THE TITLE?!?!?!?!
Can you say.....winner, winner, chicken dinner???? <img src="/images/phone/droid.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;" />
A-then why Frank Mir over Mark Hunt? How is Thiago Silva vs Shogun "earned"? It wasn't, but it's an entertaining fight for the fans.
Inconsistent. How can UFC say no Mark Hunt, Mir is more deserving, but now they have Thiago Silva vs Shogun. Thiago Silva literally hasn't won a fight in 3 years, and now he gets to move up and face Shogun.
Everything else, I agree<br type="_moz" />
In the last 5 years, Mir has gone to exactly 1 decision. So has Hunt. But in those fights, Mir is 7-3. In Hunt's fights, he's 3-5. Also, Mir has 21 career fights and 3 decisions total. Hunt has 15 career fights and 3 decisions. Based on numbers, Mir has a better chance of not going to a decision than Hunt. Saying Mir isn't an exciting fight is either straight up hating or PRIDE nuthugging. Numbers don't lie.
As far as Thiago-Shogun...Thiago doesn't have to "earn" anything. It's not like he's getting a title shot(as the case with Mir-Hunt). Shogun is coming off of a loss too, so it fits your loser-loser, winner-winner mold.
jsize03- In the last 5 years, Mir has gone to exactly 1 decision. So has Hunt. But in those fights, Mir is 7-3. In Hunt's fights, he's 3-5. Also, Mir has 21 career fights and 3 decisions total. Hunt has 15 career fights and 3 decisions. Based on numbers, Mir has a better chance of not going to a decision than Hunt. Saying Mir isn't an exciting fight is either straight up hating or PRIDE nuthugging. Numbers don't lie. As far as Thiago-Shogun...Thiago doesn't have to "earn" anything. It's not like he's getting a title shot(as the case with Mir-Hunt). Shogun is coming off of a loss too, so it fits your loser-loser, winner-winner mold.
I don't think you understand what I'm saying.
In NO way am I saying Frank Mir wasn't deserving. Mir is aguably the most deserving candidate when we're talking about "deserving". I also think it's arguable that Mir is the best UFC hw to date.
But I mentioned Hunt vs JDS because I'm not going off of "deserving", I'm going off of the best style match up, the most entertaining fight. I will eat crow if Mir wins or makes it an exciting war(for more than 2 rounds).
Mir going to decision 1 time doesn't mean anything to me in this argument as we are talking about Mir vs JDS, or Hunt vs JDS. If someone was to tell you, JDS lost-would you think it would be to Mir or Hunt? My guess would be Hunt based on styles.
It's not "my mold", that came from the author of those 'Breakdown the xx division". But your stance on that issue intrigues me very much.
Before I try to poke holes in your logic, let me first give you a platform to explain in detail your logic for:
"Fighter X doesn't have to 'earn' anything. It's not like getting a title shot."
So let me get this straight, the only time a fighter should "earn" something, is only if it's for a title shot? I am very anxious to hear you explain this.
I'm betting if shogun gets past thiago silva rashad will be his next opponent
D241 - <blockquote style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left; font-size: small; ">jsize03- <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">In the last 5 years, Mir has gone to exactly 1 decision. So has Hunt. But in those fights, Mir is 7-3. In Hunt's fights, he's 3-5. Also, Mir has 21 career fights and 3 decisions total. Hunt has 15 career fights and 3 decisions. Based on numbers, Mir has a better chance of not going to a decision than Hunt. Saying Mir isn't an exciting fight is either straight up hating or PRIDE nuthugging. Numbers don't lie. </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">As far as Thiago-Shogun...Thiago doesn't have to "earn" anything. It's not like he's getting a title shot(as the case with Mir-Hunt). Shogun is coming off of a loss too, so it fits your loser-loser, winner-winner mold. </span><p>I don't think you understand what I'm saying.</p><p>In NO way am I saying Frank Mir wasn't deserving. Mir is aguably the most deserving candidate when we're talking about "deserving". I also think it's arguable that Mir is the best UFC hw to date.
But I mentioned Hunt vs JDS because I'm not going off of "deserving", I'm going off of the best style match up, the most entertaining fight. I will eat crow if Mir wins or makes it an exciting war(for more than 2 rounds).</p><p>Mir going to decision 1 time doesn't mean anything to me in this argument as we are talking about Mir vs JDS, or Hunt vs JDS. If someone was to tell you, JDS lost-would you think it would be to Mir or Hunt? My guess would be Hunt based on styles.</p><p>It's not "my mold", that came from the author of those 'Breakdown the xx division". But your stance on that issue intrigues me very much.</p><p>Before I try to poke holes in your logic, let me first give you a platform to explain in detail your logic for:</p><p>"Fighter X doesn't have to 'earn' anything. It's not like getting a title shot."
So let me get this straight, the only time a fighter should "earn" something, is only if it's for a title shot? I am very anxious to hear you explain this.</p><br style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: small; " /><br style="line-height: 20px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: small; " /><div style="text-align: left;"><font size="2"><span style="line-height: 20px;">
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I think Mir has a better chance to beat JDS. He has KO power and also has a ground game. Ppl think it'll be an easy win because of Mir's chin, but the times that are pointed out as examples of his weak chin are against some of the hardest hitting guys in the division. It's also the same reason ppl said he wouldn't make it out of the first round with Kongo.
As far as the second point: you have to earn a title shot. You have to work your way up the ranking in order to get that shot. Shogun is entertaining, but he's also put too high upon a pedestal. Look at his fights since coming into the UFC. Yes, he was champion. But he beat a 44 year old gassed Coleman, a deteriorated chin Chuck, and a Forrest Griffin well past his prime. He's also coming off of a loss. Saying that someone has to "earn" a shot at him is ridiculous.
I love the blind love for shogun on here "silva hasn't earned a shot with shogun" wtf ever who else is he gonna fight? Rashad? No that just puts the winner of the fight at a stand still. Gustafsson? Shogun hasn't looked good enough lately to fight a rising prospect like that. Bader? Zzzzzzzz. He's nowhere near a title shot so make the exciting matchup silva or machida