Anderson's out until 2010, so why not have Nate Marquardt Vs. Dan Henderson for the interim Middleweight title in a 5 rounder? This is a great idea that I've not heard discussed yet and would make this fight more marketable.
solid point. Then when Anderson comes back, he can make a decision to fight at either 185 or 205. The only downfall is if he decides to fight at 205 exclusively and the winner of the 185 title will be considered a paper champion forever.
I'm not a big fan of interim titles, but I am a big fan of 5 round fights. Zuffa, make it happen.
RaginRedneck169 - solid point. Then when Anderson comes back, he can make a decision to fight at either 185 or 205. The only downfall is if he decides to fight at 205 exclusively and the winner of the 185 title will be considered a paper champion forever.
I dont believe henderson or Marquardt would be considered a paper champion both would be well deserving champions
TheTrollSmasher -RaginRedneck169 - solid point. Then when Anderson comes back, he can make a decision to fight at either 185 or 205. The only downfall is if he decides to fight at 205 exclusively and the winner of the 185 title will be considered a paper champion forever.
I dont believe henderson or Marquardt would be considered a paper champion both would be well deserving champions
Well deserving champions yes, but until they beat Anderson, they are a paper champion. There is really no way to avoid that. Even if one of the two beat Anderson at 205, there would still be critics that say they didn't do it at 185 where he holds the title.
2010 is only 4 months away... champions have taken much longer off than this and no one was calling for an interim belt.
Nothing devalues belts more than having "Interim" in front of the title... the UFC has had way too much of this already.
how they fight for simply the clear #1 contender spot?
lets avoid interim champions if possible.
Interim belts are garbage and have no place.
Hendo/Bisping was for right to fight Anderson...
If Hendo fights Marquardt... UFC will need to kick in bonus money for re-neg on a deal agreed to...
Hendo is right...
yeah hendo's definitely right. he's got NO need to prove shit to anyone. he earned his second shot handily.
If Anderson vacates 185, why would Henderson/Marquardt be a paper champ? They would be the best middleweights, since Anderson would no longer be a middleweight.
I actually like this idea a lot. Giving them 5 rounds gives us a much better shot at a clear outcome and contender to Anderson. Doesn't have to be for an interim title, just hold it in Vegas where you have the ability to make it a 5 rounder now anyway. This is the perfect example of a fight that should be 5 rounds (both these guys are championship level if not for Anderson). Dana/Joe, make it happen!
by the time hendo fights nate it will already be 2010 before either of them will fight again.
lets make all fights for an interim title
Here's a scenario no one has addressed yet.
Let's say Hendo and Marquadt fight for the #1 contender status like all the good little boys on the UG want. Great, we now have a #1 contender.
Now, Anderson Silva (in a bout of douche-baggery) decides to drop the 185 strap and move up to 205 lbs.
WTF do we do now? The loser of the #1 contender match would still likely be considered the 2nd best guy in new Anderson-less division. You obviously can't just hand the belt over to the winner of that match. At the same time, it's not good marketing to have the winner fight a lesser quality opponent than he just fought, as it devalues the title.
Also, it would obviously be way too soon for a re-match between Hendo and Marquadt. So what do we do??
orcus - If Anderson vacates 185, why would Henderson/Marquardt be a paper champ? They would be the best middleweights, since Anderson would no longer be a middleweight.
This is 100 percent correct.
some good trhinking on this thread
16-10HangEmUp -orcus - If Anderson vacates 185, why would Henderson/Marquardt be a paper champ? They would be the best middleweights, since Anderson would no longer be a middleweight.
This is 100 percent correct.
Honestly think about how that would look. You both have been around the UG long enough to know that they would catch so much shit for that. The end result is unless you beat the man who has the title, you will forever live in that shadow.
Ex. When Randy left the UFC as the Champ it tainted the Nog v. Sylvia interim belt.
Not of a fan of interim belts. Hendo and Nate should fight it out and then wait for Anderson to come back and then fight for the belt.
Heartbroken Lee -TheBear228 - Here's a scenario no one has addressed yet.Well, if you're Dana you ask Silva if he's staying at 185 before you stage that fight. Problem solved.
Let's say Hendo and Marquadt fight for the #1 contender status like all the good little boys on the UG want. Great, we now have a #1 contender.
Now, Anderson Silva (in a bout of douche-baggery) decides to drop the 185 strap and move up to 205 lbs.
WTF do we do now? The loser of the #1 contender match would still likely be considered the 2nd best guy in new Anderson-less division. You obviously can't just hand the belt over to the winner of that match. At the same time, it's not good marketing to have the winner fight a lesser quality opponent than he just fought, as it devalues the title.
Also, it would obviously be way too soon for a re-match between Hendo and Marquadt. So what do we do??
The problem isn't solved, because the problem wasn't addressed. All you did was present a solution to prevent the problem, not address how to solve it.
Anderson Silva could easily change his mind. The fact he doesn't want to extend his contract and box RJJ shows UFC, Dana, and his belt aren't exactly his long-term goals. I could easily see him doing something like that to stick it to Hendo and Nate, as he feels both are inferior to him, as well as to Dana to guarantee he can get out of UFC to box.