Props to Dana and co. for giving Melendez the title shot. It's the right thing to do.

[MarkHammer]

Dana's a fan of Melendez. Of course he was going to get a title shot. Look at Nick Diaz.

Bendo will mop the floor with him though.

[Makestro]

Originally Posted by LilNubi

Isn't official yet and we still have Jones fighting Sonnen so don't get too excited so soon.

You people do realize that the largest factor to Sonnen being picked is because of TUF right? Also Sonnen was there willing to fight no matter what. Henderson got hurt, Machida said no and Gustafsson already had a fight. Not saying it was exactly the best choice, but when you factor in TUF and all the other shit going on at the time, I think it was the best option on the table. Dana didn't want to give it to Machida or Henderson and tbh if I was the boss I would've done the same.

[SeattleFightFan]

i'm weird (compared to most of sherdog) about title shots. i don't give a fuck if it is or isn't the "right" thing to do. most of the time i'm ok with the matchups, and don't get hellbent on who DIDN'T get the shot.

but i like Gil v Ben. i'll watch it.

[WrestlingIsReal]

Still believe Pettis should be next if he passes Cerrone. Dana keeps promising Pettis shots but never comes through with them.

[mmashotokan]

Originally Posted by Makestro

You people do realize that the largest factor to Sonnen being picked is because of TUF right? Also Sonnen was there willing to fight no matter what. Henderson got hurt, Machida said no and Gustafsson already had a fight. Not saying it was exactly the best choice, but when you factor in TUF and all the other shit going on at the time, I think it was the best option on the table. Dana didn't want to give it to Machida or Henderson and tbh if I was the boss I would've done the same.

In the short-term Sonnen-Jones makes more money, but in the big picture it hurts the legitimacy of the UFC. Sonnen hasn't won a major fight at Light Heavyweight since ... ever. While entertainment value matters, at last 51% of matchmaking has to be about track-record and performance, or the sport can't be taken seriously.

[Shwartz]

Mendelez pulls out of one card, killing the entire event, than he pulls out of another card, retaining his Strikeforce championship withou defending it, and he gets an immediate title shot in UFC.
At the same time they give Diaz and Hendo a tune-up fight before allowing them to fight for the title.
This situation actually surprised me.

[WrestlingIsReal]

Originally Posted by Shwartz

Mendelez pulls out of one card, killing the entire event, than he pulls out of another card, retaining his Strikeforce championship withou defending it, and he gets an immediate title shot in UFC.
At the same time they give Diaz and Hendo a tune-up fight before allowing them to fight for the title.
This situation actually surprised me.

To me its not that surprising. UFC has done some WTF decisions a lot as of late.

[MarkHammer]

Originally Posted by Shwartz

Mendelez pulls out of one card, killing the entire event, than he pulls out of another card, retaining his Strikeforce championship withou defending it, and he gets an immediate title shot in UFC.
At the same time they give Diaz and Hendo a tune-up fight before allowing them to fight for the title.
This situation actually surprised me.

Don't forget the highway robbery that was the Melendez/Thomson rubber match. Josh Thomson should be SF 155 champ, not Melendez.

[TrailerParkBoy]

Originally Posted by HaulParris

Realistically, as "stacked", "deep", "insert hyperbole here" as lightweight division is, there really isn't someone other than Melendez who is on an undefeated streak and is available to fight by April:

1) Pettis/Cowboy: Cowboy already lost to Benson twice. Pettis rematch would be awesome, but what if he loses or is injured in the fight/not ready by April?

2) Miller: got dominated by Benson a year and a half ago, is 2-2 in his last 4.

3) Maynard: perrenial contender but last fight was bad (not his fault, but still), and just had two title shots in a row a year and a half ago.

4) Alvarez: no guarantee that the Bellator contract dispute will work out by April/at all.

5) Lauzon: just got beaten by Miller.

6) I'm probably leaving someone out, feel free to correct me.

[TrailerParkBoy]

Originally Posted by WrestlingIsReal

Still believe Pettis should be next if he passes Cerrone. Dana keeps promising Pettis shots but never comes through with them.

maybe because he lost to Guida and has been on the shelf for a year or so?