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First of all, I'd like to say that it's disgusting that Mike is not yet ranked in the UFC's top 15 WW rankings. Second of all I'd like to have a discussion around Platinum Mike's potential path to the title. I will do this by assuming that Mike besmirches Alves along with taking a look at the top 15 current Welterweights.
1 Stephen Thompson Forget this guy for now, had two shots at the champ and couldn't get it done.
2 Robbie Lawler Has a decent argument for a title shot but Tyron doesn't seem interested, perhaps another victory - preferably by knockout and he could be knocking on the door.
3 Demian Maia Had his chance, too old and boring to get another title shot now.
4 Jorge Masvidal Masvidal is a great fighter and has had some unlucky decisions against him but he has lost his last fight and needs two good wins before a title shot realistically.
5 Carlos Condit Don't understand how a guy who lost 3 out of his last four is ranked fifth, I get the impression Condit doesn't want to fight any more - forget him.
6 Neil Magny Possibly a win or two away from a title shot, needs to impress though as the fight with Hendricks was not a great and he lost in the first in his fight before that.
6 Donald Cerrone Lost his last two, crumbles in big fights. Should never get a title shot again.
8 Colby Covington Serious prospect with a record similar to Mikes - big difference though, Colby is boring as watching paint dry. Needs four more victories for a title shot with his style of fighting.
9 Santiago Ponzinibbio Veteran who scored a brutal KO over Gunnar Nelson recently, another KO like that and he will definitely be knocking on the door for a title shot.
10 Rafael Dos Anjos Three wins away from a title shot realistically, battle worn and small for Welterweight.
11 Gunnar Nelson Three wins, three loses in his last six. Not sure why he is in the top fifteen, over rated because he trains with McGregor.
12 Dong Hyun Kim Lost every time he's stepped up to that top level talent.
13 Kamaru Usman Four decision wins in UFC and the same record as Perry but somehow ranked higher, I suspect racism factors into this.
14 Alex Oliveira Definitely on an upward trajectory and should be ranked higher than several fighters above him on this list.
15 Tarec Saffiedine Lost four of last five, should be cut much less ranked.
Who's next?
I would say after Perry retires Alves that the most realistic fights for him are one of the following: Robbie Lawler, Neil Magny, Donald Cerrone or Rafael Dos Anjos. Mike will take care of any of these guys, three of them extremely battle worn and we've already seen what Mike does to lanky fighters in his debut so there goes Magny's chances. With a spectacular KO of anyone of these fighters on the right card would be enough for Mike to get a title shot but let's assume he needs one more win after that. Feed him Wonderboy after that, assuming Wonderboy wins his next fight if not perhaps let him retire another Brazilian in Demian Maia.
So ideally Mike's path to the title goes like this for me: Lawler -> Wonderboy -> Title Shot.
What are your thoughts Sherdog? What do you see as Mike's inevitable path to the title?
