The main event in last night's UFC 144 was fantastic. I could accept either fighter being named the winner, but was happy when Bruce Buffer announced that Henderson had won. There's a lot of talk of an immediate rematch or trying to convince Edgar to move down. I'm against having the immediate rematch: the lightweight title has been tied up for too long and there are other fighters worthy of a shot. With that said, I think if Edgar stays at lightweight, one win should be all it takes to get him another crack at Benson (assuming he wins his first defense). With that said, what do I want to see?
Benson Henderson versus Nate Diaz or Anthony Pettis
There are a lot of interesting title matches now that Henderson won, however, there's a good number of top lightweights coming off losses or that have already lost to Bendo. Nate Diaz is not in that category, and so if Diaz gets past Miller, he deserves the shot. If Miller wins, it seems too soon for Miller/Henderson II, so giving Henderson the opportunity to avenge his most recent loss (to Pettis) makes the most sense. The first fight between the two was a tightly contested classic. There's no reason to believe the rematch won't also be hot.
Frankie Edgar versus Jim Miller, Clay Guida, or Chad Mendes
Miller and Edgar have fought before, but it was in 2006, not in the UFC, and the fight went to decision. If Miller gets past Diaz, he'd deserve a title shot, but just having fought Henderson in January, he probably wouldn't get one yet. Matching Miller up with Edgar with the winner earning a title shot (even if it's against Henderson) makes sense. If Miller loses, Guida would be an attractive alternative. If the UFC can convince Edgar to drop to featherweight, a matchup with Chad Mendes to see if Edgar was ready for Jose Aldo would make sense. Sure, Edgar could be given an immediate title shot against Aldo, but giving him a trial run at cutting to 145 seems like it'd make for a better title fight later.
Ryan Badar versus the Alexander Gustafsson/Antonio Rogerio Nogueira winner
Perhaps Bader deserves a bigger step up than this for beating Rampage, but I'm not sold on him as a title contender especially since that was a poor looking Jackson. As such, I think this matchup provides the ability for the winner to take on a bigger opponent with a win bringing about the title opportunity.
Rampage Jackson versus the Alexander Gustafsson/Antonio Rogerio Nogueira loser
Quentin looked awful in his lost to Bader, and we may have seen the end of his days at the top of the lightweight divison. Rampage and the loser of the Gustafsson/Nogueira fight will both be in need of a win and matching them up is the best way to guarantee that one of them gets it.
Mark Hunt versus Mike Russow
What to do with the Super Samoan? I certainly didn't expect him to defeat Kongo. Hunt is now on a three fight win streak but his gas tank is certainly a question. Russow has proven his ability to take damage and keep fighting and should force Hunt to prove he has the cardio to last longer and still drop bombs.
Jake Shields versus Martin Kampmann/Thiago Alves winner
GSP's extended time on the mend has jumbled up the welterweight division. The creation of the interim title was a good start, but if the UFC doesn't have Condit defend it before GSP gets back, it really isn't helping much. Ellenberger deserves to get the interim shot, and if he doesn't, he deserves the Koscheck/Hendricks winner over Shields. As such, the next best option is to give Shields the winner of Kampmann/Alves. Shields split decision win over Kampmann was questionable, so I don't think having them rematch would be considered too soon.
Tim Boetsch versus Chris Weidman
Boetsch moved himself up the middleweight charts by taking out the most recent title contender in dramatic fashion. Weidman also is coming off of a win against a former title challenger. Matching up the two should put the winner in position to take part in a #1 contender's match.
Hatsu Hioki versus Jose Aldo
Hioki was brought in the UFC to be a contender to Aldo's throne. After a lackluster performance against George Roop, Hioki was by far way more impressive in his defeat of Palaszewski. Now is the time to cash in and match him up with Aldo. No one else in the division (unless Edgar moves down) is really title shot ready at this point, but there are a number of fighters that are close to being there.
Anthony Pettis versus Benson Henderson or Gray Maynard
I've already discussed the Henderson/Pettis matchup above. If Nate Diaz were to get the shot instead (perhaps Pettis gets a shot in May/June and Diaz gets winner?), pitting Pettis against Maynard is a good way to have Pettis definitively earn a title shot.
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