Not long after Benson Henderson had the UFC lightweight belt fastened around his waist, questions arose about who he would fight next. UFC commentator Joe Rogan said at the end of the UFC 144 broadcast it would be Anthony Pettis. Frankie Edgar, who just lost his belt in a close fight, said he should get it. Nate Diaz and Jim Miller are fighting in May and the winner of that bout also has legitimate claim to a title shot. Who would you give it to?
Anthony Pettis: He is one of just two men to have beaten Henderson. Their WEC 53 bout, the last bout the WEC ever produced, was close until Pettis pulled out the "Showtime kick." There's no doubt they would produce another exciting bout.
On the other hand, does a split decision over Jeremy Stephens and a knockout of Joe Lauzon qualify you for a title shot? That's all Pettis has done since losing to Clay Guida, who lost to Henderson.
Frankie Edgar: Not only was his loss to Henderson a close decision even refuted by UFC president Dana White, but Edgar had to give immediate rematches twice while champ. Why shouldn't Henderson do the same?
On the other hand, it would tie up the belt with the same two fighters vying for it. Again. Ben Fowlkes from MMA Fighting pointed out that while not granting an immediate rematch to Edgar would be unfair to him, it would be extra fair to everyone else. Do you want to see Edgar in another rematch, or do you want to see someone else get a shot?
Winner of Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller: On May 5, the two will square off on the UFC's next Fox card. With both fighters floating near the top of the lightweight division, this bout has title eliminator written all over it.
On the other hand, Miller lost to Henderson in August. For Diaz, a win would give him his third straight, but his resume isn't more impressive than the other top lightweights.
Time for you to play matchmaker. Who would you give the next lightweight title shot to? Tell us in the comments, on Twitter or on Facebook.
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