What Fighters Will Be Champions at the Start of 2008

BigBanda · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 06:57 PM

Just give your predictions on what fighters you believe will be holding theh title for their respected weight class at the start of the new year in 2008.

HW: CroCop - If he defeats Kongo and is granted a title shot towards the end ofthe year I believe he will be champ. Now if Fedor is signed and gets immediate title shot like Dana has stated then it will be Fedor.

LHW: Rampage - I see Rampage beating Hendo. Wand I'm thinking will face Liddell around New Years if he has no probs with Jardine. Shogun is a maybe if they grant him a title shot around New Years after defeating Forrest. I think they may throw Shogun against someone else first like maybe Babalu if Babalu defeats Heath this weekend. So Rampage for now but if Shogun gets a title shot then Shogun.

MW: Anderson Silva - I think Franklin will bring a better game but not enough to defeat Silva. Silva owns the UFC MW division IMO

WW: Matt Hughes - Serra and Hughes we all know are fighting for the title towards end of the year and I dont see Serra being able to to put Hughes down. Your champion: most dominant WW of all time, "Matt Hughes".

LW: BJ Penn - Penn is rumored to be fighting in November at UFC 78. With Sean Sherk prob getting stripped of the title and Hermes also out for suspension I think the top 3 for the title will be Penn, Joe Stevenson and maybe Kenny Florian. Anyways Penn owns that division.

...and there you have it, my predictions. Dont have to put as much into it as I did but wanted to give my reasoning.

neonatural45 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:02 PM

hw- depends when nog/cro cop takes place, the winner of that will probably hold the belt in 2008
lhw- imo hendo will be champ but on borrowed time (shogun)
mw- anderson
ww- Hughes
lw- Penn

leedogg900 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:04 PM

its hard to say really because u dont know whos going to get the titles shots.

but ill take a stab at it anyways.

hw - gonzaga. i think he wil beat cotoure and probably not fight again till 2008.

lhw - rampage. i think he beats hendo altho i hope he doesnt. im really rooting for hendo but this one is too close to call anyways. then i dont think the winner fights again till 2008.

mw - anderson silva. as good as franklin is his gameplan is always to stay on the feet and he doesnt have kicks so he will not beat silva in a rematch. silva has the better hands and chin.

ww - hughs, altho i hope serra destroys him. serra vs hughs will be the last ww title shot of 07 for sure.

lw - sherk unless hes stripped of his title. if he is then id say bj penn.

but if they give frankie edgar or tavares a title shot my moneys on them.

King Fisher · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:12 PM

tough call....

HW - Cro Cop: banking on Fedor not fighting at least untill the new year, if he signs with the UFC

LHW - Hendo: This is probably the hardest division to call I think Hendo will be there for awhile

MW - A. Silva: Dont see anyone beating him anytime soon

WW - Hughes: only untill GSP takes his belt back in 08. GSP is one angree French guy and is going to exact some revenge on all 170 lbers in the UFC!

LW - Penn: though he's not going to own it, I give it to him based on Sherk being stripped, if not, Sherk will still own it

BigBanda · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Fisher

WW - GSP: He is one angree french dude and is going to exact some revenge on all 170lbers

Thats impossible because Hughes and Serra are fighting for the title at the end of the year so GSP will not have a title shot before 2008.

Dork8503 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:16 PM

If Rampage beats Hendo then him because he is taking 6 months off which is bullshit.

Fedor or Nog

mw- Franklin

ww Hughes

Lw Penn

neonatural45 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:19 PM

I do think that anderson is going to have the belt for along time, mainly becuase he has already beaten the one guy who is a top 6 middleweight in that division. Lindland and Kang are in other promotions, Filho is in the WEC, and Hendo is at 205.

If anderson beats Rich a second time there is no one to stop him imo

King Fisher · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBanda

Thats impossible because Hughes and Serra are fighting for the title at the end of the year so GSP will not have a title shot before 2008.

right, i editted it...

My bad

ArMnHC · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:22 PM

HW - Randy, until he fights Nog then he'll still be champion.

LHW - Rampage, i still believe he will TKO Hendo in the 3rd Rd.

MW - Silva, no one will be taking that belt off that man anytime soon. Sorry to all you Franklin fans, but he's going to be decimated again!

WW - Serra, im picking him in the upset yet again...plus i hate Hughes, dickhead!!!

LW - WAR BJ!

since the year is still far from over, i see one of either the LHW or HW titles also being defended on the New Years card. if not, then the break in between fights will be far too long IMO.

Ramma · #10 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 07:25 PM

I think your list is right, except HW..

CC couldn't get a shot in time even if he wanted to.

He fights Kongo in Sept, if he wins, he fights Nog in december (my guess).

I think Randy will remain champion throughout the year.

And, if it is Franklin as MW champion, I will not be surprised.