Will an opponent for Keith Jardine please step up?
It has been since UFC 76: Knockout, where Keith Jardine stepped in as one of the biggest underdogs in the history of the UFC and overcame the odds, defeating the former light heavyweight champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell.
A win against the Iceman might of put Keith Jardine (who currently has a 5-2 record in the UFC) in the top 7 of the lightweight division. It has been more than 4 months and Keith Jardine’s name has not even been mentioned against a single fighter. We have been hearing rumors about Lyoto Machida and Tito Ortiz fighting, we have heard rumors about Rashad Evans and Thiago Silva fighting, and we also have Rampage Jackson facing Forrest Griffin.
So where does that leave Keith Jardine?
After scanning the deepest division in all of mixed martial arts, I have came up with a list of names that could all be possibly next for Keith Jardine.
1.) Shogun Rua at UFC 84
-Shogun Rua is coming off a very disappointing loss of Forrest Griffin. Shogun Rua was embrassed by Forrest Griffin after he was submitted in the 3rd round via rear naked choke. Shogun is more hungry and healthy than he was before. Making this fight could mean a firework show, but will the UFC really throw a name like Keith Jardine at Shogun Rua? Or will they give Shogun a “gimme” fight?
2.) Wanderlei Silva.
-Wanderlei Silva is coming off 3 straight losses. Yes, his losses are to some of the best fighters that have ever fought in the game of Mixed Martial Arts. Wanderlei Silva always makes a fight exciting to watch, and some people can even say Keith Jardine does the same. So this fight would mean a fast pace fight that could result in a first round KO. But if you also look at it, Wanderlei Silva was the biggest name to come out of Pride to enter to UFC. Wanderlei is riding a 3 fight losing streak and does the UFC really want to have Wanderlei lose 4 straight matches and damage his reputation?
3.) Chuck Liddell.
-Chuck Liddell wants Keith Jardine. Chuck Liddell normally gets what he wants considering that him and Dana White are best friends. But wouldn’t this be unfair to Keith Jardine who won a split decision over the Iceman in September? Liddell who looked like his old self in Decemeber might actually be prepared to fight Jardine this time, but this fight has already happened, so why make Jardine fight the same fighter back to back?
4.) Sokoudjou.
-Sokoudjou had a very disappointing showing in the octagon in his first bout against Lyoto Machida, but yet that seems to happen to everybody who fights against Lyoto. Sokoudjou has some of the most dangerous striking abilities in all of the land. But he is still in the same boat as Wanderlei and Shogun. Do you really want these Pride guys coming in here and fighting big names right off the bat, and then them losing and being called overhyped?
5.) Wilson Gouveia
These guys have already fought inside the octagon. Keith Jardine emerged victorious via a unam. decision during the The Ultimate Finale season 3. Wilson Gouveia has won 4 straight inside the octagon since the last time these two guys have met. So this fight would make a lot of sense to see who can make their respective ways into possibly the top 5 of the Lightweight division.
To me those are the only legit 5 options that the UFC has to offer Keith Jardine right now. If I had to honestly choose, I would rematch the Wilson Gouveia and Keith Jardine match to prove who is for real in the light heavyweight division and who should move on to the top of the light heavyweight division.
The only question I have for you guys is. Who is next for Keith Jardine?
After he picks apart Tito, Machida will be ready to do the same to Keith Jardine. The only problem is, that is quite the layoff for Jardine to wait through.
Shogun is probably the best choice. People still think Jardine may not be for real. So, Shogun will be a good bit of evidence either for or against that opinion.
I’m just testing my new avatar.
Damn.
I say, give him Shogun, soko, or wanderlei
My prediction for UFC 84 – May 24
Keith Jardine vs Wanderlei Silva
Keith Jardine may be too good for his own good. I don’t think anyone wishes to risk their career fighting him since he beat FG and Chuck Liddell. Keith is not so much a career fighter as he is a sport figher. This makes other opponents warry of him. Jardine has the classic devil may care attitude. There is no ego to protect so one wouldn’t have a mental edge over him. He is too raw a fighter.
The UFC is now modelling itself after the WWF. Jardine is too honest and real to throw a fight. The UFC may be hoping he is forgotten.