Anderson Silva Weighs in on Next UFC Title Challenger

Ed Soares, the manager for UFC Middleweight Champion and top pound-for-pound fighter Anderson Silva, told MMAJunkie that he believes Dan Henderson and Nate Marquardt should battle in a number one contender’s match.

Coming off dominant knockout victories over tough fighters–Henderson put Michael Bisping to sleep at UFC 100, while Nate Marquardt ended Demian Maia’s undefeated streak in 21 seconds at UFC 102–both, according to many fans and critics, have a valid claim to an immediate title shot. Nonetheless, the Silva camp believes the two remain one fight away from earning a shot at Anderson’s gold.

“[Silva] wants to fight the biggest fights possible,” said Soares. “Right now, I think Nate Marquardt had a great fight tonight. I think the fight that should happen is Nate Marquardt vs. Dan Henderson for the [number one contendership] title. That’s what I believe.”

While Marquardt made it clear at last night’s press conference that he is not demanding an immediate title shot, Henderson has issued more of an ultimatum. In a chat with the UFC Fan Club, Henderson said Silva is his only opponent of interest in the Middleweight Division; he remains interested in fighting at 205.

“[Silva] is the only guy I want to fight at 185,” said Henderson. “Beyond that, I would probably go up to 205 if I don’t fight Anderson at 185.”

UFC President Dana White did not make any promises Saturday, simply putting over Henderson and Marquardt as impressive contenders.

Soares added that Silva would be okay taking a short break from competition to allow for the Henderson-Marquardt fight to happen, should both fighters (and UFC) agree to the match.

Headline Planet Analysis: A Henderson vs. Marquardt fight is a gamble. While it has the potential to be an explosive fight–a solid co-main-event and a phenomenal second-from-the-top bout–it could do more harm than good in creating a marquee challenger for Anderson Silva. Presently, Henderson and Marquardt are coming off some of the most impressive, highlight-reel wins of their careers; if they have an unexciting, indecisive number one contender’s fight, the winner will not appear particularly threatening to Silva (especially since Silva stopped both Henderson and Marquardt in previous fights).

This effect was witnessed with Patrick Cote. While Cote does not have superstar charisma, he had developed some credibility with a series of impressive stoppage victories against Jason Day (not in UFC), Kendall Grove and Drew McFedries. Then, to earn the shot at Silva’s belt, he beat Ricardo Almeida in a split decision that was dismissed as an uneventful fight (while some hardcore fight fans enjoyed the tactical battle, no one thought it did Cote favors as a drawing card). The fight brought Cote’s momentum to a halt–just as he was set to headline for the belt.

At the same time, because Henderson and Marquardt are coming off definitive losses to Anderson Silva, there remains the possibility that, despite their recent impressive knockouts, fans are still not convinced in either of their chances against the Spider. A stoppage victory in a number one contender’s battle would “seal the deal” in terms of creating a great challenger for Silva and give the buyrate a nice bump.