Not ready to retire, whats Next for the Axe Murderer?

Wanderlei Silva was reborn a week ago today in San Jose. His impressive TKO finish of film and television star Cung Le was reminiscent of the Wanderlei who went undefeated in 18 straight fights under the PRIDE Fighting Championships banner.

Despite what you’ve heard, the Axe Murderer appears to still has a handful of fights left in him if he continues to enforce similar game plans to the ones he enforced against Bisping in OZ and of course opposite Cung Le last Saturday at UFC 139. While he most likely will never again contend for a title there are still plenty of opponents that would make for historic fights in the career of the most loved mixed martial artist of our generation.

Lets take a gander at some of the possibilities:

Royce Gracie – That’s right. While Royce continues to explain that he will only fight in the UFC if it’s a rematch against Matt Hughes, a fight with Silva might change his mind. While Wanderlei would be a heavy favorite you never know what kind of tricks Royce has up his sleeve if it hits the ground and he’s still conscious. This is obviously more of a dream than a possible reality but I gotta throw it out there.

Rich Franklin – I’ve watched UFC 99: Franklin vs. Silva about a dozen times now and each time I score the fight for Silva. It was a close action packed fight that really could’ve gone either way. The real winner in this one was the fans in Cologne, Germany who were treated to a great Main Events between two legends of the sport. A rematch between these two gives Wand the chance to avenge a close loss and Franklin the chance to retire a legend.

Vitor Belfort – Belfort will be welcoming Anthony “Rumble” Johnson into the Middleweight division come UFC 142 on January 14th of next year. Should Vitor come out healthy, win or lose a fight against Wanderlei next spring would be the only fight that would likely interest him aside from a rematch against Anderson (still a ways off) or a date with Chael Sonnen. This would be a rematch almost 12 years in the making! Wanderlei deserves an opportunity to avenge that 44 second loss he suffered to the then young “Phenom” before he hangs it up.

Alan Belcher – In my world the most impressive win on Alan Belcher’s resume is still Jorge Santiago. A win over Wand would top that. Belcher is still considered by some to be one of the few guys who could top Anderson Silva. Recent eye issues slowed the career of ” The Talent” but his vicious display this past September in the Big Easy showed that he’s still one of the most dangerous guys at 185. If Wanderlei could upset Belcher he moves back into the T0p 10 at Middleweight.

Nick Ring – One of the most feared/masculine fighters against one of the funniest and most feminine fighters. Don’t sleep on “The Promise Ring”. This would be a fun fight for the fans.

The loser of Bisping vs. Miller – Bisping feels like he beat Wanderlei the first time around. Bisping has no argument here but a rematch between the two wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world if Bisping can’t get past Miller next week in Vegas. A win for Wanderlei gives him two over a top ten guy at 185 and a win for Bisping puts him back into the mix should he come out on the wrong end of the Miller bout.

Now if the underdog (Mayhem) drops next weeks main event against Bisping no one, I repeat, no one could argue pitting two fan favorites against each other. The Axe Murderer vs. Mayhem. This is what the Ultimate Fighting Championship is all about.

Tags: Alan Belcher, Jason Miller, Michael Bisping, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, Nick Ring, Opinion, Rich Franklin, Royce Gracie, UFC, UFC 139, Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva

Category: Exclusive, MMA, Opinion, UFC