Jon Anik thinks the UFC’s middleweight division has by no means been stronger.
Because it stands, there are a slew of potential title challengers at 185, specifically Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Khamzat Chimaev, and Nassourdine Imavov. The query of who’s subsequent for reigning titleholder Dricus Du Plessis is in no way a simple one, however for the longtime play-by-play man, Strickland makes probably the most sense.
Not simply because he sits because the division’s top-ranked contender, however as a result of he’s earned the rematch by being an organization man by way of and thru.
“I don’t assume it’s hyperbolic or overstating it to recommend that the middleweight division, proper now, has by no means been stronger,” Anik instructed The Schmo. “Proper? Sean Strickland’s a worthy number-one contender. Nassourdine Imavov, on and on it might go!”
He continued, “In a straight meritocracy, I’m on document as selling Sean Strickland as a result of he has repeatedly stepped up for the promotion. Allow us to not neglect he put his quantity 4 rating on the road in opposition to Alex Pereira when no one wished to struggle ‘Poatan.’ He has stepped into most important occasions in opposition to guys, he’s stepped right into a 5 spherical struggle in opposition to Paulo Costa. And he fought Dricus Du Plessis toe-to-toe. So in a straight meritocracy, if I’m the promoter, I lean Strickland.”
Jon Anik thinks ‘Borz’ could possibly be subsequent for izzy
Though UFC CEO Dana White has already promised Strickland his rematch with Du Plessis, it’s not fairly that straightforward. Later this month, we’ve acquired an enormous matchup between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev that would very effectively produce the following middleweight title challenger.
Then there’s Israel Adesanya who, regardless of having misplaced back-to-back bouts, is at all times proper there within the title image and will step in at a second’s discover.
Requested what’s subsequent for ‘The Final Stylebender,’ Anik advised {that a} conflict with Chimaev could possibly be his ticket again to the title, however that each one is dependent upon how issues play out between ‘Borz’ and Whittaker in Abu Dhabi on October 26.
“I feel in the event you’re Izzy, you simply lay again within the lower and possibly it’s Khamzat. I imply that’s a struggle that I feel would have some enchantment however Khamzat could possibly be in a championship setting.”
