Sherdog is reporting that Randy Couture is considering a drop back to light heavyweight. With Couture’s age he will most likely need a 7-12 month lay off before he fights again so we will have to wait a while before we get to see Randy fight at 205lbs. But if Randy makes the drop who should he fight?

Really there are two categories for a potential light heavyweight opponent. The first category are the “legacy” bouts/fighters.

• Tito Ortiz – rematch of their UFC 44 title fight.


• Mark Coleman – He’s old, Randy’s old. Seems to make sense. Although, I wouldnt bet on it. Mark trained with Randy for his previous bout against Stephen Bonner. Not to mention, Coleman may die in his upcoming fight against Tito.


• Wanderlei Silva – One of those dream match-ups from earlier this decade. But, again, Wandy and Randy were training partners when Silva moved to Vegas. This only ended recently when Wandy opened his own gym.


• Chuck Liddell – The fourth chapter could generate some serious PPV revenue. But, excluding casual fans, who would really want to see this fight?


• Dan Henderson – Henderson wants to fight at 205lbs. if he isn’t fighting for the 185lbs. title.


• Rich Franklin – If the UFC ever lets him stay at light heavyweight we could have a former champion bout.


• Vitor Belfort – Depending on how Belfort’s second UFC run goes we could be seeing this fight again.

The second grouping concerns fighters who are currently contending for the 205lbs. title.

• Lyoto Machida – Current champion.


• Mauricio “Shogun” Rua – current number one contender.


• Rashad Evans


• Quinton “Rampage” Jackson


• Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – just entered the UFC but could be one or two fights away from a title shot.
  
  Noticeable absent names.
  
  
• Forrest Griffin – Griffin’s loss to Anderson Silva eliminates him from the running as of this moment.


• Matt Hamill – Hamill would need a noticeable win to even be considered. But stylistically this would be a great fight for Randy.


• Brandon Vera – Did you see his last fights?


• Jon Jones – unless the UFC wants to Randy to be the sacrificial lamb led to the slaughter this seems unlikely.


• Thiago Silva – another exciting light heavyweight fighter but a fight wouldn’t generate the PPV buzz required.


• Luiz Cane – see above