To truly understand Gilbert Melendez’s place among the MMA lightweight elite, you really have to look at that statement, made by Melendez after he beat Josh Thomson by split decision to defend his Strikeforce title in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday night on the main card of Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier.

Melendez is considered by many the best lightweight in the world, and it would be easy to look at his razor-thin victory over Thomson as a sort of rebuke to the argument many make, that Melendez is that good; we just haven’t seen it yet.

After a sound thumping of Jorge Masvidal in his previous title defense, another example of how “El Nino” is a big fish in a small pond, Melendez’s post-fight speech Saturday showed exactly what he really thinks about his current situation.

Mainly … he needs either better fighters or a push to the UFC. Nothing else will do at this point.

That’s been the main refrain from many over the past year since the UFC purchased Strikeforce and it became an ugly truth Saturday night. Melendez and Thomson have a unique chemistry in a cage in that 75 minutes of their lives later we still don’t know who exactly the better fighter is.

They’ve fought three times without a decisive winner, despite Melendez’s hand being raised on the past two occasions. It’s similar to how Dennis Hallman has been a pedestrian fighter but holds multiple victories over UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes. Whenever Thomson is opposite Melendez, the Strikeforce champion will always have his hands full. It’s just how they match up.

As good as Thomson looks against Melendez, he probably wouldn’t do the same to the top tier of the lightweight division; he’s continually hurt and has fought with multiple serious injuries many times. To his credit, many would argue he won Saturday’s fight against Melendez. All three times he’s stepped into the cage with him he’s given Melendez everything he had and is the last man to defeat the champion (in June 2008). Thomson would make for an interesting opponent for many of the top guys in the UFC but he’ll most likely remain the best fighter in the gym to never put it all together inside the cage come fight time. He makes for a great opponent, oddly enough, but he’s not a top-five fighter like Melendez.

Right now the fact that Gilbert Melendez is still in Strikeforce only damages his career.

It’s something Melendez touched on further with Showtime announcer Mauro Ranallo. He gains nothing by fighting whoever’s opposite him that Strikeforce has under contract. Pat Healy will most likely be rightfully awarded the next title shot because of the good work he’s put in over the last 12 months, of course, but Melendez is a premier fighter. Right now, based on how he reacted after the fight, one thing is for sure: Melendez is bored. Strikeforce is now a gilded cage to him as he stands on the outside looking in to the elite fighters in the world in the UFC. Healy will be a good challenge, but this isn’t the type of fight he needs or warrants at this point.

Right now, at 30 years old, Melendez is in the prime of his career. A fight with Healy will give him that same “yeah, whatever” attitude that a fourth fight with Josh Thomson gave him in San Jose. It’ll be the same type of win that he had over Masvidal, most likely, where he’ll win but he’s not inspired. After that, one shudders to think if they’ll put someone like K.J. Noons up against Melendez, if only because they have no one else to put against him.

If Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC and Strikeforce, is to keep Melendez under the Strikeforce banner, he needs a challenge. Thomson is a matchup problem, but not someone who inspires the best out of him at this point in his career.

One can imagine what Melendez feels deep inside when he sees his teammate Nate Diaz get a title shot against the winner of the rematch between former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and the man ranked No. 1 in the world, current belt-holder Benson Henderson. It’s the title shot Melendez should have instead of fighting what amounts to the B-team of MMA lightweights. Until he does he’ll remain in the same spot: on the outside looking in.
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Sapp lost fairly early to Palelei at this weekend’s Cage Fighting Championship 21 in embarrassing fashion. You can watch below.

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The champion apparently crashed his Bentley around a light pole, injuring no one (including himself). First Round Management sent out a statement confirming the arrest and asking for privacy on behalf of the fighter and his family.

“I can confirm that Jon Jones was arrested early this morning on suspicion of DUI,” Malki Kawa said in the statement. “While the facts of this situation are still being gathered and situated, First Round Management fully supports Jon and we are asking for fans and media to respect the privacy of Jon and his family during this time.”

Per MMA Fighting: “According to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Jones was arrested at 5:02 a.m. after suffering “minor injuries” following a one-car accident wherein his car struck a pole. Sheriff’s office officials refused to comment on whether there were any passengers in the car with Jones at the time of the accident.”

Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Chris Spang

Round one: Both come out swinging as there’s no feeling out process. Both are throwing wildly and not connecting flush, though. Burrell wins the early exchanges as he’s using a nice double jab to gauge distance. Spang attacks the lead leg with and outside leg kick that connects. Spang with a head kick and the two start throwing, Spang grabs the clinch and gets Burrell against the cage. Goes to the single but can’t finish, Burrell fights it off and gets back up but is still against the cage. Spang lets go and back to the center, Burrell connects. Spang connects with a big left and Burrell is ROCKED! Spang unloading out of the Muay Thai plumb as Burrell is eating a lot of knees. Burrell is in survival mode right now but isn’t trying to defend himself all that well. Spang is brutalizing him right now and Burrell just sorts of falls down, out of it. Josh Rosenthal steps in and stops it at 3:44. Chris Spang wins via TKO due to strikes at 3:44 of the first round.

Rafael Cavalcante vs. Mike Kyle

Round one: big knee from Cavalvante and connects followed by a big right, Kyle is ROCKED! Cavalcante pounces on him and unloads, grabs a standing guillotine and pulls guard. Kyle tries to slam him but Cavalcante holds on, rolls into mount and Kyle taps at: 33 of the first round. Cavalcante wins by guillotine choke at: 33 of the first round.

(Lightweight Championship Bout) Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson

Round one: Melendez stalks Thomson down as neither is connecting with light strikes. Flurry but nothing connects from both men. Thomson goes for a trip takedown after a striking exchange but can’t finish. Melendez comes in throwing but Thomson does a good job countering, neither connecting. Melendez grabs the double leg against the cage and drags him to the ground. Melendez can’t hold him, though, as Thomson wall walks to his knees. Melendez is using his body well to keep Thomson there, though, but Thomson gets to his feet. Melendez is controlling the cage well as he’s being very methodical here. Melendez with the body lock but can’t finish, wild uppercut misses as Thomson with a nice straight. Melendez with a nice straight right, Thomson goes for the takedown but can’t get him down. He’s looking to counter but Melendez isn’t letting him set up those counter strikes. Melendez catches a body kick and gets the takedown and a scramble ends the round. Melendez 10-9

Round two: Melendez pushes the pace early on and is throwing much more. Some exchanges and Melendez goes for the double but Thomson defends well and Melendez backs out. Thomson is waiting and Melendez isn’t throwing wildly to open himself up. Thomson with a nice head kick that hits hands. Melendez gets Thomson against the cage with some powerful body shots and grabs the clinch, Thomson against the cage. Melendez with some nice rangy left jabs, feinting to see how Thomson will react. Melendez is pressing the pace but isn’t throwing wild; everything is combinations and good defense. Thomson with a nice series of strikes that back Melendez up. Some light exchanges as Melendez hits a nice uppercut. Melendez with an eye poke three minutes in. Melendez is countering Thomson will and Gil is throwing wild, connecting with a lot. Some terrific exchanges here. Gil is leading with body shots and following up with straights. Lands a beautiful double leg and hits a lift, dumping Thomson to the ground. Thomson wall walks back up, though, and Gil makes him pay as he gets up with some nice uppercuts. Thomson gets away and goes for a single leg takedown, round ends and he can’t finish it. Melendez 10-9, 20-18 so far.

Round three: Thomson comes out with some urgency as he’s looking to throw as opposed to counter. Melendez eats a head kick that mainly lands off his hands. Thomson is looking for a takedown but Melendez is throwing uppercuts whenever he goes in. Thomson hits a straight left and goes for a double leg of his own, Melendez defends it well. Melendez is now throwing more body shots and uppercuts and connecting well but his face shows a lot of damage right now. Thomson with an uppercut of his own and both men are turning up their pace significantly. Thomson gets the trip takedown but Melendez backward rolls out of it. Melendez is following weak jabs with solid uppercuts and body shots; Thomson isn’t looking for the takedown as much because of it. Thomson goes for the takedown and eats a number of uppercuts for his effort and a wild flurry Melendez wins. Thomson gets eye poked again and a quick break. Thomson goes for a clinch and Melendez blocks; champion gets slightly kneed in the face. Melendez with some nice jabs. Round ends with the two waiting to throw but not pulling the trigger. Melendez 10-9, 30-27

Round four: Thomson bringing the fight early but Melendez controlling the center better. Nice double jab from Melendez followed by an overhand right that misses. Thomson with a nice straight right and a great left head kick. Melendez backs him off with a front push kick. Another great straight from Thomson but Melendez hits the double and dumps him to the ground again. Thomson wall walks his way back up, though. Melendez with a nice combination after Thomson gets up, though. Melendez backs him off and goes for the double leg takedown but can’t finish. Backs out and eats an elbow on the exit. Thomson is a bit more aggressive but not connecting with much; Thomson is backing off as soon as he goes for the double jab. Thomson with a trip takedown and actually gets it this time but gives up his back and Thomson gets his back. Locks in the rear naked choke and has a body triangle, Gable grip but Melendez fights it off beautifully. Melendez gets back up but Thomson drags him down again. Melendez survives as the round ends. Thomson 10-9, Melendez up 39-37

Round five: Melendez comes out more aggressive, throwing a bit wilder than he has been. He’s fighting like he feels the fight is tied at two rounds apiece and not up one. Gets the double leg and takes him down, Thomson back up after flashing his back and we’re back in the center of the cage. Melendez is moving very cautiously now as he’s moving laterally and is sticking and moving now, as opposed to walking him down. Great right from Thomson coming out of a trip sweep attempt. Thomson is winning the exchanges now; Gil is very leery of his power right now after the end of the fourth. Nice left kick from the champion aims for the head but hits mainly body. Thomson with a wild double leg and can’t finish, eats a knee on his way back up. Melendez goes for one of his own and can’t finish. Another eye poke with less than 2 minutes remaining. Melendez is backing off now as Thomson is fighting more desperately now. Wild exchange from Thomson as Melendez is fighting not to lose now as opposed to trying to win. Thomson is using great head movement and counters. Melendez with a double leg and gets stuffed, Thomson pours it on in the final minute. Takedown by Thomson off the trip and Melendez pulls closed guard. Thirty seconds left and Gil is hitting some solid punches from the bottom. Round and fight ends with Thomson on top. Thomson 10-9, Melendez is up on our scorecards 48-47. Wouldn’t be a surprise if Thomson snuck out a 48-47 decision out of this; Melendez looks worse for wear and Thomson has the late fight momentum.

Official decision: 48-47 Thomson, 48-47 Melendez, 48-47 Melendez. Melendez wins by Split decision.

(Heavyweight Grand Prix Championship Bout) Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier

Round one: Barnett snaps with a couple of really crisp jabs but slips on a body kick attempt. Up quickly and Cormier is chasing him across the cage. The two are throwing hard as both are swinging powerful crosses; Cormier snaps Barnett’s head down right into his head. Barnett is looking for the takedown but Cormier is using his footwork to keep the fight standing. Barnett is pushing forward quickly; he doesn’t want to get into exchanges with Cormier as his face is bruised up already from some big shots. Cormier in the clinch and two exchange knees. Cormier is really looking crisp with his striking right now. Clinch from Barnett but he can’t do anything; Cormier’s strikes look significantly faster and crisper than ever. Cormier fakes a double and Cormier lands some big shots going backward. Barnett with another body lock but can’t get Cormier to the ground. Cormier is using push kicks and front kicks really effectively. Barnett lands a great shot and Cormier is rocked, but Cormier grabs a body lock and presses him against the cage as the round ends. Cormier 10-9

Round two: Barnett comes out fast but Cormier lands a really crisp combination. Barnett is taking a lot of damage as he wades in, looking to get the takedown. Barnett is looking to counter more but Cormier is moving in and out before Barnett can land anything significant. Great combination from the Olympian that he finishes with a leg kick. Cormier fights off another bull rush style takedown attempt from Barnett and lands a hard body shot. Barnett goes for a big right and Cormier ducks into a single leg. Runs the pipe to get him down and Barnett into full closed guard. Cormier with some light ground and pound as Barnett is trying to get his hips high. Cormier is doing a great job at keeping him where he wants; Barnett goes for a triangle but eats a big elbow for his efforts. Barnett goes for an armbar from the bottom but Cormier easily gets out of it and Cormier lands back in guard. Barnett’s face is bleeding profusely, wearing the proverbial “crimson mask.” Round ends with Cormier landing short strikes to the face. Cormier 10-9, 20-18 so far.

Round three: Barnett comes out more upright than before, looking to strike as opposed to going purely for the takedown. Barnett lands a couple strikes and get Cormier up against the cage, goes for a single leg but Cormier defends easily. Cormier gets away and we’re back to the middle of the cage. Cormier lands some nice exchanges as Barnett is settling into more of a kickboxing match. Cormier with a single, Cormier defends the pipe running but Cormier picks him up in a high crotch and slams him , landing into side control. Barnett gets out and back to his feet. Barnett is using more kicks now, missing a head kick barely and landing one to the body. Cormier’s boxing is terrific, still. He’s taking Barnett apart with his punches. He’s getting in and out easily; Barnett goes for a knee strike and Cormier catches it but can’t finish. Cormier catches him with a big uppercut and Cormier hits a beautiful head kick then unloads on him. Cormier grabs Barnett’s waist from the rear as Cormier looks to be going for a suplex. Barnett gets up to the cage and rides it out until the round ends. 10-9 Cormier, 30-27 Cormier.

Round four: Barnett comes out very aggressive in the fourth but he looks like he’s been beaten up; his face does not look good at all. Goes for the clinch but Cormier fights it off, though, and back to the center. Some light exchanges and Cormier lands a beautiful left hook that staggers Barnett. A good exchange as Barnett misses a knee and Cormier finishes with a big uppercut. Cormier with a beautiful right head kick that lands flush. Barnett bull rushes up and gets Cormier against the fence; Cormier pushes Barnett’s head and rides it out back to the center of the cage. Spinning back fist from Barnett that misses. Barnett is coming forward and throwing big shots but not connecting; Cormier is moving too quick for him. Cormier grabs a single leg and Barnett goes for a rolling knee bar and grabs a heel hook but Cormier escapes. Cormier lands in Barnett’s closed full guard. Cormier stands back up and both back on their feet. Barnett with another bull rush but can’t finish as the round ends. Cormier 10-9, 40-36

Round five: Barnett comes out much more aggressive but fight stopped at 40 second mark to clean up some water on the mat. Barnett bull rushes him back to the cage again and Cormier fights him off fairly well. Both exchange strikes against the cage and Cormier circles away. Cormier with a nice head kick and Barnett responds with a body kick of his own. Cormier is fighting really smart now as he knows he’s up and letting Barnett chase him. He’s not wading in as he was in the first four rounds. Cormier with some nice striking as he’s hitting some beautiful combinations of his own. Cormier with a double leg and drags Barnett down. Barnett immediately backup but Cormier goes for the throw. Barnett avoids being tossed but winds up with his back against the cage. Cormier has no problem keeping him there as he’s not really working to do anything else right now. Barnett is trying to get off the cage but Cormier is using his body to keep Barnett up against the cage. Cormier lets him go and backs off, running away for the final 10 seconds.. 10-9 Cormier, 50-45 Cormier

Official Decision: 49-46, 50-45, 50-45 Cormier by Unanimous decision.
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There are two Chael Sonnens who exist in the realm of MMA occupying the same body. There’s one I genuinely like watching … and then this other version of him that was interesting for a short while but has played itself out more significantly than Sacha Baron Cohen trying to put together a sequel to “Borat.” Both of them come out early and often in Sonnen’s new book, “The Voice of Reason: A V.I.P. Pass to Enlightenment,” a short but fairly unremarkable novel.

One side of the Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling alternate is great fighter who has fashioned himself into the agent-provocateur of the sport, a guy who can and will say anything to get a reaction. Sycophants talk about how big of a draw that guy is when in reality the numbers are a lot more deceiving. Sonnen may get hits, and inflame MMA hardcores and media members alike, but the reality is that this first version of Chael P Sonnen is a loudmouth who casual fans ignore on a regular basis. More people paid to see Anderson Silva knockout Vitor Belfort, amongst others, then they paid to see Sonnen nearly defeat the champion in what was labeled by many as one of the best fights of all time at UFC 117. That guy may move the needle on internet traffic but doesn’t quite do so elsewhere.

On the other side is the Chael P Sonnen that many fans don’t tune into: Chael the pragmatic, honest MMA analyst. For those who never saw him on ESPN’s MMA Live, or on UFC Insider, Sonnen has a tremendous approach to looking at and evaluating the sport he makes a living from. If there was never this brash, unapologetic Sonnen that turned off as many fans as he turned on then he’d be recognized in the same way that Brian Stann is: as an eloquent ambassador of sport. This is the guy I personally enjoy the most; Sonnen has such a unique and interesting take on MMA and all the hoopla surrounding it that it provides a fairly interesting perspective. That guy may not move the needle but he’s the kind of fighter cum analyst the sport needs.

Coupled with his ultimately failed political run and his fairly nuanced take, the latter Sonnen comes through for most of the book’s fairly short length. This isn’t a complex or in-depth novel; at 224 pages it’s a fairly quick and easy read. And it gives us both sides of the middleweight contender that fans have comes to known: Chael the showman and Chael the man.

The man’s a lot more interesting to read about because Sonnen can’t embellish a story or leave some sort of embossed tale about an opponent. When he’s discussing fighter pay, the costs of a major fight from his perspective and the trials of training there’s something honest about it that all his promotional pieces and smack talk don’t hit to. He has a tough life as a fighter and he doesn’t mince words on the highs, and lows, of the sport at its highest levels. Whenever he discusses his sport from his personal perspective there’s a rawness to it that’s almost shocking. Even amusing pieces, like his discussion of entrance music and guys creating characters to play (he lists Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone as one), ends up becoming page-turning material because of his frankness about it. Sonnen is a fairly gifted story-teller in that regard.

As he discusses how he got into amateur wrestling, how hard he worked to become as good as he is and his experiences in wrestling rooms over the years there’s something deep about it that offers a genuine connection to a man who frankly doesn’t have much genuine persona to harness. When the showman is out you roll your eyes and laugh; when the man is out you pay attention because there’s something thoughtful coming out. It’s akin to his smack talk before the Michael Bisping fight on Fox and before the Brian Stann fight. He was his usual self against Bisping, of course, but during the Stann buildup there was something genuine about how he discussed his friendship with Stann and about how about how Stann’s bravery in combat made intimidating him fairly difficult. Even when he discusses his politics, to which he leans unabashedly conservative, there’s a genuineness to it that is less provocative and more insightful.

The problem is that Chael the showman and wannabe comedian pops out regularly enough to kill the genuine intrigue the book has to offer. When he’s discussing the origins of (and applications to MMA therein) of traditional martial arts it becomes less funny and more obnoxious to read him discuss what he obviously doesn’t care all that much for. It’s akin to watching Cohen trolling America once again as Kazakhstan’s most famous reporter: we’ve seen so much of it that there’s nothing new to say. There’s no new realm to shock; just new ways of saying the same things he’s been saying for quite a while now. He once said that getting a black belt from the Nogueira brothers was like “getting a toy in your Happy Meal” and there’s nothing that’s nearly as creative or insulting as that piece was several years ago.

“The Voice of Reason: A V.I.P. Pass to Enlightenment” is a strong seller so far because Chael Sonnen has been fairly good at self-promotion for some time. But it’s not a great book, nor is it that much of a good one. It’s a quick read, and priced well, but not essential reading material.
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Winners

Chang Jung Sung vs. Jose Aldo – Provided Aldo gets past Eric Koch, of course, but Sung deserves the next title shot. A genuine stunner of a victory to me, as I didn’t put much stock into his wins over Leonard Garcia and that flash KO of Mark Hominick, but he’s changed my mind. Sung looks like a genuine contender for Jose Aldo’s title right now. Poirier was a quality win and a title shot in a division as shallow as featherweight ought to be next for Sung.

Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis – A matchup we never saw in the WEC and one that would be a great final test for Pettis. He’s one fight away from a title shot and with the way the division is lining up he’ll be waiting for a long time to get another crack at it. Nate Diaz is also waiting, as well, thus Pettis needs to stay busy and keep winning. Cerrone is a top 10 lightweight and was on the cusp of a title shot himself. The winner of Clay Guida vs. Gray Maynard would be another possibility for Cerrone, as both of those fighters are contenders as well.

Amir Sadollah vs. Stephen Thompson – The UFC doesn’t generally tend to matchup winners and losers, of course, but after losing to Matt Brown quite badly Sadollah would be a good test for “Wonderboy.” Sadollah has a similar style and is another type that is an early level gatekeeper. If Thompson can’t beat Sadollah or Matt Brown then he doesn’t deserve to be in the UFC, really. That’s where we are with Thompson at this point and Sadollah is about as good of an early level gatekeeper as it gets. If Dan Hardy beats Duane Ludwig you could see that matchup as well; Matt Riddle could also be a possibility.

Tom Lawlor vs. Yushin Okami – Another loser/winner matchup, I know, but Lawlor’s win gets him right back to where he was a short while ago: on the cusp of another top 10 opponent. Okami’s had a bit of a bad streak, getting tooled by Anderson Silva and then wrecked by Tim Boetsch after winning the first two rounds in Japan. Two guys with differing momentum can make for a fun matchup. I could see them putting in someone like Rousimar Palhares or the loser of Ed Herman/Jake Shields in this spot too.

Yves Jabouin vs. Michael MacDonald – MacDonald has a hand injury, of course, and most likely is out for the interim title fight against Urijah Faber. My guess is that Renan Barao gets announced as Faber’s next opponent on tonight’s “Ultimate Fighter.” Jabouin could be a title contender with a high level win and MacDonald is in the same spot; sometimes you have to beat a burgeoning guy to get that final seasoning. Mike Easton could step in as well, having originally been scheduled to face Jabouin before pulling out with an injury.

Losers

Jeremy Stephens vs. the loser of Clay Guida/Gray Maynard – Stephens is almost settling into the role of being a guy that’s really good but is in such a stacked division that cracking the Top 10 might never happen. Kind of like Pat Barry but smaller and not unconscious all the time, it seems. Stephens vs. Guida/Maynard would be a great style matchup and the loser of this particular fight is going to fall down the ladder in line for a title shot considerably. Stephens is a tough fight but winnable for both, obviously, and a win over either of Guida/Maynard gets Stephens right back where he was before the Cerrone fight. I could see a rematch of the Melvin Guillard fight, if Joe Silva wants to be a sadist.

Dustin Poirier vs. Miguel Torres – Poirier didn’t just lose; he got manhandled for a large portion of the fight. But he’s still a top fighter and will probably challenge for a title down the road. Torres makes sense; he’s got name value and that scalp on his resume still means something. Potentially the loser of the interim title fight could make their way opposite Poirier, as well.

Jason MacDonald vs. Rousimar Palhares – Both of these fighters needs a win right now. Palhares was just stopped by Alan Belcher a fight or two away from a title shot. MacDonald needs to win his next fight or else he’s probably off the UFC roster. Great fights usually happen when fighters get desperate, especially when you get guys who have great ground games. I wouldn’t be surprised if MacDonald called it a day and walked away from the sport, of course, but I think he has a couple of great fights left in him.

Jorge Lopez vs. DeMarques Johnson – Lopez has lost twice in the UFC, so my guess is that he won’t be around for a third fight, but he’s shown enough I think he warrants one. He has a great pedigree and the Sadollah fight was a split decision, so it’s not like he’s lost in dominating fashion twice. Johnson would be a nice matchup for both of them and potentially a fight where the loser is out of the UFC.

Jeff Curran vs. John Lineker – Curran wants to go to flyweight, and had been talking about doing so before Tuesday’s fight. If the UfC allows him to, and my guess is that they will considering the division is just beginning, then a fight with Lineker makes sense. Curran is a cagey veteran and Lineker had high expectations coming into the last UFC on Fox card. Lineker has been bandied about as a future champion but a bad loss to Louis Gaudinot has halted talks of that. He still has tons of ability, though, and a fight with Curran could bring it out.
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Check out the latest edition of UFC Primetime, featuring Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir.

Go inside the personal lives and training camps of heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos and former champion Frank Mir in the weeks leading up to their title fight at UFC 146.

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UFC 146 takes place on May 26th and will be headlined by a UFC Heavyweight title bout between champion Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir.

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Dominick Cruz, the current UFC Bantamweight champion, was injured and forced out of his contest at UFC 148 after an ACL tear, thus putting a damper on a potential third fight in their trilogy.

The top three contenders to fight Faber include Renan Barao, Michael McDonald and Ivan Menjivar.
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