What would you like to see UFC do with Jacare Souza now that Luke Rockhold is out of Fight Night on Nov. 26? What is your top option, what are some secondary options, and what do you hope they don’t do.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch contributor
He should get a title shot, he should be fighting Michael Bisping. Whether it’s at UFC 206 or whenever, that’s what should happen. Then it should have been Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero at UFC 205 announced as the winner fighting the winner of Souza-Bisping. To me, that was the only option. What I hope they don’t do is sit Souza down for an extended period to have him fight the Weidman-Romero winner or something like that.
ADAM TINDAL, MMATorch contributor
A good replacement for Jacare Souza would potentially be Derek Brunson. I’d be shocked if he hasn’t started campaigning for the fight already. He’s on a nice little run and his most recent knockout over Uriah Hall was highly impressive. I have my doubts about him when it comes to taking out a guy like Jacare, but we’ve seen him face adversity before and fight through. His fight against Yoel Romero was case and point on just how tough Brunson truly is and even in defeat he moved up in my book.
MICHAEL HISCOE, MMATorch contributor
It’s really too bad Gegard Mousasi just took a fight with Uriah Hall as a Jacare Souza-Mousasi rematch would have made perfect sense in these circumstances. Jacare wants Michael Bisping, but the champ seems to have other ideas. Jacare is more than deserving of a title shot and with Rockhold out it actually creates more clarity in the division with Jacare as no. 1 contender and the Weidman-Romero winner next in line.
MATTHEW PETERSON, MMATorch contributor
There is only one fight that makes sense for Jacare right now and that’s a title fight against Bisping. Bisping made the claim that he wants Nick Diaz at UFC 206, but that whole scenario is bogus. Jacare is coming off of the NC fight against Yoel Romero but he is still one of the best in the division. A fight against Bisping would be a spectacular main event in Australia where Bisping has fought previously. If that doesn’t work, they could pull either Robert Whittaker or Derek Brunson from the same card and either would be a solid fight against Jacare. All that matters is that they do not let an exciting fighter like Jacare sit and wait. He’s too good for the sport to be left on the bench.
ROBERT VALLEJOS, MMATorch contributor
Unfortunately for Jacare Souza the entire Middleweight Division is completely held up at the moment. I don’t see any situation where Souza does not have to take a small vacation. Eventually, Souza could face the loser of Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero. I know the inclination is to give Souza a shot at Michael Bisping and his Middleweight Title, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. My guess is that Bisping will face a more marquee name for his next defense. Ideally, the fairest thing to do, is to make Souza’s next fight have significant consequences for Souza if he were to win.
MICHAEL GROCKE, MMATorch contributor
This is Michael Bisping’s opportunity to legitimize his title reign by fighting Ronaldo Souza. The fight should be moved to UFC 206, which takes place in Toronto, Canada on Dec. 10. Unfortunately, all Bisping has been doing is campaigning for fights against Georges St. Pierre or Nick Diaz. For Michael Bisping it makes sense for him to want a big money fight against either Diaz or GSP, but the UFC needs to do the right thing and book Bisping vs. Souza. With Chris Weidman and Yoel Romero already booked for UFC 205, the unlikelihood of GSP returning and the fact that Nick Diaz hasn’t won a fight since he beat B.J. Penn back in 2011, I don’t see any other options for the UFC.
NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS ROUNDTABLE: What are leading contenders for Fight of the Year so far in 2016? Lawler vs. Condit? Diaz vs. McGregor? (pt. 2 of 2)
They’ve got rocks in there head if he doesn’t fight bisping