BJ Penn Down, Aoki UP
For the first time in MMA history, the two top lightweights may lose their ranking only a week apart. At UFC 112, Frankie Edgar ended the reign of former champion B.J. Penn in a five-round decision. Penn was widely considered the top lightweight in the world with the no end of his supremacy in sight.
When Strikeforce rolls into Nashville on April 17, Dream's lightweight champ Shinya Aoki's current top ranked position is in jeopardy.
Aoki faces a similar fate as Penn when he squares off with Strikeforce's title-holder Gilbert Melendez in a cross-promotion mega fight. If Aoki should lose, the lightweight division will undergo a major face lift in only a week's time.
Flirting with the possibly of moving up a weight-class for stronger competition, Penn got a reality check on April 10. Over confident with his abilities, Penn listened as Edgar's name was announced as UFC champion and not his.
Aoki's pre-fight interviews tell an opposite tale. Shinya is focused on Melendez and understands what it means for him, as well as Dream, should he lose. Aoki is taking this fight as all-or-nothing but it doesn't mean he can't lose.
Melendez will brawl and Shinya has been knocked out by heavy hitters in the past.
Should Aoki win; then there shouldn't be any debate on who is the top lightweight right now in MMA. Should he lose; get ready for a Edgar/Melendez forum board war and the most unpredictable division in mixed martial arts.
When Strikeforce rolls into Nashville on April 17, Dream's lightweight champ Shinya Aoki's current top ranked position is in jeopardy.
Aoki faces a similar fate as Penn when he squares off with Strikeforce's title-holder Gilbert Melendez in a cross-promotion mega fight. If Aoki should lose, the lightweight division will undergo a major face lift in only a week's time.
Flirting with the possibly of moving up a weight-class for stronger competition, Penn got a reality check on April 10. Over confident with his abilities, Penn listened as Edgar's name was announced as UFC champion and not his.
Aoki's pre-fight interviews tell an opposite tale. Shinya is focused on Melendez and understands what it means for him, as well as Dream, should he lose. Aoki is taking this fight as all-or-nothing but it doesn't mean he can't lose.
Melendez will brawl and Shinya has been knocked out by heavy hitters in the past.
Should Aoki win; then there shouldn't be any debate on who is the top lightweight right now in MMA. Should he lose; get ready for a Edgar/Melendez forum board war and the most unpredictable division in mixed martial arts.
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