While both lightweight and welterweight bouts have significant impact on their respective divisions, not every fighter is contention for a title shot.
UFC president Dana White announced during a media call earlier today and confirmed that should Nate Diaz and Johny Hendricks win their bouts against Jim Miller and Josh Koscheck respectively, they will receive title shots.
“Should Diaz win, Diaz is definitely getting a title shot. Should Miller win, Miller’s probably going to be a fight or two away,” White told MMAFighting.com.
Since moving back to 155 pounds, Diaz has made a strong case to get into title contention. He is on a two-fight win streak defeating Takanori Gomi and Donald Cerrone. Meanwhile, Miller has also had a remarkable run, recording a seven-fight win streak, before being stopped by current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
White also sees a similar route for up-and-comer Hendricks, who he said will be next in line for a welterweight title shot should he get past Koscheck. Hendricks forced fans to immediately take notice of him following his knockout victory over Jon Fitch at UFC 141.
Both divisions have now become much more prominent with rising stars like Diaz and Hendricks, and they hope to continue their impressive runs en route to challenge for a title shot.
Although the light heavyweight and heavyweight division have been known to generate most of the company’s revenue, certainly the lighter weight classes are proving their worth and become much more marketable with UFC fans.
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