The UFC is never quick to announce fights prematurely in case it gets fans hopes up, but there is two big rumors floating around for fights in the respective Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. First, Anderson Silva is just coming out of a loss to Michael Bisping which many people believe should have been a win, but his next fight will still be a big fight for the former champion if the rumors turn out to be true. Also, rising up and comer Stephen Thompson just came off a huge win over former Welterweight champion Johny Hendricks when he knocked him out in the first round. Now, he may get a shot to be a the last man to challenge for the title.
Anderson Silva has been on a losing streak for nearly four years. It is hard to deny the man who looked so good in his loss to Bisping, but he has to pick up a win eventually. Silva loss to Weidman twice with one being horrifying leg break and then did beat Nick Diaz, but the drug test failure did make him have that win taken away. The rumor is that he will now face off with Gegard Mousasi who just picked up a decent win over Thales Leites. Mousasi has had his ups and downs but seems to have found a rhythm going 3-1 in his past four with the loss being a huge upset. The only other option may be a fight with Tim Kennedy who has a passion for fighting steroid users.
Stephen Thompson is currently riding a 7-1 streak in the UFC, and the only loss came seven fights ago to Matt Brown. Plus, he has four TKO/KO finishes in his last five fights. Those wins also include taking down veterans in Jake Ellenberger and Patrick Cote along the way. The current rumor is that the rising star will face off with GSP protege Rory MacDonald. in the last six years, MacDonald has only ever lost to current champion Robbie Lawler, twice. Who knows how much more he needs to prove to fight for the title, but this may confirm that Tyron Woodley is next in line for Lawler.