GRIFFIN > BONNAR > JARDINE > GRIFFIN & JARDINE > GRIFFIN > JACKSON > JARDINE *
JARDINE > LIDDELL > W SILVA > JARDINE
* – The ampersand indicates a “double loop.” In this case the Griffin/Jardine fight was an equal part of two separate three fighter loops.
As always, click the link for the full-scale version. Lossless version available by e-mailing me. I took out the TUF 8 fights because they have next to no relevance. I also made a mistake with two Jason Lambert nodes, but it’s of no consequence.
Notes:
The loops really hurt Keith Jardine and Forrest Griffin who lose their victories over Chuck Liddell and Quinton Jackson respectively (and consequently are stuck with their losses to Houston Alexander and Tito Ortiz).
On merit alone, it looks like Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida are both worthy of their title shot guarantees.
I’m not a huge fan of Stephan Bonnar taking on Mark Coleman, though that’s rooted in my feeling that Coleman shouldn’t be fighting. I’d rather see Bonnar fight Thiago Silva or a rematch with Jardine.
Chuck Liddell gains nothing if he defeats Mauricio Rua at UFC 97. Though it’s still an interesting and relevant fight.