Next Middleweight Contender for Spider Silva

In Sept 2008, Anderson's manager, Ed Soares, talked about his retirement by saying that Anderson was contractually obligated to fight six more fights (the second was against Thales Leites), and would do so before retiring. Soares further stated that Anderson desires to retire when he is 35 which he turns on April 14, 2010. This means that Dana has to put him with 4 top contenders that can either prove that Silva is pound for pound or that can snatch the belt of him before he retires. One of these four fighters left to fight Silva is Forrest Griffin in UFC 101 in, 8th of August. However this will be in 205 pound division therefore its will not be a title match, which raises the question who will be the number one contender. Here are the most likely fighters for the No.1 spot in chronological order:

1. Dan Henderson: He as recently defeated Palhares and Franklin and is in the TUF show and will face Bisping in UFC 100. Since Henderson has more experience, has never been knockout and has the ability to ground and pound Bisping, he is most likley to be next in line for the title shot rematch.
2. Damian Maia: Currently undefeated (10-0) and has recently beaten; McDonald, Quarry and Sonnen. Futhermore he will face top contender Marquardt in UFC 102 , August of 29th. Marquardt is also on a good form as he has recently defeated Kampmann and Gouviea. Maia would probally win because he showed against Sonnen that he has no problem taking anybody down and the fact that he is one of the, if not the best BBJ mixed martial artist means that he will also submit Marqduadt and be second to face Silva.