After Kenny Florian's huge win on Wednesday night over TUF contestant and fan favorite Joe Lauzon, Florian is set to take on the winner of the long awaited bout between Sean Sherk and arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world in BJ Penn. Once a winner is determined at UFC 84 in May, Florian will undoubtedly be the next in line for a title shot. Unfortunately for Florian, the UFC could potentially make one of the most exciting fights happen before his title shot materializes.
Many fans are calling for a matchup between Florian and UFC standout Roger Huerta, and it's actually not a bad idea. Huerta has been the UFC's project for quite some time, racking up undercard, main event card, and eventually main event wins over venerable opponents that have tested every facet of his skillset. His jiu-jitsu, submission defense, striking, and his cardio have all been challenged, and he passed with flying colors through every struggle. Along with the challenges came huge rewards in exposure to the casual fanbase that enjoys the UFC on basic cable month after month. His status as a major draw for an event can be seen in his main event bout with Clay Guida, and battling another TUF contestant with equal exposure could garner a huge draw for the UFC on a pay-per-view event or event a UFN card.
Can Florian vs. Huerta be this year's major blockbuster battle? I'm not inclined to think that they have the massive drawing power of Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell, but the excitement level is definitely interesting. I believe it could legitimately do great numbers on a UFN card or even a PPV card considering the fact that both men have been featured recently on UFN main events, and both are considered to be the top contenders in the Lightweight division. Both fighters can bang, brawl, grapple, escape, and overall have very well-rounded skillsets that could make for an exciting battle. The only real x-factor is the overall enthusiasm from the casual fanbase. Being a hardcore fan of the sport makes me an always excited fan of seeing matchups of this caliber.
Will the UFC make this matchup? It's very possible considering the time off after "Ill Will", and the little over a month delay between Florian's last fight and Sean Sherk vs. BJ Penn. I think it would be more beneficial to get Florian another fight at the end of the summer against Huerta instead of throwing him up against Penn or Sherk by the fall. Undoubtedly, Penn or Sherk will sit tight for Florian/Huerta by the fall or end of the year. It is starting to look as if title holders are keeping those belts safe for longer and longer between fights. Nonetheless, Florian and Huerta are now definitely both in the hunt for that shot, and it seems only logical to believe this fight could happen.