Josh Grispi becomes number one contender; fights Jose Aldo at UFC 125

Josh Grispi has long been heralded as “the next big thing” in the 145-pound division.

While Jose Aldo got their first, Grispi was never far behind. Opening up his WEC career with a first-round submission victory over current featherweight contender Mark Hominick, everyone knew that “The Fluke” was no joke.

After going a perfect 4-0 within the organization, picking up wins over Micah Miller, Jens Pulver, and L.C. Davis in his last outing, finishing all competitors inside of the first-round, people were clamoring for a match up pitting the Massachusetts native against the Brazilian phenom, and when word had it that Grispi would next be taking on Eric Koch in November for WEC 52, it looked like his coveted shot at the title would have to wait.

Well, Mr. Grispi, wait no longer.

According to <a href="http://www.heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2010/10/aldo-vs-grispi-in-the-works-for-ufc-125/”>Heavy.com, Josh had been pulled out his bout with Koch in favor of a title fight against reigning champion Aldo, most likely serving as the co-main event of the evening at UFC 125.

The event will take place in Las Vegas, Nev. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on New Year’s day.

At just 22-years-old, Grispi has laid claim as one of the best in his class, and remains one of the only true challenger’s to Aldo’s 145-pound title. While Hominick remains a threat, his viability as a contender is dwarfed by the loss to Grispi, who went undefeated in his WEC tenure.

The bout pitting Aldo and Grispi against one another will be a milestone for the organization, marking the first time that featherweight contest has taken place inside the UFC, since the WEC-UFC merger was announced yesterday.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the match up? Is Grispi the true number one contender, or would you have rather seen Hominick in there? Sound off in the comment section below.