The End of the Anderson Silva Era

bret69

It's going to happen sometime, likely very soon and maybe even next Sat night.

For this fight with Weidman, bookies in the US are giving Silva his lowest odds to win since the 2008 fight with Dan Henderson.

Now some are saying that after yesterday's conference call, Silva sounds like he is accepting that there is a real possibility he'll lose:

http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/6/25/4464024/with-legacy-secure-anderson-silva-says-fighting-is-no-longer-about

Who thinks Weidman is the man to end The Spider's streak? Is it a bunch of hyperbole?

scudzilla

Depends which Silva turns up, if it's the one who can't be arsed and is just there to take the piss then there's a high chance he'll lose, if he turns up totally focused, determined and at the top of his game then he'll walk it

nino1

scudzilla wrote: »

Depends which Silva turns up,

that is such a bs excuse!
its like all the bj penn fans (I am one myself) who would say, oh, bj was unmotivated for his last fight, if he is motivated for the next he will win!
bull$hit.
he lost because he is past his prime.

Anderson silva looked unmotivated against leithes and maia because he was scared of their ground game and that's why he danced around for so long.
its no coincidence they were both very high level bjj specialists.

bret69

I think he went through a bad/lazy run a few years ago but the first Sonnen fight really woke him up and he's been on fire since!

All KO's since with no fight going past the 2nd round.

cowzerp

nino1 wrote: »

that is such a bs excuse!
its like all the bj penn fans (I am one myself) who would say, oh, bj was unmotivated for his last fight, if he is motivated for the next he will win!
bull$hit.
he lost because he is past his prime.

I half agreed with your post, the half i didn't was this-BJ even at peak fought half assed several times-Been 100% fit was never high on his agenda.

El Guapo!

Silva will no doubt go down as the greatest of all time.
He knows that his career is coming to an end though. And that's why he comes out with the line that, "it's not the winning that counts anymore". Of course winning counts. He's only saying that because he knows he's probably heading towards a loss soon.

scudzilla

nino1 wrote: »

that is such a bs excuse!
its like all the bj penn fans (I am one myself) who would say, oh, bj was unmotivated for his last fight, if he is motivated for the next he will win!
bull$hit.
he lost because he is past his prime.

Anderson silva looked unmotivated against leithes and maia because he was scared of their ground game and that's why he danced around for so long.
its no coincidence they were both very high level bjj specialists.

It's not an excuse at all, it's the truth.

If Silva turns up ready to go, firing on all cylinders then he'll destroy wiedman in any way he wants, but if he's complacent in any way, like he has been in a few fights, then he's gonna go down.

Problem is, until the fight starts ya never know which it's gonna be, chances are it'll be him on top form but he gets very....i dunno...can't be arsed with this guy sort of thing.

EvanCornwallis

nino1 wrote: »

Anderson silva looked unmotivated against leithes and maia because he was scared of their ground game and that's why he danced around for so long.
its no coincidence they were both very high level bjj specialists.

Yeah, pretty much.

The trouble in his career has come from the ground, two of his losses by submission and the others from being controlled on the ground for the majority of the fight. Although the okami fight was only a couple minutes in before the great KO.

He has come on since then , but obviously he is way more comfortable on his feet.

Mr. CooL ICE

I find it hard to fathom Silva ever losing. He has been like feckin superman for what seems like forever. I still can't believe how fast and agile he is at 38.

Compare him to another great like Couture who would lose 1 or 2, come back victorious before losing again, rinse and repeat. Silva has been at the top of the division for a long time and has made almost all his opponents look silly.

Kieran81

nino1 wrote: »

Anderson silva looked unmotivated against leithes and maia because he was scared of their ground game and that's why he danced around for so long.
its no coincidence they were both very high level bjj specialists.

he looked bored in those fights , not unmotivated imo ,Maia and Leithes never get any stick for their performance in those fights , the reason those fights stank was down to Maia and Leithes being unable to be competitive . They are both as good as it gets when it comes to ground fighting , but thats not worth much when you can't take your opponent down there .
As for all the talk of his era coming to an end I don't see much foundation to it , sure he could lose next time out , anyone could ,but the main argument is always he's getting older ( obviously he is ) but for me he is getting more dominant every fight , he has hardly broke sweat since the first sonnen fight and it's not as if he's like chuck or wandy where there's years of damage building up and the battles are adding up , he's rarely walked out of a fight with a scratch on him since becoming champ , if the hunger is still there he'll be at the top for a while yet

Ardeehey

Silva signed a massive contract lately with the UFC and is maybe looking towards a catchweight fight against GSP...he is guaranteed his purse regaless of weather he's a champion or not...but reckon he'll win this one, no-one is at his level in that weigh division

TCP/IP

What channel can I see this on?

El Guapo!

TCP/IP wrote: »

What channel can I see this on?

See what?
Silva v Weidman?

MrStuffins

I hope everyone keeps talking like this.


It'll give me the opportunity to grab the best possible odds on Silva winning by finish. 5/6 at the minute to win by KO/TKO.

Silva has spent his career fighting the best in the division. This fight will be no different and I can't see it finishing differently either.

nino1

MrStuffins wrote: »

I hope everyone keeps talking like this.


It'll give me the opportunity to grab the best possible odds on Silva winning by finish. 5/6 at the minute to win by KO/TKO.

Silva has spent his career fighting the best in the division. This fight will be no different and I can't see it finishing differently either.

I don't know about that.
I think he has been lucky that out of his 16 ufc fights he has only met two wrestlers.
It's no coincidence that the six rounds he has lost in the ufc have been by these two and sonnen even admitted that weidman is better than him.

TCP/IP

El Guapo! wrote: »

See what?
Silva v Weidman?

Yes this fight is it on ESPN or Fightnation?

Professey Chin

TCP/IP wrote: »

Yes this fight is it on ESPN or Fightnation?

ESPN July 6th (Well 7th for us). Not sure if 2 or 3 am

MrStuffins

nino1 wrote: »

I don't know about that.
I think he has been lucky that out of his 16 ufc fights he has only met two wrestlers.
It's no coincidence that the six rounds he has lost in the ufc have been by these two and sonnen even admitted that weidman is better than him.

He won those fights though.

Wrestling might be his wreak point, but nobody has been able to win a fight against him while using it.

Nappy

I can't see anyone beating Silva, not even chuck Norris....

Be like Nutella

Silva will hit him how and when he wants and eventually tag him and finish with knees and punches. If Silva had visibly slowed down or looked older in the ring I'd think differently but he hasn't slowed even a bit... if anything he has improved more and more every year. I genuinely think he is a better fighter right now than he's ever been in other words he is the best fighter right now that has ever been in MMA in any division... IMO.

Weidman is hyped up a bit more than his record or performances deserve and it's not his fault. He IS a very good fighter... but he is not a great fighter.

This is the last big PPV middleweight fight for the UFC for a few years if Silva wins! They have a lot riding on this - a loss and rematch would make Dana's year because the GSP fight is a long way off, as is the Jones fight - so what do they do with Silva if/when he wins ? Belfort rematch? I'd actually love that more than this fight but I'm not sure they could sell enough PPV for that one after the Segal kick.

Mellor

bret69 wrote: »

For this fight with Weidman, bookies in the US are giving Silva his lowest odds to win since the 2008 fight with Dan Henderson.

I'm happy about that

EvanCornwallis wrote: »

The trouble in his career has come from the ground, two of his losses by submission and the others from being controlled on the ground for the majority of the fight. Although the okami fight was only a couple minutes in before the great KO.

Only one of the two sub losses was from the ground.

And which other losses was he controlled on the ground for the majority of the fight?

EvanCornwallis

Mellor wrote: »

Only one of the two sub losses was from the ground.

And which other losses was he controlled on the ground for the majority of the fight?

He still got tapped and it occurred on the ground , obviously it was one of the best submissions of all time. The point I made stands what ever way you want to look at that one.

Azeredo.

DrPhilG

Nappy wrote: »

I can't see anyone beating Silva, not even chuck Norris....

You'd better be watching your back...

Because someone else is...

Mellor

EvanCornwallis wrote: »

He still got tapped and it occurred on the ground , obviously it was one of the best submissions of all time. The point I made stands what ever way you want to look at that one.

You said the trouble came from the ground. I was pointing out that the sub verses Ryo Chonan came about standing. The fact that he was on the mat when tapping is about as relevant as somebody falling to the mat when TKO'd.

Azeredo just lay on top of him without much offense. So I'd count that one as controlling him.

Okami. Are you joking? Silva danced around him avoiding his strikes. Okami missed every takedown attempt. When it went to the mat, it was Silva in control in triangle and then open guard positions.

I haven't seen his triangle loss so cant comment.


The fights with Sonnen are hugely relevant here. His losses aren't. Your point regarding his losses, especially Chonan and Okami is way off the mark.

Ush1

I do think there is something special about Weidman and that he is a legitimate threat to Anderson. He has the tools to finish the job that Chael showed how to start.

My only worry is that he hasn't fought in so long so I still certainly give the edge to Anderson. I'll put money on Anderson but it's a very interesting match.

The Bored One

I think the important question about anyone fighting Anderson Silva isn't whether they have the skills or abilities to actually beat him. It's whether they can do it without making a mistake.

Plastikman_eire

Ush1 wrote: »

I do think there is something special about Weidman and that he is a legitimate threat to Anderson. He has the tools to finish the job that Chael showed how to start.

My only worry is that he hasn't fought in so long so I still certainly give the edge to Anderson. I'll put money on Anderson but it's a very interesting match.

I think the first Sonnen fight has skewed peoples perception of Silva's vunerability to wrestling, Silva has said he was injured, and he clearly didnt perform to his potential in that fight(Against an medically assited opponent i'll add), so id tend to believe that they injury was genuine .

I think the 2nd Sonnen fight is more indicative of how Anderson handles his business.

Also, I can't help thinking that Weidman has been hyped up a bit, stopping Mark Munoz does not equate to taking out the GOAT in my eyes, and ring rust is likely to be a factor as well.

Be like Nutella

Weidman has to compete on the feet to get into the positions which give him his best chance... which is top control on the ground looking for subs using powerful wrestling and GnP. He can't compete on the feet, no way in hell, Bisping is better on the feet than him, as is Belfort, he won't get where he needs to be often or long enough.

I just don't see the strong argument to support the major hype around this encounter. If Weidman had made 2 or 3 other top 185ers look normal I would totally change my position... but he hasn't. We're operating on 50% hype / 50% reality.

He beat Munoz well, fair enough Munoz is good. Props for that one....ONE.
But a decision with Maia at 185 lbs??? That ain't gona cut it - that does not scream Silva Beater! Plus he hasn't fought in a year. This Hype should be tempered. He's simply the last remaining challenge at 185 in the world for Silva and that's why he got the fight... NOT because he's good enough to beat Silva - he simply isn't.. not if we're rational about it... I reckon.

Ush1

Plastikman_eire wrote: »

I think the first Sonnen fight has skewed peoples perception of Silva's vunerability to wrestling, Silva has said he was injured, and he clearly didnt perform to his potential in that fight(Against an medically assited opponent i'll add), so id tend to believe that they injury was genuine .

I think the 2nd Sonnen fight is more indicative of how Anderson handles his business.

Also, I can't help thinking that Weidman has been hyped up a bit, stopping Mark Munoz does not equate to taking out the GOAT in my eyes, and ring rust is likely to be a factor as well.

The 2nd fight with Chael Anderson got taken down easily and mounted, completely lost the first round. He made a not so thinly veiled attempt to wipe vaseline on himself and also held on to Chaels shorts.

His vulnerability to wrestling is real, he's been taken down by Hendo and even Thales Leites.

Be like Nutella

Ush1 wrote: »

He made a not so thinly veiled attempt to wipe vaseline on himself

proof?

Ush1

Be like Nutella wrote: »

proof?

Did you not watch the fight?

http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/141506/vdzn2w_medium.gif

http://im41.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Anderson-Silva-Rubbing-Vaseline.gif

Yves Lavigne even came over with a towel and wiped him.

Be like Nutella

I did a couple times - but never noticed it or heard bout it til now - wow - well at least the ref caught him so the result was legit. That's so blatant. If he was going to just wipe off some because he thought there was too much on his face or brow or whatever then he could have wiped it on his shorts but he clearly spreads it on his body for a purpose.

RainMaker

conspiracy alert!

I wonder did Chael slip on some Vaseline when he tried to throw that spinning elbow

Be like Nutella

hahaha love it

EvanCornwallis

Mellor wrote: »

You said the trouble came from the ground. I was pointing out that the sub verses Ryo Chonan came about standing. The fact that he was on the mat when tapping is about as relevant as somebody falling to the mat when TKO'd.

Azeredo just lay on top of him without much offense. So I'd count that one as controlling him.


Okami. Are you joking? Silva danced around him avoiding his strikes. Okami missed every takedown attempt. When it went to the mat, it was Silva in control in triangle and then open guard positions.

I haven't seen his triangle loss so cant comment.


The fights with Sonnen are hugely relevant here. His losses aren't. Your point regarding his losses, especially Chonan and Okami is way off the mark.

Falling to the mat when TKO'd hmm.
Awful comparison feel free to try again.

Well of course you count it , we all do.

Fine , most of his trouble has come through grappling, I'll Proof read my posts from now on to make sure my wording in air tight.

No, they aren't ! sorry again. My point was his main trouble in his career has been on the ground/grappling which is correct. An observation i made in relation to a good post from the first page. I broke down his other two losses one he was controlled and the other I said was only two minutes long and nothing could really be taken from it.

That fight was about as relevant a loss as jones/hammil or Fedor/Kohsaka 1

Wrong again. Sonnen fights had no relevance to my point , as those fights took place after the fights I was discussing. They can be used to further my point as a whole , but since that initial post was taking a look at Silvas mind set in the fights, I could hardly use fights that hadn't occurred at that time.

Ush1

Be like Nutella wrote: »

I did a couple times - but never noticed it or heard bout it til now - wow - well at least the ref caught him so the result was legit. That's so blatant. If he was going to just wipe off some because he thought there was too much on his face or brow or whatever then he could have wiped it on his shorts but he clearly spreads it on his body for a purpose.

I'm not saying he's a cheat just that he obviously has a weakness against wrestlers and knows it himself.

Be like Nutella

well I think that was cheating - but it was fixed by the ref. I just never heard bout it til now.

If anything it's his apparent weakness against wrestling which has actually opened up his finishing opportunities against those wrestlers who go in there to take him to the mat. He works on what he's great at - he's never in there to wrestle - he's there to watch you try wrestle with him... knowing 100% that you have already given up completely on standing with him. Hence Sonnen's approach shocked him completely - and when Weidman talks about improving on Sonnen's ground game v Silva he's missing the point I think - it wasn't about Sonnen's ground game in that fight - it was about his will-power to go forward at Silva throwing straight punches at his head and forcing him backward to the cage wall. Silva has learned from that one shocking surprise and took heart from the fact that he was blind sided by a strategy he didn't expect and still managed to get the victory by being creative even after taking the biggest beating of his career ! It was his best win and the single best comeback in MMA history I reckon.

dave1982

When Andersons end comes I hope its to Jon Jones so he will go out in a "blaze of glory".Do I want to see Anderson go out on a loss to GSP no way, which I think GSP could beat Anderson by decision...... obviously.

I think if Anderson was to lose I don't think he'd fight again.

Be like Nutella

if he lost to Weidman he'd fight him again just as a challenge to himself nothing to do with legacy or getting old or business or anything IMO but deffo the Jones fight as his last fight! and he could win it I genuinely believe that... obviously he'd be underdog but he could time Jones and knock him out with a kick or punch even better than Machida could... and Machida in my opinion is Jones greatest threat in the LHW division as it stands.

Silva v Jones by end 2014 - Fight of all time. Has to be.

dave1982

Ha you have me all excited for a Jones Silva fight!!

califano

Anderson also does a great Philip Walton impression, or vice versa.

Ray Mond

Can't believe people are thinking he's gonna be beat by weidman.
Anderson is the fuccccking man nobody at MW wil beat him the only competition he's gonna have if he moves up to LHW permantly. Weidman will give him problems with his wrestling but I can only see this ending one way and that's 2nd Round KO . He's the best Fighter to ever grace the UFC . I think Jobes would be a very bad match up for him jones will thrown him around like a rag doll and pound him out.
Anderson to win in the 2nd
Cub in the 2nd
Frankie in 3rd

Be like Nutella

Alan Belcher has it bang on (only time I'll say that)

"....What worries me about Weidman is he knows just enough to get himself into trouble on the feet. He is just good enough to land a shot or two and think he can win standing up. But he can’t. No one can beat Anderson standing. Weidman has to get this to the ground, and when that happens it is Chris Weidman’s fight, Chris Weidman’s world. If this hit the floor in the first round, it is going to be insane because Weidman could sub Anderson Silva in the very first round....”

This the THE problem when fighting Silva - if you stay on your feet for one strike more than is necessary to open even a semi decent workable takedown attempt, you're done. Even a crappy opportunity you can build on needs to be taken... anything at all to change levels and get you out of trouble and holding on to him or even a single leg... anything else and you're losing the fight guaranteed!

Fights start on the feet - Weidman is smart but if he can't get in there quick enough with enough power and own a leg pretty much in the first minute then he's a fish in a barrel like every other hyped up Silva victim. Chael had exactly the right mix of crazy forward punching and dogged wrestling... I'm not sure Weidman is that brave when it comes down to it.

bret69

The amount of (seemingly neutral) fighters choosing Weidman is incredible!

Kenny Florian (UFC Tonight host, three-time UFC title challenger)
“Weidman is going to be Anderson’s biggest challenge. Weidman is a guy who can take you down, has a tremendous ground and pound game and has excellent submissions as well. I think his D’Arce choke can pose a lot of problems for Anderson Silva when the fight hits the ground. The way Anderson tries to get to his feet – and the way Weidman controls opponents on the ground using their heads – will leave Anderson very vulnerable to the D’Arce.

“If you look at what my UFC Tonight co-host Chael Sonnen did to Silva – he won all five completed rounds over two fights – and not just kinda slightly won. He dominated, and Weidman is a bigger, stronger, younger and harder-hitting version of Chael. I don’t think there is any fighter in the world who can hope to beat Anderson on the feet, but I think Weidman can and will get this to the ground and, once there, I expect him to be in a huge position to win the fight.”

Michael Bisping (No. 4 ranked middleweight contender)
“With Weidman, I think he’s got a hell of a shot at becoming the new champion. Anderson Silva is the greatest of all time but, believe me; Weidman has a very bad style for him. A nightmare style, really. Weidman will be able to take Anderson down, and do serious damage when he does so. Weidman has a great ground game, and that’s where Anderson has shown vulnerabilities. Chael Sonnen took Anderson down at will and Anderson hardly ever got himself up; he had to wait for the end of the round. When I fought Chael I got up every time and punched him in the face. Anderson is the best fighter of all time, but his weakness is wrestling and Weidman is at least as good as Chael in that area.

“Also, you have to factor in that Anderson has been doing this for a very long time now. He’s put his body through a lot in the gym over the years and we all get old eventually. Beating guys like one-legged Canadians and broken down, semi-retired light heavyweights is one thing, but if Weidman can back his mouth up and really take the fight to Anderson I think he can do this.”

Gray Maynard (two-time UFC lightweight title challenger)
“If anyone is going to beat Anderson Silva, and stop this guy retiring with the belt, undefeated in the UFC, for sure it is Chris Weidman. Weidman is the only guy I can point to in the division and go ‘This guy can do it, this guy can beat Anderson’.”

Daniel Cormier (No. 2 ranked UFC heavyweight contender)
“I am always partial to wrestlers, but I honestly think Weidman has the tools to win this fight. Anderson is the greatest of all-time, but Weidman has the blueprint set by Chael Sonnen. It’s not like he has to spend a round or two figuring out what he has to do to win. Just follow the game plan that Chael had success with: take Anderson down and pound on him. I think Anderson’s takedown defense has improved over the years, but Chris is such a good wrestler he will get the job done. I pick Weidman by decision.”

Frank Mir (two-time UFC heavyweight champion)
“Anderson has shown one weakness – he can be controlled on the ground by powerful wrestlers – and Weidman is the most powerful wrestler there is in the division. Everyone is making the comparison to Chael Sonnen, but while Chael controlled Anderson on the ground and landed shots, he couldn’t hurt Anderson and that was his undoing. Weidman can hurt Anderson with ground and pound and he can submit Anderson.

“The only way I see Weidman not winning is if he has a macho thing where he has illusions of striking with the best striker in the world. But I think he’s too smart for that. I’m not just saying he’s got a great shot, I am picking Weidman to win.”

Alan Belcher (UFC middleweight contender)
“Weidman has all tools; on paper he can do this. Anderson always seems to find a way to win, but everyone is human, and style wise, I don’t like this for Anderson. Weidman’s really good on the top, and he could sub Anderson. He’s that good on the ground. What worries me about Weidman is he knows just enough to get himself into trouble on the feet. He is just good enough to land a shot or two and think he can win standing up. But he can’t. No one can beat Anderson standing. Weidman has to get this to the ground, and when that happens it is Chris Weidman’s fight, Chris Weidman’s world. If this hit the floor in the first round, it is going to be insane because Weidman could sub Anderson Silva in the very first round.”

Roger Gracie (UFC 162 fighter, middleweight)
“Weidman’s grappling is at a very high level. He has some very good submissions. He can put a lock on anyone – any world class grappler. I think he’s that good that he can tap anyone, including me or Anderson Silva.”

TJ Grant (No.3 contender, UFC lightweight title)
“Personally, I feel Weidman has the tools to win. He’s young, confident and his grappling is on a completely different level. You never want to pick against Anderson Silva, but I give a slight edge to Weidman.”

Luke Rockhold (No.7 UFC middleweight contender)
“This is a 50/50 fight. I’ve not thought that about an Anderson fight in a long time, but this can go either way.”

John Moraga (No.4 flyweight contender)
“I’m going out of a limb and say Weidman is taking him out. He is real determined and confident and that’s the key to beating a legend. Weidman is going to let it all go, and I think his style is all wrong for Anderson. I can see Weidman dominating, actually.”

Rick Story (UFC welterweight contender)
“I can see Weidman grinding out a points win by controlling most of the fight on the ground. Ask Chael Sonnen, five rounds is a long time not to make a mistake in Anderson’s guard, but Chris is so young and hungry I think he can do it.”

Johny Hendricks (No.1 welterweight contender)
“Anderson doesn’t like to start fast but I think in this fight he needs to get going early. Weidman is coming off a long layoff and Anderson should take advantage, jump on him, and go for the first round KO. But if Weidman gets to the later rounds, his wrestling and being so young will take over. I think Weidman has the style and the skills to win this fight and I pick him to win a decision.”
Ronda Rousey (reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion)
“I think Anderson Silva is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but Weidman is the absolute worst possible matchup for him. It’ll definitely be interesting and I’m excited to see what happens on the night.”

Miesha Tate (former women’s bantamweight champion, No.3 UFC contender)
“Chael Sonnen almost beat Anderson based on being a wrestler. And Weidman is a more dynamic wrestler than Sonnen – and Weidman doesn’t get caught in submissions. Weidman’s wrestling definitely gives him a chance.”

Dominick Cruz (UFC bantamweight champion, FOX Sports Analyst)
“Weidman can absolutely do it. But against Anderson Silva the pressure is on not to make a mistake while he uses his strikes to set up a takedown. That is the critical thing for Weidman. I’ve spent some time with Chris, he’s a smart dude, and he knows he’s not going to try to strike with Anderson. And he has to be conscious of that fact: Striking wise, Weidman cannot compete against Anderson on any level. At all. The reason he was able to land that elbow against Mark Munoz was Munoz was trying to set up for a takedown just as much as Weidman was and, knowing that, Weidman was waiting for the overhand right and that allowed him to land that elbow. He cannot land anything like that against Anderson.

“Weidman has to have the exact same game plan as Chael Sonnen; everyone is saying that is the blueprint for him to win this fight. But here’s the problem: Anderson had two fights with Chael and has had over 30 minutes of Octagon time with that exact strategy. Anderson went through at least two camps expecting that to be his opponent’s strategy. Anderson’s takedown defense is light years away from where it was even two years ago. Remember, takedown defense is only one aspect of one discipline in MMA – and it is one of the easiest aspects to improve on.

“But Weidman can still get him down. Anderson takes anything from a minute to half a round to figure out his opponent’s distance and timing, and Chris has to make use of that to score a takedown. Once he has Anderson down, he can strike very well, and I expect him to pass and force Anderson into a scramble. Anderson usually waits in his guard for a chance to escape or counter, but Chris hits hard enough and is active enough to force Anderson to try to get back up fast. That’s where I see Weidman winning the fight, in the scramble as Anderson tries to get back up.”

unknown13

Weidman may have the skills to beat Silva but every time people somewhat doubt Silva before a fight. He spits completely in their faces Okami II and the DQ loss in Okami I, what happened on the night? Silva beat the living crap out of him in what could be a contender for Silva's best ever performance in the UFC. Sonnen II, he shut the doubters up there again and stopped Sonnen in the second.

Weidman has a chance like everyone but Silva thrives off this environment.

Mellor

unknown13 wrote: »

Okami II and the DQ loss in Okami I, what happened on the night? Silva beat the living crap out of him in what could be a contender for Silva's best ever performance in the UFC

I don't how that's relevant here. Silva didn't prove a thing in that fight. Nobody gave Okami a chance going into that fight. Silva completely out classed him in the first fight. The DQ was an unfortunate misunderstand.

Plastikman_eire

Mellor wrote: »

I don't how that's relevant here. Silva didn't prove a thing in that fight. Nobody gave Okami a chance going into that fight. Silva completely out classed him in the first fight. The DQ was an unfortunate misunderstand.

I read an awful lot of "Okami is Sonnen with Sub defense" in the run up to that fight.

Is there a chance all the fighters are being told by the UFC to say Weidmann can beat Silva in order to build up the fight more?
To be honest I think Silva takes this by KO, Weidmann has been out of the cage a good while and Silva is the GOAT veteran.

Jizzear

Machida declined to make a pick which is interesting considering they team-mates, last time I remember someone not picking their teammate in a big fight was right before koschecks fight with GSP

stealinhorses

I think Weidman poses a challenge, but I can't believe how much credit he's getting from fellow fighters and media coming into this fight. He's undefeated and a decorated wrestler, but his UFC record isn't all that impressive. A decision against a burned out Maia and a good performance against Munoz are his biggest scalps, and in fairness the title shot came about in light of other contenders falling away (Bisping, Rockhold, etc.).
I might be completely wrong about this, but I think Silva takes this and takes it early. Second round finish is my guess.

nino1

stealinhorses wrote: »

. A decision against a burned out Maia.

?????