Silva's Next Title Defenses Scheduled; Cleared to Hold MW and LHW Belts Simultaneously
Barring any unexpected defeats or freak injuries, Anderson Silva will fight at least three more times by the year's end, Dana White said in a press conference held yesterday. First, of course, is his light-heavyweight debut against James Irvin at UFN 14 on July 19th. Said White:
"If everything goes well, he wants to move back to 185 and fight Sept. 6 in Atlanta [at UFC 88], probably against Yushin Okami, then he wants to fight again two months later."
And who might that next opponent be?
“(Ricardo Almeida) and Patrick Cote are going to fight on Saturday night and see who's next in line for Anderson Silva's 185-pound title,” said White.
The long-term plan is for Silva to keep testing the waters at 205, in preparation for an eventual run at the title. And for the first time in the UFC's history, one of its champions would be allowed to hold two titles at the same time. "Normally I won't let guys do stuff like that because it's just…stupid," White said. "I'll let Anderson Silva do it.”
Anyway, this has to be bittersweet for Almeida and Cote. The good news is that the winner of their fight is getting an immediate title shot; the bad news, of course, is that the winner is slated to get the worst beating of his life in November. I'm not saying that throwing the fight intentionally and leaving the country for a while would be the best idea, but it's probably not the worst either.
(Props: MMA Weekly)
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Who Cares Says:
Glad to see Yushin Okami finally getting a title shot. I think it could be a good fight cause Okami could take Anderson down. The only thing is though, I don't see Okami being able to hold off Anderson for 5 whole rounds. When was the last time anyone went past the 3rd round with Silva anyways?
Higgz Says:
Anyone else think Anderson Silva might be trying to burn through his UFC contract quickly so he could persue the fight with Roy Jones Jr? He seemed pretty determined to get that fight.
Just a thought.
where's the post? Says:
I just see a big picture of a wannabe jew sucking Andersons ball sack...
ickle Says:
i believe almeida could be a serious contender.just my opinion.
coondogg Says:
lets see how many of these guys deserve a title shot:
Cote: why?
Almeida: who?
Okami: by default?
Higgz Says:
I think Okami gets a shot because he's the only guy that they can market as a viable contender since their last fight ended by DQ.
Does UFC allow upkicks? Somebody might want to make sure Anderson knows the answer to that question.
Pasty Dave Says:
"When was the last time anyone went past the 3rd round with Silva anyways?"
You must mean past the 2nd round.
Who Cares Says:
You are allowed to up kick in the ufc but what made Anderson get DQed in their last fight for the upkick was that Okami was on his knees so it counted as a "kick to the head of a downed opponent." and yes i know their last fight wasn't in the ufc...
Now i looked it up myself and the last time someone got to the 3rd round with Anderson Silva was actually his loss to Ryo Chonan in pride.
bc Says:
Probably running through his contract because he can. If he's able to fight why not? And if he rips through it quickly it means more $$$. I'm sure a new contract would have to pay him much more anyways.
sol Says:
I think he wants to rip through the MW's this year so he can concentrate on the LHW's next year. If he beats all viable contenders then it only makes sense for him to start ripping through the LHW division.
T BONE Says:
haha leave the country boys the spider's comin!
the fucin man Says:
i hate wrestling but they need to have a ufc royal rumble why dont the ufc get this guy that beat silva before
jakey Says:
he could be burning through his contract. But if he gets beat along the way he ll know that boxing jones wont be as big a draw. I think he is serious about the two belts. just hope he doesnt burn out or get sloppy.
teachbug Says:
you beat me to it "wheres the post?"
This whole things smacks of Dana White nuthuggin silva.
That was the gayest comment ever...“Normally I won’t let guys do stuff like that because it’s just…stupid,” White said. “I’ll let Anderson Silva do it.”-------(sucking noises)
"I will let my pretty chocolate-caramel colored homo lover do it! (slurp slurp, slurppppp!)
DanaMakes No SENSE Says:
“Normally I won’t let guys do stuff like that because it’s just…stupid,” White said. “I’ll let Anderson Silva do it.”
Exactly how is that stupid if a fighter can have the skillls to be a dominant in two weight classes and hold it at the same time?
Probably because dana wouldn't be able to make more fight with a fighter holding two belt versus two person holding a belt a piece.
I guess he owes it to Anderson because he is the man!
yellow root ball sav Says:
i bet he stomps irvin...stomps okami...and then stomps whoever is at the top of the lhw division whoever that may be....and holds both belts for a couple years...
Hattori Hanzo aka King of NYC Says:
the bad news, of course, is that the winner is slated to get the worst beating of his life
i agree
Donk Says:
If Anderson hadn't been so vocal about the Roy Jones fight i doubt that he would be getting this chance in the LHW division. I think this was the compromise made by the UFC to keep their champ happy.
But i don't think moving up is stupid, in the (old) heavy weight division you could give up 30 pounds to another fighter, like Crocop v.s. Gonzaga, which is like a WW v.s LHW. If Cop had fought big Tim, then it would have been, 45 pounds which is like LW v.s. LHW. These aren't stupid fights either. If good match ups exist and the fighters can make the weight then go for it.
God i miss Pride.
sol Says:
Doesn't Anderson cut from 212 to make 185? I think I remember reading Wanderlei cuts from like 212 to 205, so i dont see the LHW jump really being that bad for Anderson, I would actually love it if Silva stomped both divisions.
CityBoxingSanDiego Says:
Anderson Silva was a longtime training partner to my BJJ coach "Baruch" so I am a huge fan of his and I can honestly say that I see him being able to achieve both belts. I see Anderson being trouble for any of the top LHW fighters and I think he would have the easiest time with Rampage out of all the guys.
vrax Says:
The reason White would not normally allow is it because most guys want 3-4 months off between fights to train and get healthy. It doesn't make sense form a business stand point to put two belts on one guy and only see him fight 3 times a year. But if Silva is willing to fight 5-6 times a year then it's simply being able to use his drawing power more often and against wider range of opponents.
My only concern is that he not line-jump guys who deserve a 205 shot like Machida and Thiago Silva. Also the whole Silva v. Silva, who earned it by beating Silva, could get confusing.
Hmm, maybe limit of two Silvas per division? Thiago v. Wanderlei, loser leaves 205. Sorry that's just....stupid.
Stephan' Boner Says:
Yushin deserves at shot but as a Yushin Okami fan i fear it will end in him taking a beating and then having to start at the bottom of the ladder again.....................
although then atleast i get to see him dish out some beatings!!
Kaleb Says:
Good job Dana, second fight for Almeida and you give him Cote...
And say a title shot is next? Slow your roll and REALIZE IT TAKES TIME.
Jesus.
higgz is a fag Says:
upkicks were allowed in their first fight too but okami was in silva's gaurd when the upkick happened
gracies suck ass Says:
higgz is a fag Says:
July 5th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
upkicks were allowed in their first fight too but okami was in silva’s gaurd when the upkick happened
he was dq'd cause his knees were on the ground "kick to the dead of a downed opponent"
Okami was making silva his bitch in that fight too till silva panicked like a lil fruit huggin bitch and illegally struck him.
Okami by face removal
BIG Says:
HAHAHAHAHHA gracies suck ass OKAMI WOULD B DONE IF HE FOUGHT SILVA ,
1. SILVA AINT RANKED NO.1 P4P FOR NO REASON
2.OKAMI LOST TO RICH FRANKLIN (SILVA DEMOLISHED FRANKLIN TWICE)
3. ITS FUKIN OBVIOUS UNLESS UR RETARDED IN MMA