(Doing the bird dance. Feeling the flow. Working it. Photo courtesy of LasVegasSun.)
Don’t know about y’all, but Anderson Silva‘s flawless victory over Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 made the prospect of a second fight with Dan Henderson even less interesting to me; if the Spider’s competitive days are truly numbered, I’d much rather see him rumble with guys like Quinton Jackson, Tito Ortiz, and yes, even Lyoto Machida, rather than sit through sequels to old fights. Luckily, it seems that Silva feels the same way (except for the Machida part). According to this Yahoo! Sports article, Silva’s manager Ed Soares approached UFC president Dana White after Saturday’s event and suggested that Silva vacate his middleweight title and move to light-heavyweight permanently. White was very receptive to the idea, saying:
Despite Dana’s bluster, I don’t believe Silva will ever fight his friend and training partner Machida. But after clearing out the UFC’s middleweight division, fighting top light-heavyweight contenders is clearly the best use of Silva’s time. And as an added bonus, the middleweight division will become interesting again. Could a fight between Dan Henderson and the winner of Maia vs. Marquardt determine the division’s next champion? And who will be Anderson Silva’s next 205-pound victim? Stay tuned…
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Comments
Mon, 08/10/09 - 07:25
Awesome. I would love to see Silva vs. Evans. Rashad Evans could use getting knocked down a peg or two. Lyoto knocked him down one good peg, Silva could do another...!
Mon, 08/10/09 - 07:35
He pretty much has to. He's too good for his own damn good. I would like to see GSP - Silva at 185, but that would be too much to handle for GSP cause silva would come into the fight at 200+ probably.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 07:35
If Silva vacates the title, I'm just not sure what to think of the middleweight division. It's one of those things where you have a guy that cleans house, and then because there isn't enough competition, he simply moves up a weight class and so far has made it look easy. Nothing against the rest of the middleweight division, but just knowing that they would all make some really good fights but in the back of my mind I would be like, "they aren't the real champ."
Mon, 08/10/09 - 07:36
if he's not going to fight machida then i don't care to seem him mess around at 205. if he moves up then we're even less likely to see him against GSP. There are plenty of guys at 185 for him. Demian maia. I have no problem with Hendo getting another crack. Okami is long overdue. Wandy just moved down. I was looking forward to Bisping getting KTFO but Hendo took care of that. I don't know why anyone thinks the potential fights at 205 are more exciting, just because he hasn't fought any of them yet? He made Griffin look like an idiot and he's not going to have any more trouble with any 205er than he would with the potential 185ers. (aside from Machida, of course). His last 3 fights should probably be 2 title defenses and then 1 superfight, either machida or GSP.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 07:36
I think Maia would have a good chance on taking the belt from Anderson Silva. Because of his great BJJ.. The only round Silva has lost is on the ground. And the ground is the part of his game where he is the weakest. (not saying hes bad on the ground ppl!)
Mon, 08/10/09 - 07:40
i'd love to see Silva vs Jackson. but i think vacating the 185 title is just stupid, what credibility would the new champion have? it would always come to "if he fought silva, he'd lose"...
Mon, 08/10/09 - 07:50
What the fuck is the point of this if he is never going to fight Machida????????
Mon, 08/10/09 - 07:56
Lyoto X Anderson... will not happen for sure. Dana can throw Anderson into LHW division but he was warned he will never witness a title fight between Machida and Anderson. Lyoto has stated he would like to face Lesnar. I think if Anderson keep smashing all the LHWs in a row, Machida will have to bulk up. Otherwise Dana will push Anderson to fight his friend and then he (Anderson) will retire.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:01
Wanderlei must be piiiisssed.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:05
So did Griffin really look THAT bad or did he take a dive??
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:05
What about Vitor Belfort I thought there was talk about that fight happening. Also I really want to see GSP vs. Silva I do not think GSP will be giving up that much strength advantage, athleticly he is a monster and not having to cut I think we would see the best GSP ever. Hendo put Silva on the ground and worked him for one round it could happen again.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:20
I say this Let Machida defend his title 2 maybe 3 times in a dominant fashion, then let him move up to HW. While Silva cleans house in LHW then becomes champ. Then GSP can move up to MW and start cleaning house. Hendo can fight Mia for the title and defend a couple of times before meeting up with GSP for a title fight. So it would be for the new titles: HW title: Brock vs Machida LHW title: Silva vs Rampage MW title: Hendo vs GSP (never thought of this one before but that would be awesome 2 awesome wrestlers! ) WW title: ??? maybe Penn could finally move up ?
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:21
@ Midwestfightfan Clearly you aren't that big of a fan. Do some research and see for yourself. Stop listening to the trolls over at Sherdog. Forrest just got schooled by the best striker in the game
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:23
Penn vs Alves ? I think that would be cool!
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:23
@buckwild Not a bad idea...instead of the guys cutting weight, they'd all have to lift weights and maintain weight, much easier and less energy draining imo. Keep things changing, good stuff.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:24
I am going to list off the final 3 victims of Silva's career. Hendo Shogun GSP Just watch.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:29
All the brawlers in LHW better watch out, they are about to look sub par. Other than Lyoto, Forrest was considered one of the more techincal strikers in LHW. Guys like Rampage or Shogun don't stand a chance IMO. Why do people keep bringing Okami up? He got his victory over Anderson due to an illegal strike DQing Anderson. Anderson was easily winning that fight, Okami wasn't even past his guard. He hasn't even fought since 2008 when he beat Lister. Lets see if he can put away Chael Sonnen at 104 first and then throw him Hendo or Nate or Maia and THEN MAYBE I will believe he will be a worthy opponent. There is a few fights at 185 I'd still like to see though. Maia and Marquardt both deserve a shot IMO. I dont think Henderson's rematch will look much different and Im sure Anderson agrees judging by his expression when the rematch was mentioned by Dana at the post press. Other than that I only see 205 fights being interesting. Anderson vs Rampage/Shogun/Tito/Rashad to name a few.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:33
Can you picture Brock bull rushing in on Machida and catching a straight kick to the block head ? He might actually get dazed but if he took him down it would be over! I think the UFC has a few top elite fighters that are locking up their divisions and they need to change things around more. Seeing match ups that nobody ever thought could happen would give fans something no other promotion could even dream of doing. This would one up everyone in such a way! Dana if you are reading this.. do it !
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:40
You know who must be really sad if this is true? Rich Franklin. Poor rich. Couldn't take the title back from Anderson at 185, so you move up to 205 and now guess who might be moving up... Poor rich.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:42
Wow is the word. I really like Forrest but Anderson made him look so ineffective. this dude is freaky good.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:48
@ CagePotato: You can't see it on the broadcast, but Anderson did a somersault at full speed in his post-fight celebration. That pic was taken right before. A little different from the GSP backflip, but possibly more entertaining, as he continued to run as rolled back to his feet. It's funny how the camera cut away at that exact instant, but you can hear the thud. Over n out
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:51
how does this play into Rich Franklin's plans.....he jumped to 205 because he was a gate keeper at best with silva as champ at 185....does he go back down to 185 and rematch hendo?
Mon, 08/10/09 - 08:54
Rich just fought Wandy at a catch weight of 195. I don't think he is stuck at 205. I think the UFC will put him back at 185 and let him and Hendo rematch eventually for the title. Or Anderson will just retire after his contract is up and go out with a Boxing match with Roy Jr
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:04
The ref's face is hilarious - it says to me: "What a monster!" to those who say the fight was fixed - can you imagine for one moment what it would be like to be tagged right on the chin by a 200lb man that has been fighting on his life with a right hook - a power hook is a rare feat- used for finishing fights and when your opponents skills are slow - anderson uses this as a lead punch - his speed and accuracy are ridiculous. Lots of punches land on the ears, cheekbones, rear jaw, and etc- these tend to just hurt - right on the chin creates the knockout- anderson connect three times with a clean right hook to forrest's jaw - he is a monster and he is NOT AFRAID - jim cunningham
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:12
oh he's totally ducking dan henderson! maybe it's not b/c he's afraid of losing, but b/c it won't be as exciting as fighting a pure striker isn't henderson the only one to win a round against anderson in the ufc?
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:21
@ Nikloai, Yea Henderson won one round before getting choked out like a bitch. Silva would rape him all over again.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:26
lol @ the Happy Gilmore caption. Two things. One: I feel bad for my boy Rich Franklin, like others have alluded to. Poor guy can't escape the web of the Spider. I see him going back down to 185. If he rematches with Hendo, then I see it definitely being for the title. Two: Anderson is just a beast. I got a funny feeling that he would rock the shit outta Brock Lesnar, too. The guy's just awesome. If he's sticking to LHW permanently, I don't see a worthy opponent yet until the Machida/Shogun & Evans/Rampage matches being dealt with. He'll defend his title probably one last time (against Hendo).
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:27
When talking about the great camps out there, everyone is quick to point to the Greg Jackson camp, AKA, & ATT, but it's time to give Black House some love. With Silva, Machida, & Nogueira & Cavalcante brothers, you've got a crew of champions right there. Everyone there is a straight up BEAST!!! Time to give Black House their due.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:37
if bj penn was allowed to "make history" by holding two belts why not anderson silva? what does anderson silva really want to do? does he want to fight the best? or does he want to avoid fighting his friend? mma as a sport should not let personal business get in the way. lyoto is a true martial artist and would also want to fight the best, whoever it is. i say, let him take the usual route of fighting for contention in the light heavyweight, and let him keep the middleweight belt. if he is the best fighter within 185-205 then he deserves two belts.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:39
@ ecimmortal Never read Sherdog, and I am a huge fight fan. Fan does not mean know it all asshole, but in your case you are quite the FAN! I came to that conclusion on my own. When Griffin looks like he's fighting in an amateur boxing match the question needs to be asked, so get off your high horse. -------- Does anyone know what Machida's "walk around" weight is? He would look tiny next to lesner!!
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:43
Silva is garbage. He is moving to light heavy because its a division full of strikers who he knows he can beat standing up. Name one good wrestler in the 205 division who is willing to take the fight to the ground. Matt Hamill thinks he's a K-1 champ nowadays, Tito? he's 5 years past his prime. he would have destroyed anderson when he was champ but he will just get demolished now. all the people who can give anderson problems are at 185 or 170. anderson silva is useless unless he's fighting a guy who is gonna come out swinging against him. Dana white knows that and that's why he's gonna keep feeding him these guys at 205 and call him the best pound 4 pound fighter in the world even though Griffin was only like half an inch taller with less reach.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 09:56
@ danomite, you are an idiot. No one at 185 poses a threat to Anderson. Maia isn't even that good, and if he beat Nate Marquardt then he would lose to Anderson. Henderson would lose also. 205 is the only place for a challenge. You are a moron. Id like to beat your ass because you are a retard. Oh and the whole 170 weight class would get demolished by him, but it doesnt matter because Anderson cant cut that much weight. IDIOT.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 10:05
I agree with 831 Son, even if any 170 pounder moved up. @danomite.. Quentin Jackson: Wrestler, Rashad Evans: Wrestler, Me: Just A Wrestler. even though they are mostly stand up fighters i think the winner of their fight should fight silva next. LHW is the craziest division in the ufc by far. Happy Gilmore Reference FTW
Mon, 08/10/09 - 10:05
I second that opinion, 831.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 10:22
Wait a minute, if Silva won't fight Machida...and Machida won't fight Silva...does this mean they will be tag teaming at LHW? I've heard of double penetration but NEVER EVER like this....
Mon, 08/10/09 - 10:35
i like silva fighting at 205....i dont like the idea of him vacating the belt, then he will always be considered the real champ and the mw belt wont mean as much in my opinion, and im sure hendo feels the same way, he wants to fight silva again.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 10:58
"Silva is garbage. He is moving to light heavy because its a division full of strikers who he knows he can beat standing up." Yeah after choking out Dan Henderson, tko'ing Nate Marquardt with ground and pound, and submitting Travis Lutter with a triangle from his back I'd be scared of the 185lb division too.. you are absolutly right those guys must have scared him away from fighting grapplers. I mean I would be afraid of grapplers if I'd fought the best of them and beat them all at their own game.. that'd be my cue to run away from those guys.. Brilliant post my friend. On another note is anyone else tired of hearing people screaming "fix" and "work"? No one did this when he dropped leben with seemingly weak punches, no one questioned Irvan going down from a single straight punch, or Marquardt getting demolished by punches that didn't appear to have a lot behind them. For some reason people think that because Forrest had a sloppy 3 round brawl with Bonnar 6 years ago that his chin is made of iron. I guess everyone forgot about the Jardine arm punch that put him out and the inside full gaurd punches that Rashad knocked him out cold with. Forrest has a questionable chin and Silva has pinpoint accuracy and technique that causes every punch to be devistating, end of story.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 11:06
^^^ Thank you. I couldn't express enough how dumb the "fix" idea is/was.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 11:10
@ Armfarmer Well put Sir, looks like you don't have a case of the Mondays.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 12:37
Griffin's new book will be titled "Got Quit?"
Mon, 08/10/09 - 01:21
tito ortiz? tito ortiz? of my goodness are you serious. Thats so funny putting tito in there with rampage hahaha thats good.
Mon, 08/10/09 - 01:31
fair play arm farmer good post..to all the retards who think the fight was a fix...please put down the joint and use some logic...what could anyone possibly gain from taking a dive? it would destroy the ufc's reputation and of all the fighters to do the least likely would be griffin..a guy wit average talent and an appetite for hard work and conditioning. Look at how the odds where pre fight..if griffin was a big favourite and came out and flopped you might have some case..but no one gave him a chance and who was really surprised? I don't comment on a lot of things but the notion of a fix is so laughable
Mon, 08/10/09 - 02:54
I want to see Silva vs. Henderson again but at 205...
Mon, 08/10/09 - 03:13
suck a dick armfarmer. dan henderson and nate marquardt were already done before the fight went to the ground. please watch the fights instead of just looking them up on fight finder. fact is, dan henderson was tooling him on the ground in the first round and lost because he tried to stand with him.
Tue, 12/13/11 - 04:43
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