I agree. In a Silva-Bones matchup, both guys have upward potential- Vera is in all likelihood done as a possible contender at this point.

Would prefer to see Bones Jones versus Thiago.

Dear Thiago Silva,
Make Brandon Vera go away and I will be your friend. Forever.
Sincerely,
RPS13

Brannon “da Toof” Vera has been fighting to not lose fights lately, not fighting to win fights. There’s a big difference. I think Thiago’s back injury was the deciding factor in the Rashad fight, I was mystified that Thiago was relegated to undercard status on his last fight that fell through. Rashad didn’t do shit in that fight except for barely survive and now (after another boring ass decision) he’s back in golden boy title contention? At least, even in his boring fights, Thiago is still trying to finish people.

These clowns that fight for decision wins may be winning combat-sport matches but they’re not winning fights. They’re combat sports athletes, not martial artists. If you walk away from a fight with one tenth of the damage your opponent has you have won the fight. The only prize in a real fight is being less injured. Stockton rules, homey. Don’t be skaird.

I can’t see Thiago going, in my mind he’s one of the best that just can’t get it together. Bad back or whatever, I think he could have some potential.
Having said that, I agree completely with AlmostNorth above, can’t we just see Lyoto-Bones already? Please?

T.Silva>B.Vera.
Much like Spider v. Sonnen, i give Thiago the benefit of the doubt for his lack luster performance v Rashad. I am not sure exactly what the injury is, but if it’s anything like sciatica or a herniated disc, my hats off to the guy for even fighting in the first place.
Vera’s “time” is way up, the only catalyst I can come up with for his career 180 is the whole being robbed at gunpoint a few days out from his fight with Jardine. That Jardine fight was brutal to watch and Vera has been fighting like that ever since.
A healthy T.Silva has this one, but I am worried he may aggrevate his back again as there was no surgery and he had to pull out of his last fight due to back issues.

Silva needs to beat the blackcent out of Vera first, gosh that’s irritating

@RWilsonR Agreed, Vera’s desire seems to be permanently gone.

I seriously hope Thiago retires Vera. Guy’s a huge douche, talking about how Jon Jones sucks and how he’d beat him if they fought again.

Thiago has a secret weapon, he found a treasure map that revealed if you hit Vera in a certain point on the cheek his face collapses revealing gold doubloons!

X marks the spot Thiago!

Steampunk – you make a good point, but I was kind of writing off the Evans fight based on Thiago’s back excuse, which seemed legit. Hopefully if that is behind him we will see the Thiago back in his old form.

I’ve lost hope that Vera will be able to find it again. He seems unable to find that killer instinct, and I don’t think it is coming back.

And be careful with those CP BAN violations, Steampunk. They may not let you have your name back if they kick you out again.

if Vera doesn’t win this by knockout then I’ll give up on all hope of him ever being good again. Thiago Silva is the perfect fight for him. Silva’s not going to do anything except stand in front of him and strike.

oh, and coincidentally i bought ufc 104 & 105 yesterday and rewatched his fight with Randy. that had to be one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.

@RWilsonR

Not necessarily. Silva was strangely subdued when he fought Evans, nothing like his previous Chute Boxe-style self. Evans wasn’t all that exciting in that fight either though, but still, I kind of always expect Thiago to bring it (I mean, thats how he made his name) and its surprising when he doesnt. If there is a chance he will be cut I wonder if he’s going to come out swinging for the fences like he used to or if he is going to be thinking “job security” and make sure he doesn’t over commit and get caught. This could be a boring fight.

Actually, now that I’ve read it again, everything I just typed above totally applies to Vera as well.

I’d prefer to see Vera win though, but decisively. Like he used to be, you know, like the “OLD Ve-”*CAGEPOTATO BAN TRIGGERED*

Can we see the two guys winning in these pictures fight instead?

vera sucks hes never been good since he came back.

A good litmus test for Vera, to be sure. I thought he got gypped versus Couture. You can’t hold the Jones loss against him either, and Bones smashes everything in sight.

Thiago Silva all the way!
BV lacks that killer instinct.

Also I don’t see Silva getting cut anytime soon, esp if he brakes the other side of Vera’s face.

Interesting side note they have both fought the exact same amount of fights : 11-5 to 14-2

At least Thiago will make Vera fight. I still can’t figure out why Vera is so hesitant to pull the trigger. He always had the talent, but that dude’s head just isn’t in the game anymore.