Does Anderson Silva Want to Fight Anybody?
Anderson Silva is a tough nut to crack. We know he doesn't want to fight friends, and we know he doesn't want to fight guys he's already beaten, and we know he doesn't want to fight guys who got middleweight title shots in the UFC without ever competing in the UFC at that weight class. New #1 contender Chael Sonnen doesn't fit into any of those categories, so you'd think there wouldn't be a problem. But as Silva's manager Ed Soares has proven, you can find an excuse to duck pretty much anybody:
Let's make one thing crystal clear: Sonnen is a Republican, and the only man he has a crush on is America's Greatest Patriot. Also, Soares and Silva's opponent-pickiness act is getting very stale. Sure, Sonnen took a loss four fights ago — it's not that fans have forgotten about it, it's just that Sonnen is coming off back-to-back wins over top-5 middleweights (something that Anderson hasn't done himself in two years), which should rightfully earn him a shot at the belt. Don't forget that Sonnen just kicked the ass of the guy who kicked Maia's ass, which builds his case even further. And what would happen if Maia beat Sonnen again in their hypothetical #1 contender fight? Would he get a title shot, or would he first have to win a rematch against Nate Marquardt before Ed Soares is completely satisfied? And what if Nate won that fight? Jesus, where are my pills.
Soares's argument is a silly one that you could use to discredit virtually any title contender: Urijah Faber should have to beat Mike Brown before he gets to fight Jose Aldo, and Frank Edgar should have to beat Gray Maynard before he earns a shot at BJ Penn. Unfortunately, that line of thinking would rob fans of frequent title fights that they might actually want to see. Whatever happened to just fighting whoever they put in front of you?
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Best_Blank_Ever Says:
"We are fine if this is what the UFC wants"
How is that ducking a fight?
omunto Says:
Great a co-worker just walked by when I was reading the top of the article and that picture was in plain sight... Now I have to figure out a way to prove to her that I'm not looking at Gay Lifestyle sites. What's even worse is I had just opened the Rush Limbaugh wiki link in a new window so I look like a gay republican now... Damn you Potato.
King_KP Says:
All Ed Soares does by discrediting every one of Anderson's opponents is cost the guy money. He is pretty much the anti-hype for every fight...shit man, get people excited to watch your man fight, instead of convincing people that he shouldn't even be bothering to fight these people.
TheFactor Says:
I think we are in for a big suprise with Belfort VS Silva ... Vitor might pull off the upset.
Jugger Says:
I think Ed (and Potato readers) know that Anderson fights best when he's fighting an opponent he can get excited about. He wants the UFC to give him those kind of fights. Are you excited about a potential match-up between Chael and Anderson?
I'm not, and I doubt Anderson is either. You're just asking for Anderson vs. Laites all over again.
Harry Nips Says:
Silva defended his title against Thales Leites and Patrick Cote but Vitor, Hendo, Marquardt, and Sonnen aren't deserving. I'm sick of hearing this guy's mouth.
Catalyst8487 Says:
Soares should be banned from even opening his mouth when it comes to possible title competitors. I don't hear Soares or Anderson complaining that they got a title shot after fighting Chris Leben.
Line up Chael, then Maia, then Marquardt, and make that guy defend his belt.
leocesario Says:
"t's just that Sonnen is coming off back-to-back wins over top-5 middleweights (something that Anderson hasn't done himself in two years)".
Are you really comparing Sonnen to Anderson?! Seriously, this is the lamest article I've ever read in Cagepotato.com
JoseMonkey Says:
@Jugger I'm sure you are right -- Silva fights best when he's excited about the opponent -- but honestly, that's no excuse.
If the guy can't manage to get excited enough to go out there and defend his title (and collect a nice check) he needs to give up the fight game. It's his effing job, man. I'm not excited to do my job everyday, but I freakin' do it. Period.
mustache ride Says:
The only people that Anderson has showed interest in fighting is Mir, and possibly GSP. He needs to vacate his title if he is to good for everybody at his real weight class.
I for one would like to see Anderson fight Chael, it's a different style matchup then anyone else he fought. I know Hendo is a good wrestler but his GNP isn't his only weapon. I would be interested to see how Silva fights off his back while taking constant punishment. I think he and his manager know it's not a good fight for him, and it wouldn't be as fun as punching Forrest in the face.
jimbonics Says:
It's a moot point. Vitor is gonna fuck this guy up.
JoseMonkey Says:
I don't think this amounts to "comparing Sonnen to Anderson." They're simply pointing out that Silva hasn't fought top 5 middleweights in a long time, and Sonnen is doing exactly that -- and winning. Seems to me that's how guys earn title shots. Hard to argue with that.
Don't get me wrong - I think Chael is a douchebag and I never thought he'd beat Nate, but he's done enough to earn the shot at Silva's title, whether Silva likes it or not.
If Silva wants to show us what he thinks of Sonnen's abilities, how about he does it by whooping his ass int he Octagon? (Which, btw, I believe he will do if this fight happens.)
hotsaucemonster Says:
silva and his camp are becoming annoying im tired of his era
831 Father Says:
Okay, I love watching Silva fight and go on a killing spree, but Soares shouldn't be so mouthy considering Anderson is not a PPV buyrate draw.
And I don't know about you guys, but if I asked randoms or the hot women on the subways that I leer at when I'm in creeper mode about Anderson, I doubt most would be aware of Silva's existence.
ReX13 Says:
How does Ed Soares manage to shit on so many potential matchups and still have so many awesome fighters to manage?
What?
Because he speaks fluent Portugeuse? Surely it's not that sim-- what? I am? Oh. Sorry. Yes. No, i wasn't calling you Shirle--forget it.
Anyways.
Put me in the War Vitor camp. Partly for nostalgia reasons, partly because "War Vitor" has a nice ring to it. Partly because i am a goddam 'Merican, and all these Silvas, Thagos, and Thiago Silvas make my damn head hurt. Damn foreigners need to go home and play soccer or something retarted like that.
leocesario Says:
Since 2007, Anderson defended his title 5 times. Isn't this fighting top middleweight competition? Oh, he also won two fights in a heavier category. Against whom? Guys like Dan Henderson (former champion), Rich Franklin (former champion), Forrest Griffin (former champion).
And what was Sonnen doing? He was fighting Demian (which he lost) and guys like Dan Miller (really, top-5??).
MOOSEKNUCKEL Says:
Ed Soars = Jerry Millen only instead of eastern european fighters it's brazilians..
I wish someone would headbutt that motherfucker.
freshkimo Says:
At this point...Anderson is a already a legend. That's alot to put at risk for every fight from now on. I'm not surprised at the fuckery.
clutchy hopkins Says:
all of this fucking shit is so stupid. just fight whoever is at the top of the food chain. fuck, fight whoever comes strutting up the trail for fuck sakes. whats his problem? if he's so confident in his skills, then just fight them. you can't always get what you want, who does he even "want" to fight? this guy is a fuckin joke on a major ego trip, so sick of listening to this guys camp talk. i wish i just got to watch him fight and didnt have to deal with this drama bullshit
Harry Nips Says:
@ leocesario- Filho, Okami, and Marquardt were all top 5 when he beat them. I'm not a Sonnen nuthugger but that's a nice resume.
Boss Rutten Says:
I think Silva's team is actually nervous about a Chael Sonnen fight after his performance at 109. The mans wrestling is seemingly unstoppable and we have seen that he can take punishment and will not gas out either.
If Marquardt couldnt get Sonnen off him the entire fight, then Silva definately cant. If Silva cant stop Sonnens take downs he will surely lose the fight.
Cosmin Says:
my new desktop background
robthom Says:
I still think that a great fight for Lyoto or anderson is Couture.
Yes he keeps looking good/mediocre and drops to a decent opponent here and there as usual.
But Randy's knack isn't really grinding his way through the ranks so much as getting a shot against someone allegedly out of his league, and then finding a way to win that one fight against all odds.
He's done it again and again. He's just wasting the last years of that unique gift grinding out with the fellas.
They should either give him an expedited road to a shot at Lyoto, or preferably since Lyoto does already have plenty of meat on the table, just put Couture directly into a one off superfight with anderson @ 205.
Couture could be the one, again.
Turd Furgeson Says:
@jimbonics
Hell yes! War Vitor!
I never really liked Chael until I read that hilarious interview he did, then after his domination of Nate I'm ready to jump on the band wagon.
Anderson Silva is a classless jerk. Is it not enough to knock people out? Does he really have to mock them during the fight?
If Vitor doesn't get the job done, I hope Chael does.
calgarytime Says:
"TheFactor Says:
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 07:33
I think we are in for a big suprise with Belfort VS Silva ... Vitor might pull off the upset.
"
abosultey!! I think it will be. Silva is a great fighter, but I truley believ he hasnt fouht allot of top fighters....hendo,franklin, thats it & Hendo was destroying him in 1st round, till he gassed out
Belfort is still iffy for me, but he does look like belfort of old, so far....if thats the case, he is 10 tiimes more explosive than silva & if he can take that first counter puch by silva when belfort comes in with his crazy wicked volley of punches he loves to do...silvas dead....period
actually cant wait
cecils_pupils Says:
Ed Soares needs to stick a dirty jock strap in his mouth and leave the matchmaking to Joe Silva. Anderson needs to fight whoever the UFC decided so Soares can suck it!
calgarytime Says:
BTW, I don’t think it would be an upset if belfort whips silva.....in my opinion silva hasn’t proved shit, other than being able to kick the crap out of less top 20 fighters med range fighters
griffin---slowest, softest puncher with heart..perfect prey for silva
leben--??? top 20 fighter
lutter---who has he fought??? exactly
James Irvin ??? not even close to top ten
Patrick Cote maybe top 10 fighter
Thales Leites -we all know hes hype, not a top fighter
top 10 fighters he fought
Dan hendo--which BTW hendo was kicking his ass ini the 1st, then he gassed
Franklin--silva destroyed!!! Period
Nate Marquardt - definitely was NOT lopsided..but silva won
Conclusion
Silva is a good fighter, but he is NOT a top lb for lbb fighter, no way...he needs to fight more real top contenders...too many people jumped on his band wagon cause he destroyed the like of
griffin
leben
lutter
James Irvin
Patrick Cote
Thales Leites
Hardly any top fighters there..when he does fight top notch commp
Dan hendo--
Franklin--
Nate Marquardt -
beside absolutely destroying Franklin (which I never ranked in top 5 anyway, ever)
he doest look like the god that all the lack of fighting knowledge think he is...
top Lb for Lb fighter
GSP
Fedor
Penn
silva
Aldo
PELF Says:
fu_kkcongo, saying that belfort is 10 times more explosive than silva can be JUST a tiny bit far fetched. imo, he isn't more explosive, let alone 10 times...
Anyway, I'm pumped up for belfort vs silva! And chael can fight any one of the two, I'd like to see it!
calgarytime Says:
PELF
ok, 10 times....not quite.........but he is more explosive..thats a fact. Silva is more technical with his punches..but hes not as quck as belfort
mthomas Says:
Why the fuck is Ed Soares complaining about Anderson fighting Sonnen when he's scheduled to fight Vitor in April? Does anybody else think it sounds like Silva is looking past "The Phenom"? Not a smart move on his part, IMO
ReX13 Says:
fu_kkcongo>>
I think you may be forgetting how precise his precision is. Also, you may be underselling Travis Lutter, whose BJJ is Michael Jordan-esque.
robthom Says:
His precision is more precise than most precise precision IMO.
YesCartwheel Says:
You know how I know you're gay? Cuz your kissing some dude named Minotauro.
YesCartwheel Says:
You know how I know you're gay? Cuz you're kissing some dude named Minotauro.
daniel.mtl Says:
read so all the comments so many anderson haters because he is black/Brazilian/not american/doesnt run him mouth every chance he gets/wants to fight best opponents any of these who knows. call me a nut hugger or wtv you want to call it and i being hearing that anderson next opponent will make an upset for since hes had the belt aint gonna happen so many ppl bitch about he manager and him not everythign is money, fighting to some ppl is more than that. if you like duking it out right would you wanna duke it out with a 19 year old same age as you or -1 ,+1 older/younger or would you want to fight a 15 year old which yo knew you were gonna destroy o fun fun fight ahead of you and anyoen fo you so called fans out there saying it his job blah blah you aint really fans, all you wanna do is see someone get beaten up not a actual good fight you want to see a brawl not a martial arts fight. and once again soo many ppl saying he scared or shit liek that but he said he would go up in HW and fight frank mir i am pretty sure frank mir would destroy guys in the MW lets see these guys in MW fight HW anderson silva aint the best in the world he has admitted it. its like ppl hate on him because he a champion but not a american champ or some shit like so many ppl on rashad /chuck/brocks/any top american fighter's nuts like i am surprised ppl like gsp as much as they do i guess it because it no that bad if your from Canada compared to other places of the world. AND ppl say he is disrespectful when all of us fans all his opponets pussy/anythingels and he is the one defending them ?????
Lateral Drop Says:
Wait...I don't get it. Anderson Silva doesn't fight Republicans? So Hendo voted for John Kerry? This changes everything...
Lateral Drop Says:
Dear daniel.mtl,
I only read the first sentence of that.
In conclusion, you suck.
superflat Says:
I agree with those who think Belfort might win. Regardless, I you can't really criticize Anderson for ducking fights, because he doesn't. With the exception of Machida, Silva has ended up fighting all of the top contenders at Middleweight with the exception of Okami, which is not his fault. He's deflating the fight against Sonnen, which isn't great from a promotional standpoint, but he will end up fighting him.
It's just who he is -- belittling the competitiveness of his competition.
MentalyptiC Says:
It would be awesome to see Belfort beat Silva, and a KO victory at that, but I honestly believe the better the fighter Silva faces, the better he'll fight. THE test for Silva would be GSP.
robthom Says:
@ daniel.mtl,
In English its called paragraphs.
robthom Says:
His competitive belittling competitiveness cant be competed with by the competition, IMO.
MOOSEKNUCKEL Says:
The most realistic take on AS i have ever read. Just the facts bitches
ReX13 Says:
Lateral Drop Says:
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 11:17
Dear daniel.mtl,
I only read the first sentence of that.
In conclusion, you suck.
This.
robthom Says:
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 11:23
@ daniel.mtl,
In English its called paragraphs.
This as well.
daniel>>Stay in school. Seriously, you make my head hurt. I'm not sure anyone can take your opinion seriously if they need to effin' DECODE IT.
fedorsmightylov... Says:
FIRST!!!!!!!!!!
One Two Says:
Vitor!! who gives a shit about chael sonnen, strikeforces top five MW would ruin him, much less Anderson, gay wrestler with no JJ defense. Maia would probabally get knocked out by Anderson if he can't get it to the ground but at least he'd have a chance with his Jiu-jitsu, maia and chael should deffinately rematch before either of them gets a shot, which would come Right after Wanderlei and Vitors.
MOOSEKNUCKEL Says:
fu_kkcongo Says:
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 12:02
BTW, I don’t think it would be an upset if belfort whips silva.....in my opinion silva hasn’t proved shit, other than being able to kick the crap out of less top 20 fighters med range fighters
griffin---slowest, softest puncher with heart..perfect prey for silva
leben--??? top 20 fighter
lutter---who has he fought??? exactly
James Irvin ??? not even close to top ten
Patrick Cote maybe top 10 fighter
Thales Leites -we all know hes hype, not a top fighter
top 10 fighters he fought
Dan hendo--which BTW hendo was kicking his ass ini the 1st, then he gassed
Franklin--silva destroyed!!! Period
Nate Marquardt - definitely was NOT lopsided..but silva won
Conclusion
Silva is a good fighter, but he is NOT a top lb for lbb fighter, no way...he needs to fight more real top contenders...too many people jumped on his band wagon cause he destroyed the like of
griffin
leben
lutter
James Irvin
Patrick Cote
Thales Leites
Hardly any top fighters there..when he does fight top notch commp
Dan hendo--
Franklin--
Nate Marquardt -
beside absolutely destroying Franklin (which I never ranked in top 5 anyway, ever)
he doest look like the god that all the lack of fighting knowledge think he is...
top Lb for Lb fighter
GSP
Fedor
Penn
silva
Aldo
The most realistic take on AS i have ever read. Just the facts bitches
831 Father Says:
@ daniel.mtl, take a lesson from fedorsmightylovehandles regarding quality posts.
Dante Says:
ROFL @ omunto
Professor Choas Says:
since when was dan miller a top 5 middle
daniel.mtl Says:
is this mma website or is it grammar website like no one rebuttals my argument wow and i am dyslexic so sorry i cause you guys pain and if that caused you pain stick to being keyboard warriors and have nothing to do with the physical part of mma (period). and now i am prob gonna get a bunch of comments saying that cant understand what i am sayin so they cant rebuttal back but in fact everyone i talk to on msn/face book can understand me so i am taking everyone i know is smarter than you guys (ppl bitching). i was thinking if i didnt make a point would you still bitch about my bad English ?? and yes once again i didnt use paragraphs since typing perfect English isnt on the top of my must do list, maybe its the highlight of your guys day to correct someones grammar or right the perfect English sentence but aint mine lolololo
whiny bitches comments/reg ppl comments
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