(Pain don’t hurt. Image courtesy of udothedishes.com.)
Like James Irvin and Patrick Cote before him, Forrest Griffin is pretty sure he knows what Anderson Silva‘s past opponents have been doing wrong, and doesn’t plan on making the same mistakes when he takes on the Spider in August. As Griffin told MMA Mania:
Well, for the fans, the worst that could happen is if Griffin plays it safe, Silva spends all three rounds waiting to counter-attack, nothing happens during the fight, and Silva loses the last of his flagging popularity. For Forrest Griffin, the worst that could happen is if Anderson Silva — inspired by his first worthy opponent since Dan Henderson — beats him into a coma that he never emerges from.
I think if I were Forrest, I’d try to focus on best-case scenarios here. As Fightlinker puts it, "Forrest on a good day can beat any fighter that’s having a bad day…he seems to be turning into a mini Randy Couture as far as upsets go, so who knows?" Trying to out-wrestle Silva is a good start — though as Hendo found out, that strategy will only get you so far.
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Comments
Thu, 04/30/09 - 10:42
FIRST
Thu, 04/30/09 - 10:42
funny how he looks happier after he got beat up
Thu, 04/30/09 - 10:45
Forrest only starts fighting after he's been hit. I LOVE the matchup
Thu, 04/30/09 - 10:45
I can't wait for this fight...Forrest is a great challenge because he will train his @ss off and be ready for and expecting a war. Great attitude. Silva will have to bring it. I see Silva winning because Forrest doesn't have the best chin, but an upset can always happen with Forrest.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 10:46
That's because he lost the pussy Hollywood hair.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 10:51
Yeah, but Hendo could've done a lot better if he didn't gas after the 1st round
Thu, 04/30/09 - 10:55
This is gonna be a huge fight. I'd honestly trade up lesnar vs. mir for that at UFC 100
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:04
Forrest by hadukin punch.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:19
well forrest the worst that could happen is silva makes u look like some little school boy bitch and u soar him back into popularity
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:25
people underestimate forrest griffin, they underestimated him against shogun and rampage, and he was winning the evans fights. until he got hardcore tko'd of course, haha. he likes being the underdog, he does better that way. he's also something that silva hasn't fought yet. he'll train his ass off, have a good game plan, be heavier and as big as anderson and he'll take a punch. i think either way this goes, it's going to be a very exciting fight on a card i'm not going to miss.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:25
JUly?
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:29
I think people aren't giving Forrest enough credit. He, Randy, and Tompkins will put together a solid gameplan. And maybe it is just me, but Anderson looked small in the fight against Leites, and Forrest is huge! He did weigh in at 183, and August isn't enough time to put on much weight. Forrest has some advantages, and he did manage to beat Rampage, which is no small task. I think Anderson will probably win, but I wish this fight could be a 5 rounder. @ LMH, stop making excuses for Hendo, he is good enough at doing that on his own. Hendo's problem is he tends to quit when things aren't going his way. He fought 5 tough rounds with Rampage. Hendo didn't just "gas." Watch that fight again, and see how Anderson's punches made him gas. And also watch for when Anderson has him on the ground and is punching Dan's face while Dan is turtled up, and he pretty much knocks Dan out, which allows him to sink in the choke so easily.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:31
What's the worst that can happen? Ask Rich Franklin.. his answer will probably be reconstructive surgery for your face.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:45
Silva is a very stubborn counter striker... not playing into his game is going to be a very boring fight... again. Griffin should at least posture in the center of the ring so that Silva will look like the bitch.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:47
there are three facts in this fight. one, first punch will land on forrest and will make him smile. two, this will be a loss for spider. three, bj penn is a fat cry baby.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:53
griffin is gonna win
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:54
Let me ask u , u think the spindly spider hits as hard as Rampage? didnt think so .. so how ol Forrst do against him? Griffn can win here, i believe he matches up well here.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:54
did more thinking about it... Griffin needs to seriously take up the center of the ring and then proceed to heckle and taunt Silva into coming towards him until the crowd boos. I'd pay to see that.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 11:58
The Champ will remain The Champ no Doubt. If Forest smiles after he gets hit, Anderson will do a damn good job to wipe that smile right off. Then Forest will Cry. After all Anderson Silva is a GOD.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 12:16
Griffin will win. Finally we can put an end to Silva nuthuggin...besides hendo, and franklin, hes fought tomato cans, and Hendo was winning untill he gassed...frick..Lutter, Travis Lutter won a round for fricks sake..this guy is over rated, and deep down he knows it, cant wait. Griffin by TKO Ground and Pound 2nd rd
Thu, 04/30/09 - 12:25
you guys are underestimating Forrest too much. the dude is a hughe LHW fighter. Anderson is gonna have problems with Griffens size and strength. i think Forrest will get him to the ground and well see Silva fight from his back. I believe Griffen with get to half guard and ground and pound a stoppage. Anderson Silva is nice... but hes overrated. u cant be the worlds best pound for pound fighter if u can dominate while counter striking. The worlds best finds a way to win and kick your ass no matter what. Mike Tyson was a dominate champion. Anderson Silva is a great matial artist but a sorry ass champion.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 12:30
ONLY... you can't be the best pound for pound fighter if you can ONLY dominate while counter striking...
Thu, 04/30/09 - 12:32
Here's the thing that gives me hope for Griffin. He's bigger than Hendo. His Jiu-Jitsu is better than Hendo's. Granted, Hendo's wrestling has no equal, but he doesn't have the jiu-jitsu to compliment an amazing wrestling game. I'm gonna say that Griffin pulls out the split decision win on activity and ground control alone.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 12:34
@band23 LMAO #3 threw me off!
Thu, 04/30/09 - 12:42
Forest is FUCKED plain and simple.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 01:07
honestly, i think forrest can win this despite versing "new" or "old" anderson silva. He needs a good gameplan and we all know the forrest is very good at sticking to the game plan even if he is losing.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 01:14
On paper, Forrest is a dead man. But that is what everybody believed prior to Rua and Rampage. Griffin fights from the underdog position like few others. This will be interesting as long as Silva acts even slightly interested in fighting. If Silva does come to fight, I think it will get messy. One fighter excels in cutting his opponents with razor like strikes and the other excels at bleeding.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 01:52
I have forrest by split. I think it will go back and forth with silva getting the best of the stricking. I think forest will get him down a couple of times and avoid some submissions , hit him a couple of times doing no damage, and that will win enough points for the win.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 01:58
And by the way loosers, quit bashing Silva he is the champ. Argue the non existant pound for pound belt all you want, but he has been dominant in his divison for a long time. His record proves. He has had a couple dismal performances but it wasn't but 3 fights ago he demolished someone with like 30 real pounds on him. People just get tired of someone at the top too long and want to see him loose. I think that happened to Chuck and its happening here.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 01:59
FORREST ALL THE WAY BACK TO GETTING A TITLE SHOT!!!!!
Thu, 04/30/09 - 02:57
Let's hope the gameplan doesn't consist of getting annihilated, or the more heinous outcome, pulling guard 10,000 times for no reason other than to think that Silva will actually try and finish the fight there. Sorry Thales, you blew it.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 03:03
@ C-Bus Allstar He's not fighting Hendo bro. Secondly, Forest has never been knocked out while on his feet. When he has been TKO'd, it was while he was on his back. He needs to learn to control the posture of his opponent while they're trying to GNP him out. That won't help him against the spider, but I still thought I sounded kinda smart sayin it.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 03:12
@ jay smith right on, motha fucka!
Thu, 04/30/09 - 03:27
Forest Doen't have the best chin? Im sorry but Im confused Have you never seen him fight. Ya he's been caught but who hasn't besides Silva. That guy is a FREAKING GOD!! I say Forest will win the fight as long as he brings his A game.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 03:47
Forrest is going to win. He's not going to finish Silva, but Forrest will win a UD.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 03:51
I demand a CAPS LOCK HAL post
Thu, 04/30/09 - 04:03
Dont think silva hits as hard as Rampage? ask chris leben, who by the way is only semi succesful because he has id say, besides maybe mark hunt the best fucking chin in the game and he looked stupid against silva, ask james irvin, as nate marquardt. Silva does what he has to to win, if u think forrest will win by decision i think you are crazy. The only way he has half a chance in hell is if he unexpectedly pulls a funky sub out of his ass via Chonan. Silva will dominate, Forrest will not be able to hit him. And he wont be able to take him down. The only reason Lutter was able to get a take down was Silva had a bum knee that fight that he later had surgery on to repair. If u notice he couldnt even sprawl that fight but has no problem sprawling in any of his fights since then. Silva will win via Roy jones jr hand behind the back jump hook KO BIATCH. The shit he does in the cage is absolutely mind blowing. We'll see how far forrests game plan with his leg kicks gets him and silvas quick ass catches it and clocks him in the chin. Forest is gon look dumb yo!
Thu, 04/30/09 - 04:12
Talk about feeding the trolls.. Forrest is a great fighter I give him credit.. but Anderson is just unreal. He just got taken down into half gaurd by a world class jiu jitsu guy with tons of time left and absolutely nothing happened except him escaping. He also submitted Travis Lutter, a bjj world champion, from his back. He gnp'd Marquardt, he choked out Henderson, he out brawled Leben without taking a hit, he manhandled Franklin in the clinch where Rich thought he'd have the advantage... I guess you guys are hard to please but that's enough for me. He gets bored fighting 2 scrubs everyone knows don't belong in the ring with him and everyone thinks he's overrated. I'll be betting on Silva.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 04:14
I also agree, silva hits hard as shit. He isn't some big meathead but you can tell he hits hard when you see how all of those guys react to it. The only one that could take his shots was Cote, that guys got a chin.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 04:19
all you anderson silva haters are way off base, that includes you cage potato. "flagging popularity", he is clearly the best professional fighter in the world, it's not his fault that the majority of mma "fans" don't really want to see mixed martial arts, what they want is a street fight. mma is a sport and there are many ways to win a fight. In 7 of 9 ufc fights anderson silva has won by either ko, tko, or submission. the cote fight could have been 8, no one will ever know for sure but in my oppinion it was headed that way. thales was scared as hell and wanted no part of that fight once he realized he couldn't keep anderson on the ground. anderson silva is going to destroy an aggressive forrest griffin and continue his dominance in the ufc.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 04:47
I'm inclined to concur with band23.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 04:52
forrest will beat him.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 05:21
Silly Forest Nut Hugger's ....Keep huggin cause those nuts are gonna get dropped to the mat, and you dont wanna Fall off the Forest nuthugging Train. that just might hurt your Feelings.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 06:06
Please Forrest, beat this goofball. I am so tired of Anderson Silva, his in-ring cocky antics, his BS verbal translations (pre and post match), his couldn't-care-less attitude, his preference to "not lose" instead of "win", his so-called definition of a "perfect fight" that results in a snoozefest, his gay little shimmy motions in his post fight celebrations, etc, etc. There should be a system in the UFC (like Pride) that deducts money from a fighters purse for non-activity and non-engagement. Or, Dana should write into their contracts that he has the discretion to denie a portion of a figthers purse for this type of activity. Then it forces the fighters to put their ass on the line. Maybe Silva doesn't care what the fans think, but maybe he would start to care if it was costing him financially. Go Forrest.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 06:28
forrest is gonna win that fight, no doubt about it.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 06:55
Forest will do his job in this fight, which is to say he will go after Silva and make the fight more exciting. And the last time I checked, that is just as good as putting your head on a silver platter and just handing it to Silva.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 07:11
not that i think silva is overrated, it's just that forrest is too good a light heavy to be hurt by silva. he's gonna get tagged, he's gonna take damage, but he can withstand damage like no one else and still be effective. silva isn't gonna gas, but he'll wear down easier than a rampage, i'd bet. he'll wrestle silva down -- god i don't want to see a lay-and-pray situation -- and then he'll work the gnp until he pulls an submission. i say forrest, late round 2 armbar or von flue.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 08:13
Although his technique is much better, Anderson Silva's counter-striking could be comparable to Liddel's... Once Liddel was figured out, he was done. Maybe Forest can do this to the Spider
Thu, 04/30/09 - 08:23
wow why is Anderson so unliked....and HOW just HOW can you compare Anderson to Liddel...hahaha
Thu, 04/30/09 - 09:16
Its clear that if Silva can win this fight he deserves a LHW title fight. Fuck, BJ gto a WW title shot. I think alot of people are dissapointed with the lack of talent in the MW division, and ther is no shortness of talent in the LHW division. If he had the opportunity to hold two titles then we would see some fuckin fire works. I do on the other hand think that Forrest has an excellent chane to beat Silva. We will see if he has any buisness in the LHW division.
Thu, 04/30/09 - 09:20
yeah the only way i would compare chuck and anderson is in the fear they strike in other fighters. but while chuck was a vicious ko machine, anderson is more of a technical marvel. anderson is my p4p pick, and i think it'll be competitive, but i just feel forrest will overwhelm him in the end with tenacity and endurance. this is the most interesting matchup i've seen in a long time (on paper, at least).
Fri, 05/01/09 - 01:43
This will be a great and even matchup.
Fri, 05/01/09 - 01:06
Anderson will win. It will be tough, but he will win.
Fri, 05/01/09 - 05:57
If anyone can step thru all the hype and just FIGHT Anderson its Forrest.... Its gunna be one kick ass match.... I See Forrest by Ground n Pound in Round 3
Tue, 05/05/09 - 03:58
@JPFighter are you kidding? 'his preference to not lose instead of win'? what fights have you been watching? were you talking about anderson silva or tim sylvia circa 2006? because regardless of what you think about his performance since he's been in the ufc(which includes 2 submissions, 5 (t)ko's, and not going passed the second round in 7 fights, not to mention the fact that he's undefeated in 9 fights in the worlds greatest mma corporation) A.silva has been destroying people since he burst onto the scene. you're talking about a guy who was handpicked by chute boxe for his brutal and aggressive style, and was trained to fight with skill by learning his Bjj from two brothers who are world renowned in the sport. do some actual research and watch any of anderson silvas fights pre-ufc and try to tell me that this is a guy who doesn't push a fight. it really shows how little some people actually know about the sport you see people actually writing things like that. so what you're saying if i understand you correctly is that because he has not knocked anyone out in two fights that he is suddenly not a great fighter? so did you feel this same way when he destroyed franklin both times? or how about when he walked through leben, marquart and lutter? and i guess you weren't impressed when he became third fighter to ever submit hendo? and just so we're clear 'fighting to not lose' that was what he was doing when he knocked james irvin out right? fighting not to lose? you lack appreciation for a man who has brought enormous amounts of entertainment into this sport. its fighters like him that are the reason why bars show fights, and venues put on fighting events because he makes it worth seeing.
Thu, 05/07/09 - 11:35
forrest can win he smart and know wat he doin in the ring silva is amazing striker i will give everbody that but come on foreest will think it through and find a way to win forrest all the way ahaha be funny if he knocks silva out upset of the decade
Thu, 01/21/10 - 12:17
Wow, reading Forrest's statement now, it seems oddly prophetic...
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