Chael and Vitor both present serious problems for Silva.

 

Vitor yes, Chael no. We have basically already seen the Chael fight already when his teammate Hendo fought Silva and Sonnen is no Dan Henderson.

I'll post my thoughts and I now I'll get blasted.

 

 

Silva is no where close to P4P #1.

 

Why?

 

He is an elite striker........but refuses to go to the mat to finish anyone.

 

Its MIXED martial arts, not K-1.

 

People criticize BJJ guys for not engaging Silva on the feet, but why not criticize Silva for beating them on the ground?

 

Silva is acting like he's bored out there, like he wants a real challenge. However, if that's actually the case, why didn't he just go to the ground with Leites and Maia. I mean if he wants a challenge, there's a case to be made that going into Maia's guard might be the biggest challenge available at 185....................

 

 

Fedor went into the guard of Big Nog when Big Nog was in his prime in PRIDE FC and beat the greatest BJJ HW in MMA EVER................

 

Silva is also catching flak by Brazilians for the dis-respectful things he said during the fight.

 

 

 

 

Oh by the way, Maia tried to go after him in the 4th, faked a shot and came with an overhand left and caught Silva..........then Silva ran

 

 

He finished Lutter and Hendo on the ground...

:thumb: I think Silva has an excellent ground game anyway. But, it's not his responsibility to make the fight more difficult for himself.

 

He finished Lutter from his back. He choked out Dan Henderson. He can fight on the ground if he has to.

 

Unfortunately, for Silva haters anyway, nobody is good enough to get him there. And, certainly nobody can stand with the guy.

 

I can't say that I agreed with Silva's actions in the Maia fight. But, Maia did absolutely nothing for the majority of the first three rounds. I'm tired of Dana White and Joe Silva wasting the world's best fighter against guys who won't make a fight of it...Maia, his supporters and Silva's haters can say what they want about the last two rounds, but Silva had shut down at that point. He was hardly trying at all and still won one or both of those rounds. The fact that Maia actually landed a punch is hardly noteworthy. The fact that he hardly threw one for 15 minutes is noteworthy.

 

If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man...Ric Flair got one thing right. And, you can't win a belt by not fighting. Nobody expected Maia to go toe-to-toe in a slugfest, but for 15 minutes it looked like he was just waiting for Silva to lay down so they could have a BJJ match. He certainly made little effort himself to get the fight to the ground.

 

Silva needs to move to 205. He'll most likely knock GSP out and I don't see how that helps the UFC. There are numerous exciting matchups at LHW. Guys who will fight Silva, and perhaps a few who are capable of challenging him.

Vitor yes, Chael no. We have basically already seen the Chael fight already when his teammate Hendo fought Silva and Sonnen is no Dan Henderson.

 

Sonnen would be an early KO. Vitor has the talent to make things interesting. Ultimately, I think he'll get knocked out to, but his combination of power and hand speed is something Silva hasn't faced...if he can find an opening and land a shot, he can finish anybody.

 

If Silva fights at 185 again, Belfort is the only worthwhile option.

 

Sonnen is just trying to talk his way into a title shot. If he builds up enough bad blood between he and Silva, he might get a shot just because of the hype. His fate would be similar to that of James Irvin and Forrest Griffin.

Sonnen would be an early KO. Vitor has the talent to make things interesting. Ultimately, I think he'll get knocked out to, but his combination of power and hand speed is something Silva hasn't faced...if he can find an opening and land a shot, he can finish anybody.

 

If Silva fights at 185 again, Belfort is the only worthwhile option.

 

Sonnen is just trying to talk his way into a title shot. If he builds up enough bad blood between he and Silva, he might get a shot just because of the hype. His fate would be similar to that of James Irvin and Forrest Griffin.

 

Pretty much what I think as well.

He finished Lutter from his back. He choked out Dan Henderson. He can fight on the ground if he has to.

 

Unfortunately, for Silva haters anyway, nobody is good enough to get him there. And, certainly nobody can stand with the guy.

 

I can't say that I agreed with Silva's actions in the Maia fight. But, Maia did absolutely nothing for the majority of the first three rounds. I'm tired of Dana White and Joe Silva wasting the world's best fighter against guys who won't make a fight of it...Maia, his supporters and Silva's haters can say what they want about the last two rounds, but Silva had shut down at that point. He was hardly trying at all and still won one or both of those rounds. The fact that Maia actually landed a punch is hardly noteworthy. The fact that he hardly threw one for 15 minutes is noteworthy.

 

If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man...Ric Flair got one thing right. And, you can't win a belt by not fighting. Nobody expected Maia to go toe-to-toe in a slugfest, but for 15 minutes it looked like he was just waiting for Silva to lay down so they could have a BJJ match. He certainly made little effort himself to get the fight to the ground.

 

Silva needs to move to 205. He'll most likely knock GSP out and I don't see how that helps the UFC. There are numerous exciting matchups at LHW. Guys who will fight Silva, and perhaps a few who are capable of challenging him.

As always, an excellent post!

I was pleased to see Hughes come out on top. I wanted to see more of that 'violence' that he spoke of in the previews though. His leg kicks were very destructive.

 

I was disappointed in Penn's performance. Edgar was way to fast for Penn. That's not the same Penn that fought Diego Sanchez. I've read around that he says he had a sinus infection.

 

I was very disappointed in Silva's actions during the fight. I can understand his frustration though. I agree with the comments made by 5wide and JD If U Please though. Silva needs to be challenged, but I think to prove his "#1 P4P Ranking", he should have gotten down on the ground with Maia and beaten him there. Showing how dominant he really is.........his actions were not those of a champion though.

 

Lookin' forward to May 8th though!

 

Later.

I was pleased to see Hughes come out on top. I wanted to see more of that 'violence' that he spoke of in the previews though. His leg kicks were very destructive.

 

I was disappointed in Penn's performance. Edgar was way to fast for Penn. That's not the same Penn that fought Diego Sanchez. I've read around that he says he had a sinus infection.

 

I was very disappointed in Silva's actions during the fight. I can understand his frustration though. I agree with the comments made by 5wide and JD If U Please though. Silva needs to be challenged, but I think to prove his "#1 P4P Ranking", he should have gotten down on the ground with Maia and beaten him there. Showing how dominant he really is.........his actions were not those of a champion though.

 

Lookin' forward to May 8th though!

 

Later.

 

Why should he go to the mat willingly when he doesn't have to? The best P4P fighter is only opinion...the only requirement to be in the discussion is to dominate your opponents. It doesn't matter how. Silva's performance against Maia may have been disappointing and it may have angered some fans, but I didn't see a hint of weakness or the guy slowing down. He's still the best fighter in the world, IMO. The fact that he chose not to finish Maia doesn't make me question how great he is...only his motivation and thought process. :idunno:

 

Guys like Maia simply aren't prepared or equipped to deal with a striker of Silva's ability. I can't understand why he continues to have to fight them. It's one thing to get the Sonnen's and Quarry's of the world to the ground and overwhelm them with your BJJ...it's completely different to do that against a guy who can finish you with a strike from any of his limbs at any time.

 

In fairness, this was supposed to be Vitor Belfort and he was injured. Maia took the opportunity. Under the circumstances, Anderson Silva should have given a more sincere effort, since Maia wasn't the first choice. But, Dana White and Joe Silva should take notice...they need to do a better job with their matchmaking with regards to the Spider. He may not be their top draw, and he may have alienated some fans, but he's still the only guy UFC can put on a card that will guarantee my $45. I know I'm not the only person that feels that way. They need to cash in on his talent.

I was disappointed in Penn's performance. Edgar was way to fast for Penn. That's not the same Penn that fought Diego Sanchez. I've read around that he says he had a sinus infection.

 

Penn looked lethargic and disinterested. If he stays at 155 and they give him a rematch with Edgar, I expect he'll dominate the action and probably finish it at some point.

 

That doesn't diminish Edgar's accomplishment. At 155, beating BJ Penn is a tall order whether he's motivated or not.

Why should he go to the mat willingly when he doesn't have to? The best P4P fighter is only opinion...the only requirement to be in the discussion is to dominate your opponents. It doesn't matter how. Silva's performance against Maia may have been disappointing and it may have angered some fans, but I didn't see a hint of weakness or the guy slowing down. He's still the best fighter in the world, IMO. The fact that he chose not to finish Maia doesn't make me question how great he is...only his motivation and thought process. :idunno:

 

Guys like Maia simply aren't prepared or equipped to deal with a striker of Silva's ability. I can't understand why he continues to have to fight them. It's one thing to get the Sonnen's and Quarry's of the world to the ground and overwhelm them with your BJJ...it's completely different to do that against a guy who can finish you with a strike from any of his limbs at any time.

 

In fairness, this was supposed to be Vitor Belfort and he was injured. Maia took the opportunity. Under the circumstances, Anderson Silva should have given a more sincere effort, since Maia wasn't the first choice. But, Dana White and Joe Silva should take notice...they need to do a better job with their matchmaking with regards to the Spider. He may not be their top draw, and he may have alienated some fans, but he's still the only guy UFC can put on a card that will guarantee my $45. I know I'm not the only person that feels that way. They need to cash in on his talent.

I agree with you, he shouldn't go to the mat if he doesn't have to. I just think he should have finished the fight rather than shout at Maia for not striking. We all knew that Maia wasn't gonna come into this thing with a massive improvement in his striking.....but for Silva to play the counter-striking game and then get angry......that's silly.

 

Where (weight class) do you (or any of the fine readers here at BGP) think we'll see Silva actually get a challenge.....and from whom?

 

Me? It won't be at 170 against GSP. It'll have to be at 205 with the likes of Shogun, Rampage, Evans (who may be able to take him down) and Bones Jones (in a few years).

 

Later.

Penn looked lethargic and disinterested. If he stays at 155 and they give him a rematch with Edgar, I expect he'll dominate the action and probably finish it at some point.

 

That doesn't diminish Edgar's accomplishment. At 155, beating BJ Penn is a tall order whether he's motivated or not.

I agree with this as well.

 

Later.

Why should he go to the mat willingly when he doesn't have to? The best P4P fighter is only opinion...the only requirement to be in the discussion is to dominate your opponents. It doesn't matter how. Silva's performance against Maia may have been disappointing and it may have angered some fans, but I didn't see a hint of weakness or the guy slowing down. He's still the best fighter in the world, IMO. The fact that he chose not to finish Maia doesn't make me question how great he is...only his motivation and thought process. :idunno:

 

Guys like Maia simply aren't prepared or equipped to deal with a striker of Silva's ability. I can't understand why he continues to have to fight them. It's one thing to get the Sonnen's and Quarry's of the world to the ground and overwhelm them with your BJJ...it's completely different to do that against a guy who can finish you with a strike from any of his limbs at any time.

 

In fairness, this was supposed to be Vitor Belfort and he was injured. Maia took the opportunity. Under the circumstances, Anderson Silva should have given a more sincere effort, since Maia wasn't the first choice. But, Dana White and Joe Silva should take notice...they need to do a better job with their matchmaking with regards to the Spider. He may not be their top draw, and he may have alienated some fans, but he's still the only guy UFC can put on a card that will guarantee my $45. I know I'm not the only person that feels that way. They need to cash in on his talent.

 

 

He should fight K-1, or Dana and company could throw him to Brock, Carwin, JDS, Cain................he wants the big dogs let him fight the real big dogs.......and the greatest fighter in the world does not choose to go 5 rounds with anyone.

I agree with you, he shouldn't go to the mat if he doesn't have to. I just think he should have finished the fight rather than shout at Maia for not striking. We all knew that Maia wasn't gonna come into this thing with a massive improvement in his striking.....but for Silva to play the counter-striking game and then get angry......that's silly.

 

Where (weight class) do you (or any of the fine readers here at BGP) think we'll see Silva actually get a challenge.....and from whom?

 

Me? It won't be at 170 against GSP. It'll have to be at 205 with the likes of Shogun, Rampage, Evans (who may be able to take him down) and Bones Jones (in a few years).

 

Later.

 

:thumb:

 

I agree. It was silly and he should have finished the fight. I'm not as outraged as it appears that many are based on the columns I've read online.

 

If he can't adjust to or has a hard time with the cut to 170, that could open the door for GSP to beat him. Otherwise, if Silva is comfortable with the weight, he'll win that fight. I don't see why a catch-weight at 175-180 wouldn't work for that fight...or maybe split the difference and do 177.5? Either way, I'm not that excited about a potential GSP/Silva matchup. He needs to move up, not down.

 

Personally, I think he can dominate the 205 pound division as well. Whether those guys can challenge him or not, there are some interesting fights potentially. Here's a few guys I'd like to see Silva fight...

 

Rampage

Machida

Belfort

Shogun

Couture

Velasquez

Carwin

Mir

Big Nog

 

Of course, Dana has already announced that his next opponent will be Chael Sonnen. Looks like Sonnen talked his way into a title shot. At least he's a guy who will probably bring some fight into the octagon.