After Saturday nights fight, the question has to be asked... is he just "too good" for his division in the UFC? He has been tested by some of the best fighters out there and has yet to be topped. Okami was supposed to be that "strong ground and pound" fighter who was going to put him in his place and Silva was able to avoid the takedowns and have his way with the match. Chael Sonnen may keep running his mouth about his "almost" win, but the fact is that he lost, Silva won, and it doesn't look like anybody in that divison can step up and take the belt from him. I know that there are more guys who dislike Silva than like him on here, but leave personal feelings out of it and he is the best fighter that the UFC has ever had. I watched the fight with two guys who can't stand the sight of The Spider and after the fight said that they think it's the UFC's fault for fans backlash towards Silva. They will admit that he is head and shoulders above the rest of the fighters in that division and that his dominance of those fighters makes him appear arrogant. They brought up an idea that I am starting to agree with more and more.... the UFC should start making Anderson fight more at 205. The Light Heavyweight division has guys who are more suited to fight guys like Anderson and we would actually see Silva put to a physical challenge. I know, I know, everybody will bring up Chael Sonnen, there is no denying that he was able to put Silva on the mat and keep him there, but Silva ended the night looking like he just woke up while Sonnen ended up looking like he had been hit by a car. What do you guys think about Silva's last 3 fights, who can actually challenge him in that division, and where/what course should he go in the UFC!
deff one of the best ever! thinking about it now when i get old and gray i'll be able to talk about some of the things this man did in the sport. i just hope he doesnt get antsy and listen to people trying to pull him to other weight classes. just fight your weight till someone dethrones you or you get tired of it! i'll keep buying the fights to watch you Spider!
The "ground and pound" that Okami was supposed to bring to the table was more of a marketing ploy by the UFC to hype the fight... IMO. They -- as well as the rest of the world now -- knows that that's what it's going to take to beat Anderson. He's above and beyond a world-class striker, and it's foolish to stand with him in the center of the Octagon. Problem is, that's all Okami really tried; he got goaded into Anderson's game. When Silva was toying with him near the end, he should have faked an overhand and changed levels for the shot... simple as that. I REALLY want to see Chael get past Stann to earn a chance at a rematch -- as much as I like Brian. Problem is, the "element of surprise" is now gone and we'll have to see EXACTLY how good Sonnen's shot is now... I think it can hold up for a possible repeat performance because Anderson couldn't stop it in 4 1/2 rounds, even knowing exactly what was coming... If it weren't for that stupid triangle...
Anderson is so freaking good.. but Chael definately handled him for 4.5 rounds last time. The only guy I have ever seen handle Anderson like that. But then again.. in a rematch Anderson may kick him in the face or catch him in the first round. Anderson really impressed me the other day. I wouldnt mind seeing Dan Henderson getting one more shot at Anderson too.
His footwork, speed, hands, and intimidation factor are the best in the game. With that said, his defensive wrestling is the biggest glaring hole of any current UFC champion, and he just happens to be in the division that has what I believe to be the worst wrestlers. I'd bet on Chael, GSP, and maybe even Henderson, Shields, or Fitch against him.
He is one bad dude. I don't know that you can safely bet against him on anyone. I don't even follow it that much, but most fights I watch are of him just because of how dominating he is.
He is that way because of the way he trained when he first started out. Chute Box out of Brazil was probably the most hardcore MMA fight camp 5 years or so ago. They trained like Spartan warriors and produced killers.
He is without question, the best pound for pound fighter in the world. Chael Sonnen showed he can be beaten up and dominated ( for 4 and a half rounds). Even so, Anderson Silva came out with the win. Anderson has stated many times that he will not move up and fight for another weight class. Although, he did so twice, with no problems, but with average guys. There is talk about George St. Pierre moving up to fight him, but come on, Anderson walks around at 220+ and GSP walks at 185ish...If he wants to prove something, not that he has much to prove, he'll move up and fight Jon Jones. That is if Jones gets through Quinton Jackson and Rashaad Evans. I personally see the next match for Silva being Chael Sonnen, after Sonnen beats Brian Stann. Then after that, taking on Jon Jones, or whom ever beats Jones. Anderson Silva WILL be beaten, its inevitable. And I will love it!
And HOW!! He never ceases to amaze me by pissing me off at some point in a night... whether it's by totally tanking a fight as he did against Leites and Maia, or some other inane act we're forced to endure. This past fight he pissed me off when he went and bowed at the feet of Okami post-fight, laying his belt at his feet. If he REALLY respected his opponent, he wouldn't have acted as he did in the middle of round two... There's never been a prettier sight in MMA to me than for Chael laying in Anderson's guard throwing elbow after elbow...
Is Silva's toying dis-respect or all part of his game plan? Who else does that... not something you really "train" for. I'll be honest I couldn't stand the guy until he fought Sonnen, Then at that point, I knew this dude is the real deal... I wanted to see GSP beat him one day, but I'm over it will never happen(the fight its self)
