Who cares... Liddell lost, Brian Stann lost, nothing else matters anymore. But yes, I heard it was a joke.
just tough when you have a guy that good, what are you gonna do against him? lack of offense i'll give you that but i think some of those Brazillian Jujitzu fighters are a lot of defense. if he (anderson) woulda went after that guy they would have had to call 5 of Thales' best friends (to carry his coffin)
it was a lackluster fight, but I can't blame Anderson for how he faught. He didn't pursue farther than he had to, and Leites.. I don't even know. And it was sad to see one of my fave's go down, in possibly his last fight. Chuck is still the man in my eyes.
I understand all too well about Anderson being a counter-puncher by nature... but I was EXTREMELY disappointed that he didn't take the fight to Leites more than he did... Hell, I timed it: the first round was halfway over before he threw a punch. At one point, he HAD unleashed a bit of a flurry on his opponent, and had his head down for the PERFECT opportunity to go into a Muay Thai clinch and kill the dude with knees and he let go and backed off. Everyone at my table was like "What the ??" He's undeniably great... but I wish someone would get in there and bull-rush his ass like Brock does at the opening bell -- not give him time to do that crap at the beginning. Yes, Leites didn't take the fight to Anderson, but Anderson could have engaged at will and didn't. I blame Anderson JUST as much as Leites, and I know Dana White does as well after reading his commentary on the event. In fact, he had a LONG heart-to-heart with Silva and his manager after the fight... one more instance like that worthless performance and I doubt you'll EVER see him as a main headliner by himself again in the UFC.
Greg - I understand what you're saying to an extent but every time he tried to engage Leites he simply fell to the ground and basically refused to fight. Silva tried several times to engage, all ending the same result. I think the blame should lay at about an 80/20 split with most of it going to Leites. Hands down one of the worst fights I've seen in the UFC, and definitely the worst headliner. If I paid money to watch it on TV, or worse yet be there, I would've been pissed beyond belief. However, I watched it for free at a bar whilst enjoying the scenery and some cold beer so it wasn't a total loss. :D
Me too, Justin. I'm still pissed though at having to go home smelling like a cigarette for that crap. I don't know... Leites flopped a lot yes, but there was PLENTY of time for Silva to attack, and he just danced around waiting for Leites to do something when after a while it was apparent he wasn't going to. Leites wasn't a game opponent, but I still say Silva's peformance could be summed up with the old movie title "Failure to Launch." Apparently, Dana White agrees as well... Here's what he had to say afterwards: "When a guy is that talented and can literally end a fight whenever he wants to? Wow!” If Silva truly deserves his spot atop the "pound-for-pound best fighter" as most pundits like to proclaim him, then he's got to learn how to explode on an opponent when he's got the opportunity and take him out -- not just win on scoring cards. I can't see Fedor just sitting back, dancing around and going minutes at a time without throwing a punch, nor a lot of the other elite fighters. Leites wouldn't have had the CHANCE to flop against a lot of them; they'd unleashed a barrage and not let up until the ref stepped in.
I would argee with just. 80/20 is probably the split I'd give it. Silva is a counter-striker, but in this case he even engaged more than usual. Not to mention, this is his first fight thats went to decision.
good points by all!!!! i guess i just take it for what it is, not that great of an offensive fight. but i also give all the credit to the fighter who wins, no matter how it happens! i just dont think anyone is crazy enough to charge anderson... enjoy watching him while he fights, because he strikes me as the barry sanders, jim brown type to just leave the game on top and do something else.
it would be great, although im not an advocate of fighers jumping weight classes just to do it and make a big card. just a wish list i suppose=-) i'd take the Spider.
Here are my thoughts, I don't blame Anderson Silva one bit. I think he did what he planned to do and that was win the fight. Leites did nothing but fall and try and pull guard. Yes that is boring and Anderson is clearly a better striker and possibly could have finished him anytime. However in a MMA fight anything can happen. Anderson did try and engage standing and was waiting for Leites to come win the belt. Anderson was not falling for the bait and why should he? Because Dana White wants to use him to promote major headlines or have bragging rights to the world's best PFP fighter? As great a fighter Anderson is why would he go to the ground with a someone who is a notch above him on the ground. Makes no sense. He didn't have to go there just to try and make the fight exciting and risk getting caught in a submission. I beleive that is the way Anderson has lost most if not all of his fights is by submission. He is a black belt but not world class or as Rogan would say "a black belt that submits other black belts." lol Was it a great fight? No! Was it the worst I ever saw? Not even close. Back in the early 90's when I watched it before watching UFC was cool I would see guys lay there for 15-30 minutes. Can't blame Anderson for doing what give him the best chance at winning. If Leites would of wanted to win the title he should of actually brought it and put it on the line. I agree with Justin on the 80% Leites fault and 20% Andersons fault. We were spoiled to see all the dynamic KO's fighters know Anderson's game and if they attack or rush they risk being made look silly. I have saw no one who strikes like Anderson. And other fighters obviously know this. I expect more of the same from future opponents. Dana needs to relax on making the bucks and appreciate the styles. Just because he is proclaimed one of the best does not mean every fight has to be a highlight reel KO. If we expect that then we should be watching the toughman contest.
Anderson is a GREAT fighter. I think he just fights up to his opponents ability. that's why he destroyed Franklin. he had too. Rich is also a great fighter. the rest of these guys they keep throwing in there with Anderson aren't even close to him skill wise. I think Anderson is just trying to finish out of his contract. he doesn't care to put on the big show. he wants to get into boxing and fight RJJ.
