Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort Planned for UFC 108
UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will return to the Octagon to take on Vitor Belfort at UFC 108 on January 2 in Las Vegas, according to the LA Times, which confirmed with UFC President Dana White that both fighters have verbally agreed to the co-headlining matchup.
Silva (25-4) has gone undefeated since early-2006, winning a record 10-straight UFC fights over the likes of Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson, and Nate Marquardt. “The Spider,” who recently underwent surgery on his elbow, returns to 185-pounds to take on Belfort after moving up to light heavyweight in August, where he recorded a first-round knockout of Forrest Griffin.
Belfort (19-8), the UFC 12 heavyweight tournament winner and former light heavyweight champion, returned to the UFC earlier this month with a first-round knockout of Rich Franklin at UFC 103. “The Phenom” has now won five-straight, including previous back-to-back knockouts of Terry Martin and Matt Lindland in Affliction.
UFC 108, the UFC’s traditional year-end show which airs live on pay-per-view, is also expected to include a matchup between former light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans and Thiago Silva.
For the latest UFC 108 news and UFC 108 rumors stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.
Tags: Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort
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This is an interesting situation, 3 fights “left” on Silva’s contract til he “retires” and 3 potential huge fights (Belfort, Hendo, Nate) nice way to start off 2010 actually, this fight should be a fantastic match, I doubt that it would even 3 rounds!
and you know he’ll want Rua ‘IF’ he beats Machida.
Rule #1: Never bet against Anderson Silva
Rule #2: Anderson Silva is always faster than his opponent
Rule #3: See Rule #1.
Agreed. I am not convinced the old Vitor is back. He still has power but up until he KOd rich he looked very timid. I see Andersons strikes going right down the middle and cutting Vitor in two. I think after a few hard shots from Andersons Vitor will start to lose it mentally. I’d love to see Vitor take over the MW division but I think Andersons style is a bad matchup for him.
What Vitor very timid??? even Anderson/Machida waits to gage his timing and distance.. does that make Anderson and Machida timid?? I like the rule never bet again Silva ,I use that one myself, but Silva’s always faster , not in hand speed .. Silva’s just more accurate and has reach plus good foot work.. but if he stay in the pocket to long he’ll eat the more punchs
true, true, and true
My crystal ball tells me Belfort by KO in Round 1.
your piece of glass is NO ball.
My prediction: Silva possess superior boxing technique, outstrike Belfort shatters entire division again prompt Hendo move up to LH. Nate eventually realizes he is still not on the Silva’s level and wise enough let Yushin Okami proceed so that Silva consummates UFC career with 13-0.
Not sure I buy into your position that Anderson Silva is the superior boxer. Belfort’s boxing skills have been well documented, and displayed.
And he finished mutual opponent Rich Franklin quicker than Silva ever did.
At best I’d rate them as about even, which is one of the factors that make this fight interesting…
Jcohl,
QUESTION is how many punches can Vitor land on Silva. Phenom is good at explosive striking overwhelms fighters up to B+ level (Franklin, Matt Lindland, Terry Martin etc.) Such explosive makes viewers ignore that he is largely one dimensional.
If you notice he scores poorly when facing seasoned and skilled opponent (lost to Hendo, Alistair Overeem twice, Couture twice, even tito Otiz in his prime). Silva’s footwork and head movement is second to none in UFC which will make Belfort’s fist attack ineffective. With his pinpoint accuracy Silva doesn’t need heavy hand to connect the ‘button’ as evident in the fight against Forest Griffin and Chris Leben.
More rare among top MMA players is Silva’s octagon performance has always appear to be effortless regardless the situation which reflect he is both very focus and relexed. (e.g. 1st round vs Hendo after Silva was took down)
In my opinion the only chance to defeat Silva is on the ground: you need someone like Hendo or Machida with better ground skills.
Can’t wait UFC 108 and hopefully before the end of Y2010 Silva vs Roy Jones Jr. under boxing rule.
Thats true Lisa 3-4 years ago
When he last fought a good wrestler who out pointed him.
His knowledge and maturity knowing to now train at Couture’s helps him alot with his Knowledge of the Basics of wrestling / mixed with Strenght size and Athletism of him at 185{look at what it does for GSP} ,plus he’s now pulling the trigger with his power because he not so afraid to be taken down.
My crystal ball tells ME someone had their fair share of the crack last nite at around 9:00
i think i called this fight, just pointing that out
Content removed due to racial nature. -Justin
What does race have to do with anything?
What?
We’re discussing race as a factor now in MMA?
WTF is this, Dungeons and Dragons, where you get special skills for being an elf or dwarf or half-orc?
No one wants to hear that noise.
BigNog is a killer BJJ guy because he busted his a$$ for years developing his skills, not because he’s from Brazil. Most in the know agree that Frank Mir is equal or close to BigNog’s level of BJJ, and he’s from suburban Las Vegas.
Same with Matt Hughes. He’s not an amazing wrestler because he’s white and Midwestern, but because he dropped the blood, sweat, and tears in the gym, on the mat, and then in the Octagon for everything he’s EARNED.
All I can say is I’ve read a lot of trollistic sh!t at this site recently, and this has got to be the absolute limit.
You’re lucky I’m not a mod, or this post would never have seen the light of day…
quoting jcohl “WTF is this, Dungeons and Dragons, where you get special skills for being an elf or dwarf or half-orc?” Bravo sir bravo
Content removed due to racial nature. I’m not having this crap. You’re welcome to remain on the site and talk about MMA, but when you start talking about how one race of people is a better fighter because they were bred to be a certain way, or whatever, I have to draw the line. Let’s leave race out of the conversation. -Justin
Belfort knocked out a much slower Franklin, no dissrespect to either of them, i’m a fan of both, but Silva is a freak and i just don’t see Belfort winning this one. Silva will break Vitor mentally by the 3rd round.
What are you talking about a much slower Franklin??? It’s the same Franklin we always get, its just that Vitor’s so fast he made Franklin look slow.
Plus, it took Vitor less time to knock Franklin out than it did Silva. That counts for something, IMO.
Franklin is a bit slower than he used to be. But hes been at this speed since the first Anderson fight. Go back and watch his fights with Loieasu(sp) Quarry, Shammy sham, Rivera, Dewees, and his two fights with Tanner. He was faster bigger and much more aggresive back then. Just some people have forgotten. Just watch his old fights and youl see what I mean. Its pretty crazy the difference. But hes been the same more or less for the past three years IMO.
Your talking about decent guys of that division ,Loieasu(sp) Quarry, Shammy sham, Rivera, Dewees, and his two fights with Tanner.. I mean Franklin can pick up the pace on these guys because of Franklins skill set compared to theirs. Franklin still has that speed , its just if he rushs a guy like Anderson with pinpoint accuracy / power he’s KO’ed and if he does that to Belfort ,Belforts has much faster / powerful hands and he’ll eat alot more shots and get KO’ed.. Franklin did the right thing by trying to throw strikes from different angles and not tryin to rush things.. because the time he really gets tagged is when he’s standing still or rushing forward. Belfort and Anderson compared to Franklin its kind of like a chess match. Belfort / Anderson is the Queen has all the right moves .. Franklin is the Knight coming off at different angle being his best plan of attack.
I say Silva by sub! Im calling it! 9-26-09 [12:26am]
(Quote) I say Silva by sub! Im calling it! 9-26-09 [12:26am]
Thats a tuff one to call.. very interesting tho lol..
I think Belforts the strenghter fighter means if he wants it to the ground he’ll get it there.. and Belforts had his Black Belt for years now must be 10 years by now.
Anderson Silva
Strenght- 9
Striking- 9.9 {he has the Clinch/Kicks/Hands/Accuracy}
BJJ- 8 {Black under Nog with improving Ground}
Wrestling- 7.5 {not a fish out of water knows to sprawl and his strenght helps}{plus nice reverse on a dizzed Marquardt}
Belfort
Strenght- 9.5
Striking- 9.5 {very fast/ powerful hands in and out of the pocket at will, decent kicks}
BJJ- 8.5 {even tho we don’t see it that much he’s good can hang with some top guys there}
Wrestling- {This is kind of a mystery to me we see flashs of it in the way we positions his Ground and Pound.. But I’ll go out on a lim and say sense he’s been training at Coutures mixed with his Strenght and Athletism he’s around a 8-8.5}
I just see there being more fireworks here then New Years.
Even tho I have a saying ever bet again Silva.. the same holds true for Belfort.
UFCMANZ,
I like your point system, I would agree with most of that. Also, your probably right about always choosing Silva! Very interesting matchup!
well,i guess out of everybody silva’s faced vitor probally has the best chance of landing a clean shot.Still don’t think it’s likely though.And i’m amazed that some of you actually think that this fight would even get out of the first never mind the third.
After that stupid giddy look Dana had on his face like “i just solved this 185 dilema, man im smart” at the 103 post presser. I knew this fight was gonna happen. As did most of you as well I assume. With this fight taking place now, a few things have come to mind.
-how is Hendo taking this? He might see this as a slap in the face and want nothing more to do with 185.
-will the fight between Dan and Nate even happen now? If it does when? Im thinking at UFC 109 on the same card GSP defends his title with the winner getting a shot at the belt no questions asked guaranteed.
-The rumoured 170 pound title defence at 108 will likely be at 109 now as beafing up 108 with two title fights as well as Rashad and Thiago would be kinda poinless.
-if GSP is good to go come 109, that will give Daley/Swick or whatever title eliminator the UFC is cookin up time to take place. With that fight likely happening as the main event for TUF 10 finale or on the 106 card.
-with only a few fights left on his contact and 1 of them now spoken for with another at 205 its still up in the air if GSP/Silva will ever happen. Based off of what Dana has been saying lately hes no longer interested in that fight, and will be dedicating himself to signing the Silva/Machida fight, or Silva Shogun if the impossible happens.
Thats it for me
I fully expect Hendo to now make a rambling blog post on his website about how no one can disrespect him… oh wait, he’s a professional, never mind.
oooooooh nice one. Rampage will be back. That you can count on. Hes had a taste for the money, and wont make it in acting regarless of what some of the dweebs on here think. Ya hes gonna get 2 mill for this role riiiight. He will run out of roles and money quick. Hes still gotta pay the insurance on that 125 thoudsand dollar Audi R8. After he worn out his tough guy roles he will be back. Its not like were gonna see him in some romantic comedies with Jennifer Garner, or a political thriller with Hackman and Willis.
UFC 108 is actually a good thing for Hendo, coz he may not have 45% winning chance of rematch against Silva now.
Hendo will be hack of top player in LH division as he himself said:”I’ll move up if I don’t get title shot”. His skill set and KO power measure up any LH guy. I won’t be surprised if he picks one in LH and observes UFC 108 then come back challenge Silva for the title.
UFC 108 is actually a good thing for Hendo, coz he may not have 45% winning chance if rematch against Silva now.
But Hendo will be hack of top player in LH division as he himself once said:”I’ll move up if I don’t get title shot”. His skill set and KO power measures up any LH guy. I won’t be surprised if he picks one in LH and observes UFC 108 result then come back challenge Silva for the title.
Lisa,
Hi how are things, hopefully well… You have in moderation a comment with a different name other than Lisa and it is a name that is underlined by this: “acknowledgefactsoutweighsbeingpolitical-correctness” which is awesome but I’m not going to “ok” that comment because well I view it as a little trollish and also an attempted jab at the other moderator Justin… so please if you would like to continue to post here at the FrenZy don’t continue to do such things as this and your stay might be a little better thank you
i hope that weight isnt an issue for Vitor like it was at 195. this should be Anderson’s toughest test in the octagon. that would be horrible if Vitor didnt make weight and then actually won the fight. cant “weight” to see this one
I don’t think Vitor took the “cut” to 195 seriously, if he cut at all prior to weigh-ins.
Ya that was easily the smallest and un-muscular ive ever seen Vitor. Comparing him to the guy that fought Randy in their first fight ints pretty crazy.
I dont know about all of yall but I still want 1 or those 3 fights to be against GSP. C’mon who else is out there to fight GSP. I wanna see if he can impose his takedowns and GnP on Silva.
+1
Actually, my first thought here is that the next person Hendo should pop in the chops upon returning to the UFC is neither Marquardt or Anderson Silva, but rather his boss Dana White, for lying to him about a title shot.
That is, if Hendo still signs his contract tender.
I’m thinking he will, but honestly it would serve White right if Strikeforce found itself presenting a 185 championship between Hendo and their boy Mousasi.
Honestly I find it ridiculous that Dana White promised 2 different men a title shot, and then handed it to a third who’s been with the promotion less than 90 days or so.
Thats not to say that Belfort isn’t a terror at 185, or 195 as his last fight proved, but honestly he hasn’t won a single fight in the UFC at the weight he’s going to be getting a title fight in, which is laughable on more levels than I can count.
Thats assuming Belfort can make 185.
Also, this paints a pretty clear picture of how little control Dana White has over his 185 champion, how little his word means in terms of “promised” title shots to contenders, and how lightly he regards Nate Marquardt.
I’m sure that behind the scenes Dana will kiss Hendo’s a$$ in a lame attempt to make things right, probably with some sort of fight with title implications at 205, and a big fat “undisclosed” check, but what about Marquardt, who dispatched Demiam Maia pretty handily?
I’m guessing Dana feels that Nate ain’t quite so great, and maybe if he’s very lucky, Dana will throw him a bone and give him a fight with the winner of Silva-Belfort, neither of which he is likely to beat.
I guess the best way I can explain this is that this situation makes me feel like I need a shower, and a good kick in my a$$ for buying into Dana White’s bullsh!t rap about “the winner of Hendo-Bisping gets a title shot”, and “the winner of Maia-Marquardt gets a title shot”.
I always knew that Dana White was a lot of things, both good and bad, but being a flat out liar wasn’t one of them.
Until today…
Mousasi is at 205.
Without reviewing the tape, I will just throw it out there that Dana was probably savvy enough to through a “probably” or “likely” in those alleged title shot promises. Though even with that, it’s shady, and I don’t like it.
I’m usually one of the first to defend Dana, and regardless of deserving it, I’m excited for Belfort to face Silva, but I think Hendo should have been the next man to get a shot, since Dana didn’t say “If Bisping beats Henderson, then he’ll get a shot at the middleweight belt, possibly in England.” He said “whoever wins between Bisping and Henderson…”
Thanks for the correction, Justin.
When I make typos like that, you should just go ahead and edit them for correctness with a big red Sharpie.
And yeah, I often go back and forth between defending Dana White and demonizing him, but something about this deal with Hendo-Marquardt-Silva is seriously out of bounds, even for him.
Thats not to say that Belfort-Silva won’t be a great fight, or that I’m not glad to see Belfort back in the UFC and getting a championship opportunity, I’m just saying that said opportunity shouldn’t have come at the expense of Hendo and Nate Marqaurdt…
I feel Nate could beat either silva or belfort.. nate looks really good right now coming in with a lot of confidence.. i wouldn’t want to fight him right now either..
I also think Hendo is being too cocky. Why doesn’t he just take the fights that Dana gives him. I get it, he’s old and doesn’t want to suffer a loss that will set him back to square one but still none of the fights than could potentially happen for him are boring ones i.e Nate, Okami, Maia, Silva, Belfort
I think he should just fight, I don’t want to see a 40 something year old champion.
So if Hendo was to beat Silva, you wouldn’t want to see it because he is 40-something? Did you actually just say that?
yoyoma (Quote)
I don’t want to see a 40 something year old champion
What’s your opinion on Couture then??? lol
I think Hendo just got robbed. Vitor came to the UFC with two knockouts over lesser oponnents than Hendo and Nate, and his last loss was to Hendo. This makes no sense at all, other than to give the public a fight that has yet to be repeated. I don’t see Belfort bringing it to Anderson at all. I will personally be routing for Vitor, but officially declare shananagins as in June Dana announced the winnder of Hendo vs. Bisping to get a title shot in hopes of Silva vs. Bisping for 105.
I absolutely love MMA and the UFC is the running face of the sport right now. At this point they have two major flaws IMO. One, being contenders are based on profitability, not rankings, and two, too many events with last minute headliners. If this sport wants to make the next move, Zuffa seriously needs and realistic ranking system. They compare themselves to the NFL, NHL, NBA (so on, so forth) of the sport, yet the difference between all of the organizations is a ranking system, BASED on performance.
Maybe they know that I will watch the fights regarless of whether they have a ranking system or not, but still… If the goal is to globalize the sport and to make it the largest sport in the world, these flaws need to be un-kinked asap.
IMO
ps. Not checking for spelling errors just in case I made them. This is a pure rant!
The largest issue I have with your comparision and ranking system rant is that if the world series was set and then, Bam, all of the Phillies were injured, Oh that’s right, those are team sports, in which one person getting hurt doesn’t mean game over. So I guess your argument is that Zufa needs to stop signing people that can/do get hurt. Ummm, ok.
What does an injury have to do with anything I stated? I think you’re getting confused with my last minute headliner comment, which is totally based on overbooking events, not someone getting injured. An injury is out of anyone’s control and I don’t see where you are going with that. If you don’t think a proper ranking system is a must, that is your opinion which clearly defers from mine, period.
I think the injury comment comes from some people having a tendency to complain when fighters get injured and they blame it on the UFC for having the fighters pull out of the fight. I think we’ve gotten rid of most of those people around here, though.
I may have jumped to the conclusion that you were getting at what Justin stated about people complaining when there are injuries. If so, sorry.
And on another subject, you almost sound like Vitor doesn’t deserve a title shot. let’s think about this. Dana loves A. Silva, he wants him to continue fighting and Silva doesn’t want to fight people he has previously defeated. Vitor made Franklin look very bad, and he has won his last 5 fights or something like that. There really isn’t any other choice. I think there must be a union in the UFC (that Nate and Hendo aren’t in) and Silva ’s the president picking his fights, but whatever. Also, remember SIlva was 3-2 in his last 5 fights before the octagon, then he beat Chris Leben and got a title shot. Maybe A. Silva has some dirt on Dana’ business deals. Blackmailed him.
Just to be clear, it’s Nate Marquardt who come sout the big loser here.
He was promised a title shot after impressivly beating top 185 contender Demian Maia, and got put on the shelf in favor of Hendo.
Hendo in turn got put on the same shelf with Nate when Anderson Silva sent Ed Soares to tell the media that he’ll basically fight whoever the fu<k he wants to, and if Dana or anyone else doesn't like it they can jet down to Brazil and kiss his championship a$$.
Thats not what was said, by the way, but thats what SOME of us HEARD, and most likely what the Spider MEANT IMO.
Regardless, Hendo will almost certainly get this Dana co<k-slap made up to him in his ongoing contract negotiations. If not, he'll be fighting elsewhere, probably the Strikeforce Alliance, and the UFC will just keep on keeping on at the top of the MMA food chain.
Marquardt seriously needs to sit down with his people and map out some sort of career path. He's been essentially blown off by the promoter, and trivilaized in the MMA media by bigger names like Hendo, Belfort, and of course the champ Silva.
My sympathies to Nate Marquardt, who is basically being punished for doing his job and winning tough fights…
IMO i dont think that Anderson would go to another org. Not becuz of any loyalty, just becuz there isnt any competition anywhere else. If he leaves the UFC it’s becuz he’s leavin MMA, IMHO.
He’s not talking about Anderson going somewhere else, he’s talking about Henderson going somewhere else.
I think its possible that Anderson Silva could show up in the Strikeforce Alliance for some sort of farewell-to-MMA match against Fedor, assuming Fedor is still Fedor when Silva’s UFC contract expires.
Also, it wasn’t Silva I referenced fighting elsewhere, but Hendo.
While I think its unlikely that Hendo will leave the UFC, it is a possibility. I know I would be pretty upset if my promised title shot was handed to a promotion newcomer who I’d already beaten.
Scott Coker is quietly putting together a small but interesting UFC alternative with his MMA “coat of many colors”, especially for the right sort of talent, and its entirely reasonable to assume that if Dana has p!ssed off Hendo so much with this title shot swerve thing, we could see Hendo facing off against Mousasi at 205, or even against the Shields-Mayhem winner at 185.
Finally, its not like M-1 Global isn’t enamored of undersized opponents for Fedor. If the check is large enough, I can see a disenfranchised-by-the-UFC Hendo taking a big money fight with Fedor.
He is, after all, a Cold War guy and Team Quest’er like Couture and Lindland, and at some level facing an Russian counterpart is appealing.
Again, I see this outcome as pretty unlikely, and I expect Hendo to be signed sometime after the Rua-Machida mess is sorted, but the possibility exists that Hendo could walk, or that at near 40 Hendo is more trouble to Dana White than he’s worth…
Silva’s contract will only “expire” if he loses the belt, in which case him vs. Fedor will have much less appeal.
jcohl
I have to say nothing makes my head want to explode more then when I hear someone say Bisping is a top contender. I mean he crushed a few cans so what..and a bigger name then Marquardt my a$$ {thats tuf popularity not respect from fighters}..so you mean if I beat Charles McCarthy and Jason Day and out box Chris Leben I can be a coach on TUF??
Or lets look at him at Light Heavy Weight beat Josh Haynes / Eric Schafer / Elvis Sinosic / Matt Hamill {lol BS}
His most impressive preformance was against Rashad Evans which was a loss. I mean come on.
Where did he say Bisping was a top contender?
Honestly, ufcmanz, I’m not sure what you’re going on about.
I never once mentioned Michael Bisping in my post.
If you are obtusely referring to Hendo’s promised title shot he earned by defeating Bisping, I agree that Bisping was not a top 185er, but that isn’t my call.
Its Dana White’s.
White said the winner of the TUF 9 coach match-up gets a shot at the 185 belt.
Period.
Hendo KTFO’ed Bisping.
End of story.
Which part of that situation is jamming you up?
Also, bear in mind that Hendo’s promised title shot is being handed to a promotion newcomer, or returning alum if you prefer, that HE BEAT in Vegas a few years back.
I should know, I was there with a Team Quest shirt on and raging drunk.
Finally, regardless of how much personal respect I have for Vitor Belfort for both his skill in the cage and the adversity he’s overcome outside of it, he’s NEVER FACED A SINGLE 185er IN THE UFC.
Even fast-tracked champions like Anderson Silva [Chris Leben] and Brock Lesnar [Frank Mir] had fights within the weightclass that they were pursuing titles in.
Think about it…
See thats the thing Justin ,Jcohl didn’t say it by bad I really didn’t explain myself every good that time to where I was going with it, I was just making a comment to Jcohl, to how the media portrays him and how the average fan gets popularity confused with title contension..
{not calling jcohl a casual fans just making a statement, if your ever in a bar and you hear some of the stuff based on popularity you know what I’m talkin about}
Jcohl(Quote) Which I second and also think is true
Marquardt seriously needs to sit down with his people and map out some sort of career path. He’s been essentially blown off by the promoter, and trivilaized in the MMA media by bigger names like Hendo, “Belfort”, and of course the champ Silva.
It was just a genernal statement of a casual fans thinking Bisping is up on the same level with Marquardt based on popularity and media and not so much on his fighting record, that right there is why I feel like exploding sometimes {BANG} {BANG} lol
Got it.
No worries, ufcmanz.
I totally feel you on the whole Bisping thing.
And its true that outside-the-Octagon popularity is getting blurred with inside-the-Ocatgon performance.
I’m not sure what the solution is there, either.
The sport needs marketable names and faces in order to continue growing and making deeper and deeper in-roads into the North American and UK mainstream, but at the same time no one wants to see the integrity of the sport called into question by seeing a less-capable but more popular fighter [Such as Michael Bisping] being more heavily promoted that a more-capable but less popular one [Nate Marquardt]…
Man this is getting old about all this Hendo/Marquardt getting robbed. Dana should obviously have not promised both guys a shot at the same time. If Hendo would stop being a girl and just except the fight and get it over with this would all go away. He’s probably worried about getting BEAT like he WILL if they fight. Nate ain’t scared I wish he wasn’t.
Whats getting old is people not holding someone to account for their actions, both in society in general and in MMA in particular.
Hendo strikes me as a man given more to action than words. I’m not sure it’s “being a girl”, whatever thats supposed to mean, to expect someone to keep his word to you, especially in business.
You also might want to show a 2 time Olympian and 2 weightclass MMA champion a little more respect, as opposed to indicating that he’s somehow “scared” of a man [Marquardt] that hasn’t accomplished as much in sport/competition as Hendo has..
Also, we’re getting into an area here of positive reinforcement for negative behavior.
Dana White swerved Hendo and Marquardt.
Period.
He quite honestly doesn’t deserve to be “rewarded” for that by not only getting away with blatantly lying to not one but two 185 contenders, but by getting them to fight each other in the process.
Lets leave off the nonsensical, “get over it” mentality of the late 90’s, and lets start asking people to be true to their word, and make good on their promises…
As a gerenal tho I understand what Dana has done ,yet I agree with some of it and not so must with other point’s of it..
Henderson Vs. Bisping was “winner gets a title shot”,and Common sense Henderson Won ,Henderson gets a title shot.
Marquardt Vs. Maia was also addvertized as “winner gets a title shot” so Common sense Marquardt gets a title shot.
I didn’t like this at all because both promised a title shot and both have about the same right to a title shot {good records to back it up}
So the UFC / Anderson thinks well they both lost to Anderson in a finish and both had early suce why no put them together and make it a clear cut number 1 contender { makes sense }
Well both Henderson / Marquardt fights it out { in comes Vitor who has looked revived/ on a tear of late and he comes in and KO’s a guy who has only ever been finished by The Middle weight Champ and the Light Heavy weight Champ } so we’ll put him up against Anderson while Henderson / Marquardt faces off {makes sense}
I can see how both can feel cheated and it wasn’t right to say it and not mean it, but I mean from a another stand point here which of these looks more impressive
Vitor Belfort (5-0..last 5)
Ivan Serati- TKO
James Zikic- Unamious decision
Terry Martin- KO
Matt Lindland- KO
Rich Franklin- KO
Dan Henderson (3-0..last 3)
Rousimar Palhares- Unamious decision
Rich Franklin- Split Decision
Michael Bisping- KO
Nate Marquardt (3-0..last 3)
Martin Kampmann- TKO
Wilson Gouveia- TKO
Demian Maia- KO
The UFC is kind of in a frenzy looking for interesting fights for Anderson and the fans.. They’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off .. tryin to make something happen at the Middle weight division to keep people interested. Is that a reason for false advertizing no.. but I mean its not like Marquardt or Henderson isn’t getting a title shot ,they just have to get past each other for it.
General statement**** =P wow I’m missing typing alot today
It should be Marquardt vs. Belfort! ‘Nuff siad!
Jcohl,
I understand all that but, wouldn’t this be avoided by Dan just excepting the fight? Dana as you have seen in the last two years or so has not had the “most deserving” fighter fight when they deserved it right? What makes Hendo any different from other guys that have got robbed in their quest for the belt?
Yes, Henderson deserved a shot ONLY because Dana promised him one Imo. Then again so did Nate.
I have to know, what possible motivation is there for Hendo to accept a non-title fight when he has a title fight coming to him?
And what application of logic are you using to come to the conclusion that Hendo should “just except the fight”, when Anderson Silva CLEARLY did not accept fights with either of the men his boss promised title shots to, and in the process made his boss look like an a$$hole in front of the entire MMA community?
Also, in a business like this, Dana White needs to be as good as his word.
Right now, he not only looks like a used car salesman in terms of integrity, but he looks like he’s not in charge of one of his champions in Anderson Silva.
And bear in mind that without Dana White maybe 1 North American MMA fan in 50 would even know who Anderson Silva is?
White honestly is coming off poorly here, and on some level he has to know it.
Also, as far as I know, the only other men to get “swerved” by Dana White in terms of verbally promised title bouts aside from Hendo were Pat Miletich [which he details in the book Blood in the Cage] and Nate Marquardt.
And NONE of these men deserved what happened to them.
There are also some rumors here and their about Randy Couture not getting a promised title shot, but in all honestly a man that has achieved his level of success can’t really complain.
I realize that nowadays almost everything is so transient that asking a man to keep his word is almost quaint, or old fashioned and out of touch in some way.
Maybe I’m just behind the times, but when a man goes on record, I take him at his word until such time as he’s proved untrustworthy.
From here on in, every single UFC fighter and fan should be VERY skeptical if and when Dana White promises a particular fighter a title shot IF they win their next fight…
What was the race thing about??? Was it saying that Brazilians are better fighters than White Americans……
That is just wrong and terrible to say
lol yes wrong and terrible
I’m a little off topic again but I’m tryin to register a account on the forums but the page cann’t be found so does anyone know why???
Register here: http://mmafrenzy.com/wp-signup.php
Same login is used throughout the site. I’ll look into the bad link on the forums, but the one above will get you signed up.
Hendo doesn’t deserve another title shot atm. Maybe Nate does. But the fault lies with Dana for making dumb promises.
2 things
1. Vitor has some fast ass hands and well everyone knows about BJJ that he never uses but i just dont see him beating Silva. I mean its Silva who has incredible head movement and just great accuracy…So i got Silva by 1st Round KO which is goin to start with Belfort rushing in.
2. Hendo n’ Nate got robbed. I kinda understand where Dana is coming from with his whole “They got beat already…and i think Belfort is ready” and all that but they should be pissed, but Nate vs Hendo should be a nice match and i would see Nate “The Great” picking up the victory and actually defeating the winner of Silva/Belfort and then hopefully well see the Era of The Great.
Although I agree that Silva will win,I don’t know if we’ll see Vitor rushing in now that he has adopted his Machida-esque karate stance.
Why don’t we wait and see what happens. I don’t believe any of this is finilized.
Looks like Joe Silva now goes by the name Anderson SIlva.
Because henderson was clearly promised a title shot, it should have been
Belfort vs Marquardt if anything. This fight has now somewhat forced a Nate vs Hendo match but I hella doubt that will happen. Why would hendo or nate take a non title match? THey both deserve it and deserve it more than vitor. But like so many discussions before, not everyone who deserves a shot gets one. But what makes this situation special is the fact that the boss PROMISED fighters shot and is now going back on his word. ALSO, it appears as though the current Middle Weight champ is booking fights and is telling his boss what to do and what not to do. He’s basically choosing what time he clocks in, what his duties will be for the day and when or if he’ll show up to work.
I like Vitor and if he fights smart, he could pull this one off. I also have to state for those of you who didn’t hear his post fight interview in the octagon with Rogan, and i quote “I like anderson silva. He’s my friend and i have great respect for him. But i’m a fighter and an employee and if the boss says we have to fight then it’s time to fight”. I ****ing love that attitude dude! I love it!
Hope this whole Henderson, Nate, Vitor vs Anderson situation somehow ends up playing out in an awesome way where we get some kool fights.
In a different situation i would have loved a Nate vs Hendo match, but if it happened and we saw it, it would be a little wierd and one of those where you would want any fighter to win or lose because either outcome would feel right.
*wouldnt
that is so head on to what is the situation in the MW Division.
IMO Anderson isnt even a fighter anymore or the champion hes the one running the UFC in the MW Division…and DW for some reason is sitting there with his tail between his legs letting this go on…one of the Zuffa members needs to step and say “Hey! we run the show here…we decide who fights who and if we say anderson vs hendo then its anderson vs hendo” but like somewere along my imagination i go back to reality and start to realize that isnt gonna happen
I see this fight being extremely exciting. Vitor is actually going to hit silva…in his face! omg,that hasnt happened in a while. Despite the milestone, Silva still wins this fight. his counter striking style again fits perfectly with his opponent. Vitor is fast, but Silva matches his speed. Look for a 2nd round TKO…Silva ftw
I thought Hendo was next in line for Silva? He looked really good against Bisbing and we already know he can get Silva to the ground, which seems to be the only place anyone will be able to beat Anderson. Anderson’s ground skills are solid, but not THAT great. Travis Lutter mounted him, after all. Belfort will lose. The should have given him another fight first. Marquart would have been good.
I dont think it actually matters who deserves a title shot or not and its funny that people try to tell what Dana White should do or not. Its his business and he’ll do whatever the hell he wants. Whatever he does doesn’t matter because you’re going to watch it anyways right? He can put some nobody, Joe Blow from the crowd to have a title shot against Machida and you’ll still watch or pay to watch it. Please don’t pretend you work for UFC and know the inside scoop and politics. Just watch the dam fights and comment on the fighters.
Everyone said that Lesnar didn’t deserve the title shot and now he’s the champion.
Everyone said Shogun didn’t deserve the title shot yet he lasted longer than anyone else did and came very close to winning against the Karate poster boy, Machida.
Vitor Belfort deserves it just as much. Its about dam time we see these two Brazilian top dawgs cross paths. It will be an exciting fight regardless