Anderson Silva: Its Lyoto’s Belt
It turns out that, contrary to popular belief, Anderson “The Spider†Silva has absolutely no desire to hang around the 205 pound weight class, and will likely be one and done with the light heavyweight division after his Ultimate Fight Night 14 bout with James Irvin on July 19th.
From Tatame (translated by Fightline.com):
“I don’t have intention to fight on this category and I’m only doing this because they (UFC) asked me and I think I can do it. I don’t intend to fight for this belt, this belt belongs to Lyoto (Machida) and he already proved that. I’m going to fight because I like to fight and because I like challenges.â€
Silva also spoke on a likely future match up with middleweight contender Yushin Okami:
“I will not confirm that, but I believe it is possible. He won all the fights he did so far and has earned the right to fight. We are still seeing what is it gonna be. I don’t know how the fight would be, its hard to tell. Its a hard fight, he is very versatile athlete, has many technical qualities and I think it would be a good fight, I would like it a lot.â€
Personally, I couldn’t be happier to hear that Silva wishes to remain at 185 pounds. Why risk defeat elsewhere when you can cement a legacy in your own home? Perhaps my tune will change if Anderson picks apart James Irvin with extreme prejudice on the 19th, but I don’t see that happening.
Tags: Anderson Silva
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im glad hes gonna stay at 185 but the truth is it aint lyotos belt.i guess there better friends then i thought cuz thats the only way he would say somthing like that
ya, i don’t dislike lyoto, and i know his overall mma record is great, but as for ufc, he’s beaten a less than impressive sokadju (sp?) and a has been ortiz that had one foot out the door. in a division as stacked as 205, i fail to see how he’s proven that it’s his belt. in my opinion he needs to win at least one more fight against a top notch opponent AND some stuff needs to happen with other fighters where they get knocked down a peg. i expect some will disagree and point out that rampage got a quick shot, but that’s cuz he had drawing power. it’s not just about records, it’s also about putting together fights people wanna see. i can’t picture griffen vs machida selling anything. maybe machida vs wandy, or rampage, or some of the others but against griffen it would basically be a boring boxing match.
2girls2cups,
I think you hit the nail on the head. Griffin/Machida would probably be quite boring.
That collective sigh of relief you here is most of the so-called contenders at 205. Anderson Silva is a beast. “If it were about size the elephant would be king of the jungle.”
I may not have quite the knowledge of some in the world of MMA, but I have never seen a athlete in any sport compete like Silva. I am most impressed with his ability to stay within his plan and he always seems to be in control even when it seems he isn’t.
I would have loved to see him fight Chuck. Also Ace is probably thinking “Am I not safe in any didvison”. Sleep easy rich….☻☻☻☻☻
2girlsonecup,
I agree. Last I heard Machida was next in line for a title shot but I wish he had to fight Rampage or Wandy like you said. I get a terrible feeling if/when Machida gets the belt we will be seeing many Sylvia like title fights…..slow and clinchy…..just a better because it’s Machida who I actually like. It was nice to see him frustrate Tito into tears.
Silva only feels this way now. I would be disappointed if this were his only fight at LHW. This makes his debut at LHW pointless with the exception to the punching Affliction in the nuts effect. I was hoping to see Silva fight other LHWs so I hope he has a change of heart or Dana “MAKES” him fight at LHW again.
I’m gald that Anderson is going to stay at 185. I would also like to see him get a rematch with Okami at 185 right after this fight with Irvin – win or lose. Hopefuly just hopefuly things will work out that he and GSP can end up fighting each other some time down the line.
At the sametime though, I really doubt this will be his LAST fight at 205. I think he would definitely come back up to 205 for a fight with Liddel. I’m sure that is a fight that Dana would love to make at some point. I just think that Silva wanted it to be known that he wasn’t going to step in the way of his friend and training partner Machida’s way of possibly becoming the next Champ at 205.
Honestly, I think Machida deserves the next shot, but I do agree with the rest of you that he isn’t as exciting of a fighter as should be therefore making his drawing power not so great. With that said, I don’t think that Dana and the UFC will determine the next challenger for the 205 title until after they see what happens between Liddell and Evans. I guess is, that if Liddell wins that fight, he gets the next title shot – hands down! Griffin-Liddel is an EASY sell.
Jai,
Griffin/Liddell would be great. TUF 1 winner vs his TUF 1 coach. That would be the coolest thing since midgets and dwarf boxing. There couldn’t be a better story for a fight. Like I said though, I am almost positive I read somewhere Machida gets the next shot. I hope I am wrong.
I really have to agree $ick$. My personal favorite fights for Anderson would have to be Wanderlei / Rampage / Liddell / Lyoto / Shogun / and Griffin cause he has the belt. If Silva truly whats a challenge then this is where he’ll find it. Silva in the Middle Weight Division will be most of the guys 9 out of 10 times, but at the top level of the Light Heavy Weight Division he’s 50/50 with all those guys…The only guy below the 205 weight class that interests me. To fight Silva is GSP.. 2 freaks in there weight classes
Ok, so wait, first of all why would Dana ask him to fight one fight at LH? Is it just one fight or are they making him fight more?
Second, does he not want to fight at LH because Machida is a friend? I heard the two are training together, but is that a reason for him not to dominate another division?
Lastly, I have to agree with the lot of you, it is definitely not Machida’s belt. He needs to go thru Wandy, Chuck, or Ramapage (all of whom he could easily lose to).
I don’t understand why everyone says Lyoto is so “boring.” To me he is one of THE most exciting fighters to watch. Constantly out thinking and frustrating his opponent. This guy THREW Tito Ortiz and Sokoudjou. He messed up Stephan Bonner’s face in the 1st round. He knocked out Rich FRanklin. You people are insane.
I still say he jumps to 205 if Dana shuts down 185 in the WEC as he is Filho’s friend, provided Filho breaks that arm (Sonnen’s ) when he gets a hold of it.
yes he has done all these things but the ortiz fight was boring the sokoudjou fight was a glimmer of hope that was snuffed out by his next preformance everything else is boring every fight is a decision (cept sokoudjou) and i dont mind when a fight goes to decision but i want action during the fight not pot shot and back pedal pot shot and back pedal he lives his life like a samurai… uh no samurai dont back pedal they charge forward as for the bonner and franklin fights didnt happen in the ufc his ufc preformances have all been subpair ill even go so far to say that the pot shot back pedal fight style he employs is just as bad if not worse then the lay and pray style of fighting
that is interesting considering that if he destroys irvin he will return at 205 because i am sure the ufc will ask him again
I think Griffin vs. Machida would be quite entertaining. We wouldn’t be able to figure out who is running from who.
mmascoop.com is saying A. Silva’s manager confirmed the Okami fight, possibly for September. And…
Henry,
When have you ever seen Griffin run?
i dont know why everyone complains about machida he is so spectacular with his foot work and arm movements its insane…..the belt will soon be his……also i hate how everyone says lyoto hasnt beatin enough people for a title shot…yet liddell can beat wanderlai coming off 3 loses and if he beats a very boring rashad he gets a title shot that is so much bull crap…it shouldnt matter if your marketable or not it matters who is a real mma fighter and who deserves it….and lyoto is actually training in a mixed assortment of martial arts unlike most people…karate…muay thai….jui jitsu….boxing…wrestling….LYOTO MACHIDA is the meaning of MMA and also i add James Irvin to the list he is also the meaning of mma….he was tooling thiago till he got injured and he would destroy him in a rematch!
I think that Lyoto should fight Wanderlei or Rampage, then the winner of that fights winner of Rashad/Chuck for the next title shot
Machida might not beat liddell or forrest if those same judges that scored forrest/rampage are working. Anymore fixed fights and I’m gonna stop watching UFC.
Fixed- bisping/hamill
griffen/rampage
lesnar/mir
Liddell TKO’ed Tito twice!! What did lyoto do? Run around like a fairy for 3 rounds and almost got caught in a sub. Mr. decision man should go fight in karate matches.
Well call me crazy but i think bj penn is the best fighter in the world and after he beats gsp any one who says different will be kidding themselves.silva is great but i dont think he can compete in the heavier wieght class.for all of you who says that populaity dont matter then you dont care about what the fighters make cuz thats how they make what they make.i dont hate lyoto but hes tylenol pms for me.i dont agree with chuck and forrest getting quick title shots if chuck beats evens, its bull crap but its all about who dana likes and dont like.
BJ PENN is also my p4p best fighter in the world guy is an animal, on to the story a-silva has only said that because him an machida train together, i dont think he gets the next shot look at john fitch didn’t he have to win 7/8 to get a shot? until machida beats liddell,rampage,wandi he gets nothing.
i also agree with KOuch liddell an forrest will be the best, teacher vs student. i think if that match happens it will break all ufc records with viewers and attendence dana would have the biggest smile in america
Liddell v Machida for the no1 contender spot seems fair
I still see this fight as a lose lose situation for Silva. If he wins…so what, but if he loses that is a big deal even if it is at 205.
This is the same thing that Pride did with Wand minus the title shot…. Let’s just hope that Irvin don’t step up like Dan Henderson did.
Your on the money Curtis, what a pointless fight this will be for Anderson next weekend. He has absolutely nothing to gain but a great deal to lose.
It is for this reason that I believe he will lose, which will make Dana’s decision to risk his best fighters credibility as p4p champion just because another organisation are staging a show look that much more ridiculous.
I agree, unecessary risk……….
Dana thinks hes in vegas playing blackjack or what ????
can’t handle the truth “vera”
why would you even say lesner/mir was a fixed fight….that was a perfectly fair fight and it didnt even go to a decision but anyways ya
NA-MMA i agree with you tHATS HOW IT SHOULD GO DOWN!
yeah it’s pretty safe to say that this fight has made more people scratch their heads than when Bush got elected to a second term. If Irvin beats Silva, where does Dana put the Sandman in the stacked light-heavyweight division? Does it matter? bah this **** is weak. I would have liked to see Wandi and Sandman fight. That makes sense and it would probably be one of the more entertaining fights in the LH division. Not that this is any less entertaining, it just doesn’t make any sense.
IVE BEEN SAYING THAT FROM THE BEGGING THERE IS NOTHING IN THE FIGHT FOR SILVA. IF HE LOSES IT PROVES HES NOT THE BEST P4P… AND WHEN I WAS SAYING THAT WHEN THEY FIRST ANNOUNCED IT EVERYONE WAS DISAGREEING WITH ME
What are the chances that Wandi could drop down to face Silva? didn’t he used to fight at 185?
NOW THATS THE MOVE I WANNA SEE
machida deserves a shot. gsp or cung le vs silva would be amazing. griffen vs liddell i would not watch for free.
First, the Irvin/Silva fight is a Dana White puppet show production. Contrary to some commentators on here, Irvin will get smoked by Silva–Irvin is an average fighter at best. Silva was due for a fight, but there’s no contender in middleweight (arguably Okami). Mark my words: this will be Silva’s only LHW fight.
I don’t think Machida has proven himself enough yet for a title shot. He’s looked good, but give him a top 5 tier fighter (Lidell, Silva, Rampage, Hendo?, Shogun) and let’s see what happens. I like the guy, but he needs more seasoning. There’s also some controversy about his “elusiveness” and I think Griffin (maybe posted on mmafrenzy) was even quoted as saying he did not want to fight Machida. Fighters may be less willing to lose a 3-5 round decision to the guy.
I think Forrest gets Machida in a gimme fight title defense and I think he KO’s him. And that solves 30% of the problems for this website…:)
I AGREE!!
Dietrich,
I would love for that to happen but Forrest doesn’t really have great KO power and it’s even harder to KO someone who is always running away.
Neither fighter has great power. Machida will be Vernon white to Forrest’s Chuck Liddell.
gunslinger
first of all dig the name big fan of steven kings the dark tower 2nd of all that lesner fight definatly had the stench of an elite xc ref job i wonder how much steve mazzagotti got from frank mir for his assistance
2nd idk y anyones talkin bout machida for a title yes hes like 13-0 or something but not impressive in the ufc doesnt deserve a shot and theres no getting around that going to decision wit Kaz “i love pot brownies” nakamura is not impressive going to a decision wit tito ortiz where u only land 1 signifagent shot is not impressive u get a shot at a title when u not only win but u do it impressivly case in point anderson silva got a shot afta one fight cuz his 1st fight was exciting rampage got one afta his first fight cuz he won and in impressive fashion lyoto is a great technical fighter but hes so boring to watch watching him fight is like gettin teeth pulled
As far as great screen names huertarogerhuerta equals the coolness of Bond…James Bond
What I see happening is Randy calls up Ken Hahn at Striking Unlimited to prepare a gameplan for training the standup portion of a Machida fight as he has a special skill set to emulate The Dragon. A good study would be the KO power of
Extreme Couture fighters under Ron Frazier. That maybe a reason why Forrest had a new boxing coach.
thats wat i was goin for cuz huerta is the spanish james bond thank u for getting it Dietrich but if forrest hasta fight lyoto his punchin power will b for not when machida is runnin away u cant plant ur feet and bang out when ur constintly chasing the guy
i think the mir- brock fight could be the worst reffing ive ever seen next to the seahawk/steeler superbowl.now brock has to fight the crazy horse,wow.wecome to the ufc
If anyone took over for Daniel Craig it would have to be Roger Huerta…
Here is the speculation of the day the product of pure boredom…
First things first I believe Machida gets the shot because he did Dana a favor by fighting a boring fight with Tito. I am not saying it was predetermined or that he had to try all that hard but I think he was told to do enough to grind it out because Dana did not want Tito going out on a high note. He wanted a boring fight because it hurt Tito’s marketability worse than a win or a loss. Case in point the press conference after the fights.He didn’t want to give him any forum at all.Now he is going to go to Forrest and say how about an easy defense now and a big fight say Superbowl weekend. You can handle Machida he’s boring and you can play with him a little and do what you do best to remake your name with the world.And of course Forrest takes the fight because 1 Its more money and 2 Machida looks to be the easiest title defense on the horizon.
Liddell Tough Ko Power
Rua wants revenge
Silva tough
Evans a bluecollar fighter with KO power
Jardine whipped him
Jackson brutal and focused
Now if he gets the fight Machida is going to look at Forrest and think I am a little stronger than this guy. Rampage didn’t train like he should because he was worried about that movie role. I don’t have to do that. I can get in there and shove him a round and set him up for whatever Shotokan style backfist or a Muay thai round kick followed by my BJJ which is stronger than Forrest’s hybrid ground skills. and this is where he makes a mistake because outside of the one wrong move he won’t get Forrest. The reason is
Forrest’s base knowledge with the Singer brothers(FJKD) helps him to get the spots he needs to present all kinds of trouble to a classicly trained unorthodox fighter like Machida. THe Karate slows him down. Forrest know how to transition in the ranges and he will understand the footwork better than anyone Machida has ever faced. Someone like Ken Hahn from Striking Unlimited will emulate the majority of any standing move Machida will try to Shonie Carter him with. And should it go to the tie up Randy,Scott Bieri, Robert Drysdale and the rest of the Extreme Couture ground guys will have their fusion of Greco and BJJ ready to dominate from the clinch to the submission. It will be a highlight reel fight for Forrest to further sell the money fight on 12/31 or Superbowl weekend. Just my opinion.
Can we please get past the “GSP vs. Silva” speculation? If Silva is not going to hang around in the 205 division, he sure as hell isn’t going to cut weight down to compete in the 170 division. Remember, in order for him to fight GSP, he has to wade through the who’s who of 170. Regardless of who he is, he is not going to just automatically get a title shot. He will have to earn the shot like everybody else.
Sounds like Machida gets Rua Wanderlei or Jardine in October. I wouldn’t think Forrest would have to defend so soon.
Kalib starnes thinks loyoto runs to much.
thats cold ….Funny but cold…
aznstar_inc, Kalib Starnes would kick your butt for saying that but, evidently, fighting scares him. Utter the word “Quarry” around him and he pees a little.