Anderson Silva: Royal douche?

[Cartesiantheater]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/377141-should-silva-be-stripped-of-the-middleweight-title

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52_NM1zrqng


Surely those of you interested in the sport have heard of the absolute ASS Silva made of himself. Fucking off in the ring, taunting, and basically making a mockery of the sport.


What should be done?

[GamerGal]

Nothing. If he is so much better then his competition why should he be blamed? If Ali danced around an opponent and taunted him it was part of being Ali. But Silva does it people flip out. Why? He was put in a match with a guy who probably couldn't hold Silva's jockstrap let alone fight him. So Silva humiliated the guy. Maybe next time find an opponent who could fight him and not be mocked?

[proffett]

Ego is a huge component to MMA but is frowned upon by true Martial Artists. It's sad that Silva is traveling down a road of self importance but that's how this sport seems to be heading. One should respect their opponent not mock them. But hey, it's entertainment right?

[Cartesiantheater]

Nothing. If he is so much better then his competition why should he be blamed? If Ali danced around an opponent and taunted him it was part of being Ali. But Silva does it people flip out. Why? He was put in a match with a guy who probably couldn't hold Silva's jockstrap let alone fight him. So Silva humiliated the guy. Maybe next time find an opponent who could fight him and not be mocked?

Well, the reason White is pissed is because the fight ended up having almost an entire round of the two fighters walking around, with Silva occasionally doing something smart assey (i.e. lost revenue from investors).

But for the rest of us, there is a difference between being COMPETITIVE, which is a good thing for sport martial arts, and DISRESPECT- particularly IN THE RING, which should not be tolerated.

[SuperDig]

Being a HUGE mma fan, I have pondered this subject a million times since I watched the PPV.

Just a little history lesson first .....

Silva joined the UFC in June 2006 with a 15-4 record. His last loss coming from Yushin Okami when he was disqualified for an illegal kick in January 2006. Since his debut, he has yet to even come close to losing a UFC fight. He holds UFC records such as most consecutive wins (9) and most title defenses (6). Silva had all but cleaned out the middleweight division and it seemed there was no one in the division that could stop him. Dana White then stated to the media that he had no choice but to move Silva up to the light heavyweight division.

His first light heavyweight fight was against James Irvin (14-5), and that fight lasted 1:01 in the first round with Irvin knocked out cold. Silva then went back to the middleweight division for 2 title defenses against the likes of Patrick Cote (13-5) and Thales Leites (14-2). Both of these title defenses started the issue of Silva not giving 100% and making a mockery of his opponents and the sport. It seemed Silva could have finished both Cote and Leites at will during the fight, but he danced around the ring and just dragged it out, but controlled the action and went on to be the dominant fighter in both contests; eventhough Cote had to quit during his match due to knee injury.

Needless to say, the media ripped the UFC, Dana White, and Anderson Silva for his conduct during both of these matches. Dana White then set up another light heavyweight bout for Silva against former light heavyweight champion and fan favorite, Forrest Griffin (16-6). Silva then became his former aggressive self and eliminated Griffin with a knockout at 3:23 in the first round. Silva completely dominated Griffin in this fight without taking any damage during the fight. See the video below on the bout with Griffin in it's entirety.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W33OueHbRzs&feature=related

After the Griffin bout, Silva needed to have surgery on his elbow that had been lingering for quite awhile. Eight months later, the fight with Maia went down, and in my opinion, the right move would have been to finish Maia as quickly as possible; however Silva did not see it that way obviously. Silva made a mockery of Maia, White, the fans, and of the sport as a whole. How does the UFC handle this situation? Here are couple scenarios I have come up with.

- Anderson Silva believes the UFC needs him more than he actually needs the UFC. Silva performed poorly because he was trying to prove a point to UFC management. Possibly Silva's ego is becoming far to large to handle. Dana White is obviously pissed off, and if you know Dana White, he holds nothing back with the media. Say Dana White fires Anderson Silva and Silva becomes a "Free Agent" so to speak. Well, he would probably sign with Strikeforce, which would put Dan Henderson, Fedor Emilianenko, and Anderson Silva under the same brand. Those three fighters alone are huge draws, but would that be enough to bury the UFC? Dana White knows that it would be a dangerous move from a business aspect. Does even Dana White have the stones to pull that one off? Is Anderson Silva, being the pound for pound best fighter in the world, bigger than the UFC?

- Anderson Silva has said on numerous occasions that he wanted to fight every champion at every weight class. Did he do this in order to further solidify that he is on a collision course to fight GSP at either welterweight or GSP move up to middleweight for a championship bout? After the Maia fight, Dana White said Silva did not deserve a shot against GSP. What do you do with a guy that has decimated every single fighter you have put in front of him? In my opinion, I honestly believe Silva would make GSP look amateur like so many other fighters he has faced. Due to the business aspect of this situation, does Dana White swallow his pride, and set up Silva versus St. Pierre for the welterweight title? Not only is this the fight everyone wants to see, but it would probably be the biggest money draw the UFC has ever seen. What would you do if you were Dana White in this situation?

Overall, I love watching Anderson Silva fight aggressively, and I do think in both of the scenarios I have listed it is Anderson Silva's ego that drives this entire mess. I do not agree with his conduct with myself being a hardcore mma fan, but I also believe Anderson Silva to be the baddest mo fo on the planet, when his ego doesn't get in the way. Hell, I would buy the PPV to see Silva beat GSP, but I also don't know which Anderson Silva would show up. Would it be Anderson Jekyll or Anderson Hyde? The respectful brazillian fighter that always has kind words, or the unchallenged middleweight champion whose ego gets in the way of his best interests?

Please let me know what you think!

[SuperDig]

Nothing. If he is so much better then his competition why should he be blamed? If Ali danced around an opponent and taunted him it was part of being Ali. But Silva does it people flip out. Why? He was put in a match with a guy who probably couldn't hold Silva's jockstrap let alone fight him. So Silva humiliated the guy. Maybe next time find an opponent who could fight him and not be mocked?

I tend to agree with you to an extent GG, but who the hell do you give Silva? Who in all of mma can beat Anderson Silva?

[SuperDig]

Ego is a huge component to MMA but is frowned upon by true Martial Artists. It's sad that Silva is traveling down a road of self importance but that's how this sport seems to be heading. One should respect their opponent not mock them. But hey, it's entertainment right?

Proff, I think you hit the nail on the head with this one ... it comes down to ego in this situation. As the mma gets bigger in the mainstream, the fighters are influenced by more than just being fighters. I am not quite sure what point Silva is trying to prove, but I would hope he just had a lapse in judgement, and mma fighters are not becoming like the stereotypical "Professional Athlete".

[Cartesiantheater]

Being a HUGE mma fan, I have pondered this subject a million times since I watched the PPV.

Just a little history lesson first .....

Silva joined the UFC in June 2006 with a 15-4 record. His last loss coming from Yushin Okami when he was disqualified for an illegal kick in January 2006. Since his debut, he has yet to even come close to losing a UFC fight. He holds UFC records such as most consecutive wins (9) and most title defenses (6). Silva had all but cleaned out the middleweight division and it seemed there was no one in the division that could stop him. Dana White then stated to the media that he had no choice but to move Silva up to the light heavyweight division.

His first light heavyweight fight was against James Irvin (14-5), and that fight lasted 1:01 in the first round with Irvin knocked out cold. Silva then went back to the middleweight division for 2 title defenses against the likes of Patrick Cote (13-5) and Thales Leites (14-2). Both of these title defenses started the issue of Silva not giving 100% and making a mockery of his opponents and the sport. It seemed Silva could have finished both Cote and Leites at will during the fight, but he danced around the ring and just dragged it out, but controlled the action and went on to be the dominant fighter in both contests; eventhough Cote had to quit during his match due to knee injury.

Needless to say, the media ripped the UFC, Dana White, and Anderson Silva for his conduct during both of these matches. Dana White then set up another light heavyweight bout for Silva against former light heavyweight champion and fan favorite, Forrest Griffin (16-6). Silva then became his former aggressive self and eliminated Griffin with a knockout at 3:23 in the first round. Silva completely dominated Griffin in this fight without taking any damage during the fight. See the video below on the bout with Griffin in it's entirety.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W33OueHbRzs&feature=related

After the Griffin bout, Silva needed to have surgery on his elbow that had been lingering for quite awhile. Eight months later, the fight with Maia went down, and in my opinion, the right move would have been to finish Maia as quickly as possible; however Silva did not see it that way obviously. Silva made a mockery of Maia, White, the fans, and of the sport as a whole. How does the UFC handle this situation? Here are couple scenarios I have come up with.

- Anderson Silva believes the UFC needs him more than he actually needs the UFC. Silva performed poorly because he was trying to prove a point to UFC management. Possibly Silva's ego is becoming far to large to handle. Dana White is obviously pissed off, and if you know Dana White, he holds nothing back with the media. Say Dana White fires Anderson Silva and Silva becomes a "Free Agent" so to speak. Well, he would probably sign with Strikeforce, which would put Dan Henderson, Fedor Emilianenko, and Anderson Silva under the same brand. Those three fighters alone are huge draws, but would that be enough to bury the UFC? Dana White knows that it would be a dangerous move from a business aspect. Does even Dana White have the stones to pull that one off? Is Anderson Silva, being the pound for pound best fighter in the world, bigger than the UFC?

- Anderson Silva has said on numerous occasions that he wanted to fight every champion at every weight class. Did he do this in order to further solidify that he is on a collision course to fight GSP at either welterweight or GSP move up to middleweight for a championship bout? After the Maia fight, Dana White said Silva did not deserve a shot against GSP. What do you do with a guy that has decimated every single fighter you have put in front of him? In my opinion, I honestly believe Silva would make GSP look amateur like so many other fighters he has faced. Due to the business aspect of this situation, does Dana White swallow his pride, and set up Silva versus St. Pierre for the welterweight title? Not only is this the fight everyone wants to see, but it would probably be the biggest money draw the UFC has ever seen. What would you do if you were Dana White in this situation?

Overall, I love watching Anderson Silva fight aggressively, and I do think in both of the scenarios I have listed it is Anderson Silva's ego that drives this entire mess. I do not agree with his conduct with myself being a hardcore mma fan, but I also believe Anderson Silva to be the baddest mo fo on the planet, when his ego doesn't get in the way. Hell, I would buy the PPV to see Silva beat GSP, but I also don't know which Anderson Silva would show up. Would it be Anderson Jekyll or Anderson Hyde? The respectful brazillian fighter that always has kind words, or the unchallenged middleweight champion whose ego gets in the way of his best interests?

Please let me know what you think!

I wonder if his ego might also have a lot to do with his success. Because of it he no doubt works hard, maybe harder than anyone else.

I'm sure it is more than mere talent and training. I think that's where his ego comes into play.

[GamerGal]

I tend to agree with you to an extent GG, but who the hell do you give Silva? Who in all of mma can beat Anderson Silva?


Uh... Some one a weight size higher? Make a time machine and bring back Ali or Tyson from the prime of their career? Send some one in there with a gun?

But really, if he can dance and tease and mock his opponents then they need better opponents for him.

[proffett]

Proff, I think you hit the nail on the head with this one ... it comes down to ego in this situation. As the mma gets bigger in the mainstream, the fighters are influenced by more than just being fighters. I am not quite sure what point Silva is trying to prove, but I would hope he just had a lapse in judgement, and mma fighters are not becoming like the stereotypical "Professional Athlete".

Yes, I too hope it was a lapse in judgement.


I wonder if his ego might also have a lot to do with his success. Because of it he no doubt works hard, maybe harder than anyone else.

I'm sure it is more than mere talent and training. I think that's where his ego comes into play.

But is there room for ego in a sport that is derived from martial arts, whose basis has always been on respect on not juvenile shit slinging and ego-maniacal posturing. Cockiness is one thing outside of the ring and we have seen this from many fighters. Smack talk is part of building up to a fight, just as much as training is. Mentally, a fighter HAS to think he is superior and speaking as though he is is a way to bring about a sort of self fulfilling assertion however, the lack of professionalism and respect in the ring is disappointing.

I have always loved MMA, even the brute competitiveness, but have equally enjoyed the fighters regard and support for their fellow competitors. Silva's actions in the ring are disheartening.

Cocky and arrogant outside of the octagon is one thing... In the octagon ones training and talent should be the language a fighter speaks with...

[proffett]

But really, if he can dance and tease and mock his opponents then they need better opponents for him.

Dance and tease and mock... I prefer striking, taking down, grappling, and eliminating personally. The former is juvenile and makes Silva look like a bitch. IMO.

[GamerGal]

Silva would fight if he had an opponent. Unfortunately he didn't have one so he kept himself entertained.

[proffett]

Silva would fight if he had an opponent. Unfortunately he didn't have one so he kept himself entertained.

Well Dana White doesn't put people in the ring to be asshats. That's not what us real fans want. That's what high school pussies do when there is a fight, not trained fighters. He should have instead put his money where his mouth was and kicked some ass.

Has any MMA fan been disappointed when a fight ends quickly because of the royal beat down? The answer is of course no. I for one though have been known to get food or even change the channel if the competitors in the ring are doing nothing more than circling and staring at each other...

[SuperDig]

Uh... Some one a weight size higher? Make a time machine and bring back Ali or Tyson from the prime of their career? Send some one in there with a gun?

But really, if he can dance and tease and mock his opponents then they need better opponents for him.

A gun might be a good idea.

Who do they put him up against though? Who in all of mma has the same skill set?

Personally, I would love to see a Jon "Bones" Jones versus Anderson Silva at light heavyweight. Both fighters are explosive, and I do believe he would have a shot at Silva. If that were to happen and Silva made him look like less than a challenge ... all hope we would be lost in my eyes for someone beating him.

[GamerGal]

Proffet, how is it his fault that his "opponent" was nothing. Sure he could have just killed him, literally, in under 30 seconds but still. Hell, tell him bulk up or some one else lose weight so maybe you could find some one?

Also, bring this guy in? John Brisker: the ABA's All-Time Leader in Crazy

It wasn't just opposing teams that fell victim to Brisker's madness. The man was such a lunatic that his own team had to hire some muscle in an attempt to control him. During practices, coach Dick Tinkham (great name) brought in an ex-football player whose sole job was to flatten Brisker the first time he got out of line. When Brisker proved to be too tough, the football player declared that he was going to the locker room to get his gun. Brisker was fine with that, since that gave him time to go to his locker and get his gun. Tinkham decided to cancel practice for the day.
http://www.cracked.com/article_18477_the-5-most-badass-and-possibly-insane-athletes-all-time.html

[SuperDig]

Proffet, how is it his fault that his "opponent" was nothing. Sure he could have just killed him, literally, in under 30 seconds but still. Hell, tell him bulk up or some one else lose weight so maybe you could find some one?

Also, bring this guy in? John Brisker: the ABA's All-Time Leader in Crazy

http://www.cracked.com/article_18477_the-5-most-badass-and-possibly-insane-athletes-all-time.html

GG, that's just the problem. I don't see anyone in any weight class giving a him a run for his money besides maybe Jonny "Bones" Jones. Beyond him ... nothing!

[Cartesiantheater]

Yes, I too hope it was a lapse in judgement.



But is there room for ego in a sport that is derived from martial arts, whose basis has always been on respect on not juvenile shit slinging and ego-maniacal posturing. Cockiness is one thing outside of the ring and we have seen this from many fighters. Smack talk is part of building up to a fight, just as much as training is. Mentally, a fighter HAS to think he is superior and speaking as though he is is a way to bring about a sort of self fulfilling assertion however, the lack of professionalism and respect in the ring is disappointing.

I have always loved MMA, even the brute competitiveness, but have equally enjoyed the fighters regard and support for their fellow competitors. Silva's actions in the ring are disheartening.

Cocky and arrogant outside of the octagon is one thing... In the octagon ones training and talent should be the language a fighter speaks with...


There have always been douche bags learning and even teaching martial arts since their inception. Martial artists are as much people as any other group.

I know people tend to have a belief about honor and such in martial arts, but that only applies to people who have enough self respect to have it.


Rather than simply being a factor of the martial arts, I personally believe carrying oneself with honor and dignity should be a full time thing regardless of what activities you do.

But that is off topic:






I totally agree that there is NO place for such poor sportsmanship in the ring of MMA. It is one thing to be confident, or even feel cocky (this is often times something you need to have in a competitive situation). But it is quite another to disrespect your opponent.

But what I was saying is that perhaps this man's ridiculous ego is part of what drives him during physical training, etc.

Because after all, MMA fighters are athletes.





GG:

It's like White said in one of the post-fight interviews: if Silva is really that good, then he needs to just put his opponent down quickly.




But here is my honest opinion:


In the later rounds I think the mockery was a RUSE to hide the fact that he knew he had enough points to win by decision and was trying to maintain enough distance to prevent Maia from either getting some points himself or (by some lucky event) managing to submit Silva.

[proffett]

There have always been douche bags learning and even teaching martial arts since their inception. Martial artists are as much people as any other group.

I know people tend to have a belief about honor and such in martial arts, but that only applies to people who have enough self respect to have it.


Rather than simply being a factor of the martial arts, I personally believe carrying oneself with honor and dignity should be a full time thing regardless of what activities you do.

I totally agree that there is NO place for such poor sportsmanship in the ring of MMA. It is one thing to be confident, or even feel cocky (this is often times something you need to have in a competitive situation). But it is quite another to disrespect your opponent.

But what I was saying is that perhaps this man's ridiculous ego is part of what drives him during physical training, etc.

Because after all, MMA fighters are athletes.


Agreed!





GG:

It's like White said in one of the post-fight interviews: if Silva is really that good, then he needs to just put his opponent down quickly.

Exactly my point. If I were paying to see a fight, this type of self aggrandizing posturing would piss me the fuck off. Just get in there and say it with your fists/submissions or look like a pussy.





But here is my honest opinion:


In the later rounds I think the mockery was a RUSE to hide the fact that he knew he had enough points to win by decision and was trying to maintain enough distance to prevent Maia from either getting some points himself or (by some lucky event) managing to submit Silva.

Yes. Silva may be a huge badass. He might be the best competitor out there. But things happen in the ring and even the greatest fighters lose sometimes. Staying away like a bitch, circling and mocking looks worse than actually going in for a strike or take down and somehow losing the match, imo.

[Mezurashi]

I feel somewhat vindicated since I predicted such a thing would occur within MMA about a year ago - my point now is as it was then, MMA is not Martial Arts, it is a bloodsport.

Silva's ego can only be blamed on All MMA Fans who helped Create the environment of pseudo-sport which plagues the MMA at the championship level.

as time goes on and money increases we will see More and More Silva's around, whether because of their own ego or their managers telling them to generate controversy for free advertising it's become all about the money and thus ...

but it does not make me feel good to say, "I told you so," because I had hoped that the whole MMA thing would evolve differently.

it took less time than I expected for the beginnings of the meltdown. now to watch the dripping wax whilst the dedicated supporters try to stem the flow with even more money ...

[Cartesiantheater]

I feel somewhat vindicated since I predicted such a thing would occur within MMA about a year ago - my point now is as it was then, MMA is not Martial Arts, it is a bloodsport.

Silva's ego can only be blamed on All MMA Fans who helped Create the environment of pseudo-sport which plagues the MMA at the championship level.

as time goes on and money increases we will see More and More Silva's around, whether because of their own ego or their managers telling them to generate controversy for free advertising it's become all about the money and thus ...

but it does not make me feel good to say, "I told you so," because I had hoped that the whole MMA thing would evolve differently.

it took less time than I expected for the beginnings of the meltdown. now to watch the dripping wax whilst the dedicated supporters try to stem the flow with even more money ...

If all that is true than you have to explain all the athletes who compete with honor and respect in the sport.

Are each and every one of these guys just "exceptions to the rule?"



EDIT-but you ARE right at least partially. The competitive culture WILL INEVITABLY produce douche bags.

[The Silence]

I tend to agree with you to an extent GG, but who the hell do you give Silva? Who in all of mma can beat Anderson Silva?

Lyoto Machida (#1) & Georges St.Pierre...
...wild card would be Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

[The Silence]

EDIT-but you ARE right at least partially. The competitive culture WILL INEVITABLY produce douche bags.

Outside of MMA, Angel Matos & his ban from the World Taekwondo Federation is a prime example of this...then again, so is Terrell Owens of the NFL - but that's just me.

[Cartesiantheater]

You're right, The Silence. In competitive environments of any type you get assholes. You get them without that environment, for that matter, but usually the douches flock to places where they can demonstrate their superiority.

[Rabid1]

If all that is true than you have to explain all the athletes who compete with honor and respect in the sport.

Are each and every one of these guys just "exceptions to the rule?"

Mez is correct with the statement
MMA is not Martial Arts
It is a hybrid, of mixed disciplines and skills. At it's origins in the US like Toughman it was a bloodsport, but it has evolved. The whole "Martial Arts is about respect" is fine in concept, but just like dick fighters in MMA there are plenty of schools that teach kick ass or quit and have no respect for other disciplines in MA. In Kenpo I was taught you used skill to give the other guy a chance to change his mind and to use it in self defense only, but they also had a class on how to inflict the most damage in the first attack, kind of defeating the purpose of giving you opponent a chance to change his mind.

Just like the show The Ultimate Fighter brings out the idiot in a many of the contestants, it does show you what it takes to be an real MMA fighter. Even the toughest who make it too the end meltdown without the discipline and respect any athlete must give to ANY sport he or she is dedicated to.

Silva is going through the same small meltdown like GSP did when he lost to Matt Cera, the spotlight was a little too bright and he toook himslef a little too seriously. The problem with Silva is there is no one right now who really can give him trouble so even if he makes a mistake nobody can capitalize on it. You can see the changes going back over his interviews since he fisrt one the belt. Take that and his background it is surprising his behavior isn't worse. But this past performance will either be a wakeup call or maybe he should retire as he has suggested before and let Roy Jones Junior kick his butt.

[iulian28ti]

Fighting with rules..... LMAO
Sport on television...... entertainment.

It's all part of the show !

[The Silence]

Fighting with rules..... LMAO
Sport on television...... entertainment.

It's all part of the show !

Nah...that just sounds like professionally "fake" wrestling such as the likes of WWE or TNA. I just don't get it...

[Cartesiantheater]

Fighting with rules..... LMAO
Sport on television...... entertainment.

It's all part of the show !

I personally know a guy who fights on lower circuits (he has only fought a few matches in some regional league at this point). Trust me, it is full contact and real, and rest assured the athletes are trained quite well. Not just the (mechanically useful) martial arts, of course, but the physical conditioning, etc. The fights are not scripted. It's hardly different than boxing. Do you believe professional boxing is fake?


(in fact, just the opinion of people I know, boxing IS MORE DANGEROUS than MMA because in MMA you're as likely to lose by submission, where you leave SORE but okay, than KO where you can leave with a concussion or worse- you get points for kicking someone in the leg FFS. But in boxing it's more toe to toe trying to smash someone's face)

[The Silence]

I personally know a guy who fights on lower circuits (he has only fought a few matches in some regional league at this point). Trust me, it is full contact and real, and rest assured the athletes are trained quite well. Not just the (mechanically useful) martial arts, of course, but the physical conditioning, etc. The fights are not scripted. It's hardly different than boxing. Do you believe professional boxing is fake?


(in fact, just the opinion of people I know, boxing IS MORE DANGEROUS than MMA because in MMA you're as likely to lose by submission, where you leave SORE but okay, than KO where you can leave with a concussion or worse- you get points for kicking someone in the leg FFS. But in boxing it's more toe to toe trying to smash someone's face)

Yes, CT's right - you're statistically more likely to become severely (let alone permanently) injured or disabled boxing than you would during an MMA bout...unless of course it's a no holds barred underground MMA type of cage fighting, but that's an entirely different subject & story - or is it?

[MaximumPain]

Fighting with rules..... LMAO

MMA has fewer rules then any other televised fighting I know of. The rules they do have are to keep people from killing or maiming each other. Do you think biting and eye gouging should be allowed? I do dislike how some fighters manipulate the rules for an advantage like keeping one knee on the mat to not get kneed in the head but the rule against knees in the head probably saves lives and careers and needs to stay.



Sport on television...... entertainment. It's all part of the show!
Anyone watching sports = entertainment. Most people playing sport do so for entertainment.

[SuperDig]

Lyoto Machida (#1) & Georges St.Pierre...
...wild card would be Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

I respect your opinion, but I would have to disagree. The fighters you have named are dedicated and have a laundry list of achievements in the mma ranks; however both Machida and Rampage have fights coming up that they are clearly underdogs in many fans eyes.

Machida must face Shogun again next month after many say Shogun was utterly robbed of the decision for the championship. Personally, being a fan of both fighters, I think it could have went either way; however to take the belt from a champion you need to win the bout convincingly. I look very forward to the fight next month, and I think Shogun gets the win in the end.

Also, Anderson Silva has said on many occasions that he will NOT fight Lyoto Machida. They are training partners and good friends. He has no interest in fighting for the light heavyweight championship. Then again, we all know Dana White can be very persuasive.

Both Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida fight very similarly. They both attack from counter strikes and can both be extremely elusive.(As we saw Silva this past fight ... heh) I do not think Machida has the striking ability of Silva, and if this fight would occur ... I say Silva KO in the 2nd round.

I don't think Rampage could be as dedicated as he used to be to the sport itself. I think this would effect his conditioning and training being so involved in other things besides the UFC. He fights Rashaad Evans in a few months after just coming back from filming the A Team and supposedly quitting the UFC. With 37 fights in his career, I think you could probably put him in the Chuck Liddell, Randy Coutre, and Tito Ortiz class .... they were once great, but there time has come and gone.

Being a huge fan of Rampage, I have to face the facts, and admit that he will probably be put down in the 3rd round by TKO by Rashaad Evans. That's hard to say because I cannot stand Rashaad Evans, but he works and trains very hard , while also being extremely well rounded. Unfortunately, Rampage is a brawler and it's a matter of Rampage getting that lucky knockout blow on Evans.

I do not like GSP, but I respect the man and his ability. He is as much an athlete, if not more than Anderson Silva. I just do not think someone like Silva is a good match for GSP and his skillset. GSP is one of the most dominant wrestlers we will probably ever see in all of mma. He wears his opponents down with constant takedowns and beating them up until he can either submit them or TKO to strikes. Silva has legendary takedown defense and is probably just as fast as GSP. I think he will get a takedown or two on the BJJ black belt, Silva, but I also think Silva will force GSP to stand up with him. GSP doesn't want that, and it wouldn't make it past the first round if this were the case.

Not trying to be difficult, but I love a good debate on mma fighters.

[The Silence]

I respect your opinion, but I would have to disagree. The fighters you have named are dedicated and have a laundry list of achievements in the mma ranks; however both Machida and Rampage have fights coming up that they are clearly underdogs in many fans eyes.

Machida must face Shogun again next month after many say Shogun was utterly robbed of the decision for the championship. Personally, being a fan of both fighters, I think it could have went either way; however to take the belt from a champion you need to win the bout convincingly. I look very forward to the fight next month, and I think Shogun gets the win in the end.

Also, Anderson Silva has said on many occasions that he will NOT fight Lyoto Machida. They are training partners and good friends. He has no interest in fighting for the light heavyweight championship. Then again, we all know Dana White can be very persuasive.

Both Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida fight very similarly. They both attack from counter strikes and can both be extremely elusive.(As we saw Silva this past fight ... heh) I do not think Machida has the striking ability of Silva, and if this fight would occur ... I say Silva KO in the 2nd round.

I don't think Rampage could be as dedicated as he used to be to the sport itself. I think this would effect his conditioning and training being so involved in other things besides the UFC. He fights Rashaad Evans in a few months after just coming back from filming the A Team and supposedly quitting the UFC. With 37 fights in his career, I think you could probably put him in the Chuck Liddell, Randy Coutre, and Tito Ortiz class .... they were once great, but there time has come and gone.

Being a huge fan of Rampage, I have to face the facts, and admit that he will probably be put down in the 3rd round by TKO by Rashaad Evans. That's hard to say because I cannot stand Rashaad Evans, but he works and trains very hard , while also being extremely well rounded. Unfortunately, Rampage is a brawler and it's a matter of Rampage getting that lucky knockout blow on Evans.

I do not like GSP, but I respect the man and his ability. He is as much an athlete, if not more than Anderson Silva. I just do not think someone like Silva is a good match for GSP and his skillset. GSP is one of the most dominant wrestlers we will probably ever see in all of mma. He wears his opponents down with constant takedowns and beating them up until he can either submit them or TKO to strikes. Silva has legendary takedown defense and is probably just as fast as GSP. I think he will get a takedown or two on the BJJ black belt, Silva, but I also think Silva will force GSP to stand up with him. GSP doesn't want that, and it wouldn't make it past the first round if this were the case.

Not trying to be difficult, but I love a good debate on mma fighters.

I mentioned a Machida vs. Silva simply because it's on so many MMA fan's "what if" lists...though I agree with your comparison of the 2, I do disagree with the outcome. All in all, this fight would make a rather good retirement match for either I think. Why? You shouldn't have to think about too much...

I personally don't think Shogun was robbed, though there is to some extent fair reason for some to believe so...either way, those who do believe so shouldn't bark until after this upcoming rematch. Again, I disagree with your outcome simply for this lone reason: now that the Machida has fought him once, I'd like to think he'll be well enough prepared in terms of what to expect. Of course, the same goes for Shogun as well...I'll still have my fingers crossed for Machida regardless.

As for Rampage, he's not entirely a relic yet & there's still quite a lot of fight left in him...but note I'd also be quick to take back my wild card view of him vs Silva if this upcoming fight isn't up to what was. Besides, I also on the bandwagon that says, "Even if this fight ever happens, Rampage's chin'll be look'n for trouble..."

I do very much so like your view of GSP vs Silva as well for it is very similar to my own - personally I think it could go either way...you just never know. I see this fight as a classic just waiting to happen...I'd also love to see a rematch of Dan Henderson vs Silva sometime soon too if he'd still be up to it.

[iulian28ti]

I personally know a guy who fights on lower circuits (he has only fought a few matches in some regional league at this point). Trust me, it is full contact and real, and rest assured the athletes are trained quite well. Not just the (mechanically useful) martial arts, of course, but the physical conditioning, etc. The fights are not scripted. It's hardly different than boxing. Do you believe professional boxing is fake?



I have never said, implied or believed that.

Martial arts by itself is not a sport. It's a way to kill or incapacitate someone. However, it has been turned into a sport by introducing rules. It has been bastardized and lost all its meaning for the sake of entertainment. If there would be no rules, there wouldn't be too much to see, because the fight would end in the first 10 seconds. So if a fighter "makes a mockery of the sport", i don't see what's the problem. You're watching ENTERTAINMENT, not martial arts. If the mockery part did not entertain you, that's your problem.

[Cartesiantheater]

I have never said, implied or believed that.

Martial arts by itself is not a sport. It's a way to kill or incapacitate someone. However, it has been turned into a sport by introducing rules. It has been bastardized and lost all its meaning for the sake of entertainment.

And I believe that is a myopic view.



If there would be no rules, there wouldn't be too much to see, because the fight would end in the first 10 seconds.

There is no difference.

In MMA matches where the fight is over in ten seconds, the reason is because one fighter was able to preform a move that WITHOUT A REF ENDING IT would be lethal.

Either way, whether there is a ref or not, you still have to obtain the correct position to execute a lethal move. It is not like the movies where there is a magic chi death touch. When both fighters are equally skilled, unless one of them makes a royal mistake, the battle will last as long as both fighters are able to prevent the other from gaining the same control required to win in a fight with a ref to end the fight.



Case in point:


Those retard ninjers believe they can defeat very skilled MMA competitors because the ninjers can "bite, gauge eyes" etc. How retarded is this idea? Do they think when POINTS DON'T MATTER that an MMA competitor can't do those things as well? And for the ignorant, MMA schools DO teach "dirty" techniques for the purpose of self defense.


It isn't the MARTIAL aspect of MMA schools that is compromised, it's the "spiritual" and traditional aspects. MMA is essentially the modern version of what Bruce Lee made with Jeet Kune Do. Still packs the punch, but eliminates everything not directly related to combat.





So if a fighter "makes a mockery of the sport", i don't see what's the problem. You're watching ENTERTAINMENT, not martial arts. If the mockery part did not entertain you, that's your problem.

That's what someone who has not taken a martial arts class AND been exposed to the details of what goes on in an MMA school would say. The MARTIAL aspect of MMA schools is not only THERE, it is SUPERIOR to most traditional martial arts because training involves FULLY RESISTANT partners, rather than the COMPLIANT partners you see in most McDojos.