Anderson Silva is the greatest champion in MMA history. He has won 14 fights in a row and defended his middleweight championship a record eight times. He has fought at light heavyweight defeating consensus top-10 fighter Forrest Griffin by way of knockout.
Silva is the most dominate fighter in the game today, but it appears that his reign may be coming to an end.
Anderson faces Yushin Okami in less than a week at UFC 134: Rio. This fight is a rematch that took place right before Silva started fighting for the UFC, and it was also the last time that Silva tasted defeat. It wasn’t a legit loss, it was by disqualification. Since then both men have changed in one way or another. Anderson is the more dangerous striker, while Okami has developed improved wrestling.
Is Okami the man to dethrone Silva?
He could very well be. He trains with Chael Sonnen, and has good submission defense. If he can literally replicate the game plan that Sonnen had for four rounds, and keep busy on the ground, there is a solid chance that he could become the new UFC middleweight champion.
Realistically speaking.
In most cases, there would be a high chance for Okami to dethrone Silva, but the fight is in Brazil and the odds in this taking place are virtually slim to none. The reason Okami could dethrone Silva is because he has an annoying fight style for fighters, but there is a slim chance that many Brazilians lose in Rio, especially Anderson Silva.
Brian Stann vs Anderson Silva seems in most eyes as a slugfest. The way Stann fights, he always tends to gas out by the second round. This could end up as a typical Anderson Silva finish, unless Stann catches him early.
This fight gives Stann a puncher’s chance, but he is still evolving as a mixed martial artist and realistically is being put in the title picture too soon. Yes, he has looked great, but he needs more time to improve. Silva would win this fight due to his technical style.
Remember though, it’s MMA and anything can happen.
Stann is improving in his BJJ, the bad thing for him is the fact that a bout with Silva would be five rounds. If Stann defeats Sonnen, does he stand a chance with Okami or Silva, realistically? Sure, as long as he keeps it on the feet and exchanges in a smart way instead of blowing his load too soon in the fight. Stann is a good person for the sport, but the odds in him being the guy to take over the middleweight division are virtually slim to none(at the current time).
Then there is one…
Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva need to fight again. The fans need to know, did Sonnen really dominate because Silva had a fractured rib, or is Sonnen really that good? This is the must see fight. If Okami defeats Silva, a rematch between Okami and Sonnen is not a truly marketable fight, but is worth watching. Who wins if Sonnen and Silva fight again?
There are many things that could truly take place in the rematch.
Sonnen has a very good chance of taking over, and dethroning Silva. The odds in him remaining champion are pretty good as long as he can avoid fighters with elite submission skills, which has always been his big problem throughout his career. Of the three men listed, Sonnen has the best chance. But as stated above, it is MMA; anything is possible.
These three men all have a legitimate chance to defeat Anderson Silva to become champion. Silva, in all honesty, has the toughest road ahead of him as champion, but there is a reason that he is the pound-for-pound king. He has faced his fair share of tough opponents, but the way the title picture is starting to look, it appears his run could truly come to an end.
That does not in any way mean that any of the three men are better mixed martial artists than him, but he is now lined up with the type of fights that are his to win but easy to lose. Keep your eyes open these next few months, there may be a new sheriff in town for the UFC middleweight division.
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