On August 27th in the main event, in Rio, Brazil, Anderson “The Spider” Silva will lock horns with the last man to defeat him: Yushin “Thunder” Okami, for the UFC middleweight championship.
Anderson Silva has been undefeated in 14 fights since that fateful and controversial night at Rumble on the Rock 8.
Yushin Okami on the other hand has won his last three encounters. The only blemish on his record prior to those three wins was his loss to Chael Sonnen via unanimous decision.
In a sense, Anderson Silva has nothing to prove to anyone, but himself.
Even though, the loss to Okami was via disqualification. Anderson, I believe wants to prove that what happened that night was an aberration.
Anderson wants to successfully defend his belt, but most of all, I guess he wants redemption. “The Spider” probably wants to put on a great show for the Brazilian fateful, which is understandable. And in doing so try and decimate Okami in the process.
Yushin Okami just wants the belt placed around his waist? Or maybe he wants to usurp Anderson Silva’s belt in a dramatic fashion?
Okami has been training with Chael Sonnen in the wrestling and takedown department. And must be hoping that what learning he’s acquired will suffice to neuter the threat that is Anderson Silva?
I’ll get to the crux of the matter:
What if the unthinkable happened?
Okami from the outset doesn’t give Anderson his normal one minute or so feeling out period, and immediately goes in for the takedowns. Okami continues to secure relevant takedowns throughout the fight.
At that point it’s more than likely that he’ll gain top position. And from that position he could attempt one of two things: lay and pray his way to victory or try and earn the victory via ground and pound.
Both scenarios are dangerous for Okami, because Anderson is more or less a wizard when he fights off his back and Okami could be submitted.
Food for thought: It could happen.
Yushin Okami nullifies Anderson’s Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and every other weapon “The Spider” has in his arsenal. That sounds like wishful thinking. It probably is.
But in one moment of unmitigated glory, Yushin Okami connects flush to the chin of Anderson Silva with a Hail Mary punch for the ages? Knocking out, “The Spider”.
These are the unthinkable, the unfathomable. But what if it did happen?
I for one don’t believe the unthinkable will happened come UFC 134. But if by some divine intervention it did happen, especially if Yushin Okami secured the victory via KO/TKO. Anderson Silva’s aura and air of invincibility would be gone forever.
Remember this is all hypothetical.
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