(Sadly, a rematch with Lady Pavlova remains off the table.)
By CP Reader Nasir Jabbar
This weekend, Anderson Silva comes back from his grizzly leg-injury when he takes on Stockton’s finest, Nick Diaz. UFC president Dana White has stated that Silva could face the winner of Weidman-Belfort if victorious, which seems relatively insane given that he is fighting a welterweight coming off a two year vacation (UFC politics, baby!). The possibility of Belfort-Silva 2 could be huge especially in Brazil, but whether Silva wants to fight against a Brazilian is another question. If normality remains with Weidman trouncing the-now-off-TRT-Belfort, Weidman-Silva 3 is a fight I would actually pass up.
Both meetings ended bizarrely, with the second fight ending more unusual than their first, as crazy as that was. Silva has gone 0-2 opposite Weidman, and in the twelve or so minutes of action between them, its fair to say that Weidman has gotten the better of Silva. So instead of playing a (literally) broken record, here are four possible opponents the GOAT could face off with if he wins or loses at UFC 183, because, you know, he still has a few fights left on his new contract.
Win: Lyoto Machida
Throughout his MMA career, Silva has made it clear that he would never fight his friends or teammates, but unfortunately for The Spider, Machida doesn’t share the same sentiment and is now willing to fight the former middleweight champion. As he told Tatame:
Everyone asks me if I would face him but it’s a bout far away of happening. Of course I would. As a professional, I would do it. The audience would like to watch. But it’s a fight out of context and to me it isn’t going to happen, so I don’t like to talk about.
Since his loss to Jon Jones, Machida is arguably in the form of his life, only dropping decision to Phil Davis (Robbery) and Chris Weidman – the latter being a valiant effort in a bid to become only the third man to win a belt in two different weight classes. Machida’s career has also received a monetary boost since dropping to 185lbs, as he has picked up a post-fight bonus in each of his bouts going 3-1. “The Dragon” is known for is masterful offence and impeccable defence, and if he is able to get by Luke Rockhold in April, a fight between him and “The Spider” would be MMA at its finest. There’d be quite the narrative leading up, too.
Loss: Michael Bisping
Perennial top ten contender Michael Bisping has always had half an eye (get it?) on Silva, with Bisping being on the cusp of a title shot on a couple of occasions but eventually falling short. Bisping himself has said it would be “tragic” if he never faces off with him. He could get his wish, albeit in a non-title fight, but nonetheless a chance to square off with the greatest.
Bisping’s heavy stand-up game would play right into Silva’s hands, making it an entertaining affair while it lasts. A fight with the Brazilian legend and the loud-mouthed Brit would be a popular fight, if only because our gluttony for Bisping’s punishment knows no bounds. Bisping’s days of being a legit force are long gone, yet he could still be fed to Silva for one last hurrah. The UFC has always wanted to make this matchup, and if Silva somehow loses to Diaz tomorrow night, now could be the time to make it happen.
Win: Rashad Evans
I’ve always been intrigued by a potential Evans-Silva fight, and the two could have fought had Evans not looked so poor against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (seriously, this option was briefly on the table). Evans is in an unenviable position at light-heavyweight, he’s already been beaten by the champ, and the performance wasn’t good enough to warrant a second crack (no pun intended) at Jones.
After his title defeat, Evans looked very underwhelming in his next two fights against Nogueira and Dan Henderson, but showed a return to form in blitzing Chael Sonnen at UFC’s 20th anniversary show. Motivation may be something lacking in Evans’ psyche — it seems like there is no real direction in his career, and he’s been MIA since injuring his leg prior to UFC 170 — and a fight against Silva could be just the thing reignite his fire. Obviously, It wouldn’t be the first time Silva has ventured up at 205, having already dispatched James Irvin and Forrest Griffin with absolute ease. “Suga” may provide that formidable test at light-heavyweight.
Loss: Phil Davis
So who would you like to see Silva face next, Nation? Give us a shout in the comments section.