Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva and Chris “The Crippler” Leben will meet at UFC 132 in what is arguably the most anticipated fight of 2011, so far.
Wanderlei and Chris are two of the most beloved brawlers in UFC history and fans are practically foaming at the mouth waiting for these two combatants to sling leather.
However, fans seem to be so enthralled by the potential for fireworks, that no one is talking about what’s at stake.
Silva has had a long and storied career and been in countless wars.
While we all appreciate the shows the Axe Murderer has put on for us, the effects that those battles have had on his body are starting to become apparent as his legendary career nears it’s end.
If Wanderlei wants to make one last run at a UFC title, now is the time for him to do it.
So, will a win over Chris Leben put Wanderlei Silva into the title picture in the middleweight division?
Well, before we get to Leben, let’s looks at Silva’s record since returning to the UFC since returning to the promotion in 2007.
The Axe Murderer is an unimpressive 2-3 since coming back to MMA‘s most prominent organization and has fought only once, thus far, in the middleweight division.
The one time Silva has competed in the UFC’s middleweight division, he earned a hard fought unanimous decision victory over Michael Bisping.
A win over The Crippler would put Wanderlei on a two fight win streak against, with those two victories coming over well known opponents. Given the relatively weak state of the middleweight division right now, that should be enough to put him into title contention.
If Wanderlei topples Leben, you can expect to see him facing off against Mark Munoz or Brian Stann next, in what will probably be a title eliminator fight.
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