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UFC on Fox: Will Anderson Silva Headline the First Show?

Late on Tuesday, rumors began to pop up in the MMA world that the UFC was considering a possible Dan Henderson-Anderson Silva fight as the headline bout for the inaugural UFC on FOX event. At first glance the idea seemed a bit off the wall, mostly due to timing, since the FOX card will take place on November 12, but the potential fight does seem to be based on more than a “crazy” rumor.

On Monday, UFC president Dana White was speaking to the LA Times about the UFC’s recent deal with FOX, telling them that before a decision could be made on a headlining bout for the event that will take place at Anaheim’s Honda Center, he would have to see the result of UFC 134.

UFC 134 will take place in Brazil on Saturday, August 27 and will feature a main event between UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami. The LA Times then asked White if that meant that Silva would be on the FOX card, to which he responded, “I’m not saying that. Let me get through these fights.”

The initial reports of an actual opponent for Silva came from Tatame.com, who cited “sources close to the situation” as telling them that Silva was speaking with the UFC about a potential rematch with Dan Henderson, whom he previously defeated at UFC 82, forcing Henderson to tap out early in the second round of the bout. The victory earned Silva “Fight of the Night” as well as “Submission of the Night” honors.

The other option, according to the initial Tatame report, was to move Chael Sonnen from his fight at UFC 136 against Brian Stann and match him up with Silva. Sonnen was close to defeating Silva at UFC 117 before tapping to “The Spider” in the fifth and final round of that bout.

On Wednesday, Tatame.com spoke to UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta on the subject of a Silva-Henderson bout to which he responded, “I would love to do that. Anderson just needs a win.”

Lost in all of this is a huge “what if”: what if Okami defeats Silva?

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UFC News: UFC Looks to Book Anderson Silva vs Dan Henderson II for Fox Debut

Just as fans were gearing up for Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson to headline the first UFC main event on Fox, it turns out that Dana White and company have other plans. While a lightweight title eliminator may still be a distinct possibility for the…

Just as fans were gearing up for Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson to headline the first UFC main event on Fox, it turns out that Dana White and company have other plans.

While a lightweight title eliminator may still be a distinct possibility for the November 12 card, Tatame.com is reporting that the UFC wants a rematch between Dan Henderson and Anderson Silva to headline the card.

In two legendary fighters first met at UFC 82, and although Henderson likely won the first round, Silva submitted him with a rear naked choke late in the second round.

The bout would be a middleweight contest, so perhaps the UFC has little faith in Yushin Okami upsetting Silva at UFC 134.

Henderson has not fought at middleweight in 16 months since dropping the Strikeforce middleweight title to Jake Shields.

The Team Quest founder is fresh off arguably the biggest win of his career, scoring a TKO victory over fellow former pride star Fedor Emelianenko.

The bout was contest at heavyweight, but Henderson still weighed in at a modest 207 pounds.

As expected, the UFC has a plan B should Hendo not be willing to make the cut to middleweight: Brazil’s public enemy No. 1, Chael Sonnen.

Sonnen is currently scheduled to fight at UFC 136 against Brian Stann, which takes place on October 8.

Should Henderson not accept the fight, early indications are that Sonnen would be pulled from UFC 136 and Stann would fight Vitor Belfort instead.

However, do not forget that Sonnen is currently not licensed to fight in California, and the event takes place in Anaheim.

Whether or not Sonnen can acquire another fighter’s license from California is anyone’s guess, but it one would have to guess that the two sides are still not seeing eye to eye.

If Sonnen vs. Silva II came to fruition, it would be the immediate rematch from UFC 117 that many fans and analysts expected before Sonnen’s suspension regarding elevated testosterone.

It is easy to argue the fairness of Sonnen getting a title shot after a 15-month layoff and a plethora of legal issues, but it is impossible to deny that the fight would be a massive draw.

For the time being, the only fight confirmed for the UFC’s first event on Fox is Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza.

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Anderson Silva: The Rise of ‘The Spider’ and His 13-Win Streak in the UFC

Anderson “The Spider” Silva is on a 13-fight winning streak in the UFC: 8 coming by way of KO/TKO. 3 by way of Submission. 2 by Unanimous Decision. To date he has successfully defended his UFC middleweight title a record eight times. The on…

Anderson “The Spider” Silva is on a 13-fight winning streak in the UFC:

8 coming by way of KO/TKO.

3 by way of Submission.

2 by Unanimous Decision.

To date he has successfully defended his UFC middleweight title a record eight times. The only fighter to even come close to that record is current UFC welterweight champion George St. Pierre; who has successfully defended his title six times.

“The Spider” has won eight Fight Bonuses, more than any other fighter in the UFC, save for Chris “Lights Out” Lytle, with whom he shares the record.

Silva’s UFC Fight Bonuses: Knockout of the night; Rich Franklin, Fight and Submission of the night; Dan Henderson, Fight and Knockout of the night; Forrest Griffin, Fight and Submission of the night; Chael Sonnen and Knockout of the night; Vitor Belfort.

“The Spider” is set to defend his title for a record ninth time when he throws down with Yushin “Thunder” Okami on Aug. 27 at UFC 134 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Okami is the same fighter who defeated Anderson Silva via disqualification.

That was more than five years ago at Rumble on the Rock 8. Yushin Okami won the fight by default; whilst Okami secured top position, Silva struck Okami with an up kick to his chin (temporarily rendering him unconscious) that was deemed to be illegal. And that was the reason for his disqualification.

For Anderson “The Spider” Silva; UFC 134 is all about Revenge, Resolution, but most of all; Redemption.

The indomitable Anderson Silva is indubitably, pound for pound the greatest mixed martial artist of his aeon.

He has dominated his contemporaries and destroyed his peers, and in doing so, has achieved both an iconic and venerated status amongst the aforementioned.

His pre-eminence is admired by the fans as well, whether they love him or despise him.

Since his debut in the UFC, no fighter yet has deciphered the enigma that is Anderson “The Spider” Silva.

Let’s take a look at his 13 hits:

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Hendo Seeks Unification Bout, Says Rashad Evans Should Sit Out One More Fight

Move over Rashad Evans. Dan Henderson wants a UFC title shot.The Strikeforce light heavyweight champion recently sat down in an interview on MMAWeekly Radio to talk about big money fights and a unification bout to determine an undisputed champion.Outsi…

Move over Rashad Evans. Dan Henderson wants a UFC title shot.

The Strikeforce light heavyweight champion recently sat down in an interview on MMAWeekly Radio to talk about big money fights and a unification bout to determine an undisputed champion.

Outside of a signed contract agreement, one of Henderson’s primary hurdles is former UFC champion Evans, who guaranteed his position as No. 1 contender with a UFC 133 win over Tito Ortiz.

“I think the biggest fight they could promote is probably a title unification with whoever is the champ in the UFC,” said Henderson. “I think for them to utilize the best potential to make money for everybody, I think they’d have to have Rashad wait it out one more fight.”

Evans has done plenty of waiting. His bout with Ortiz was his first in 13 months due to rehabbing a laundry list of injuries.

Henderson does make a few valid points. The general public is infatuated with champion versus champion bouts. Georges St-Pierre’s upcoming UFC 137 bout against Nick Diaz is a surefire blockbuster, and Henderson is simply hoping to follow suit.

Henderson is coming off an impressive first-round TKO win over fellow legend and former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko.

With that said, Evans has major history with light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and title contender Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, who are expected to do battle in the headliner of UFC 135.

Is Henderson versus Jones or Jackson more appealing than Evans facing one of the two?

“I’m ready to fight, and I think I’m a valuable asset to make money with also, and the [UFC] knows that,” Henderson said. “I’m not worried about what’s going to happen. I’d like to try and fight in December. Take another month off or so and get back to training.”

Whether Henderson challenges for a UFC title in his next outing or not, the 41-year-old legend isn’t slowing down anytime soon, which only adds to the anticipation of potential super-fights down the road.

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Dana White: Should He Quietly Fade into the Background?

I think it’s time that Dana White ceased to be at the forefront of the UFC, as well as its spokesperson, and dissipate into the abyss or background (or whatever you want to call it).
It has been two weeks since Fedor “The Last Emperor&rdquo…

I think it’s time that Dana White ceased to be at the forefront of the UFC, as well as its spokesperson, and dissipate into the abyss or background (or whatever you want to call it).

It has been two weeks since Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko lost his third fight in a row, courtesy of Dan Henderson’s H-Bomb.

But what followed after the former Pride heavyweight champion’s demise at the hands of Henderson was a litany of insults from none other than the UFC supremo himself, Dana White.

Talk about kicking a man when he’s down—that would be an understatement. Not only did White subject Emelianenko to a humiliating vituperation, he also fired him from his newly acquired company called Strikeforce. Talk about adding salt to the injury.

Emelianenko isn’t the first fighter and most definitely won’t be the last to feel the acid tongue of Mr. White. White doesn’t keep his rancid wrath for solely the fighters—anyone and anybody he does agree with or doesn’t agree with soon finds out what a foul-mouthed, profanity prone individual he is—fans included.

This man is the president of the biggest and most lucrative MMA organization in the world. And how does he act? Like a buffoon.

Let’s be honest—this man has no class. Sometimes he comes across as a joke, and he lacks a lot in the decorum department to boot. It seems like he has a good business acumen and a gift of the gab, but that’s about all the credit I’m willing to give this man.

He reminds me of the British promoter Frank Warren. They could be twins in the way their behaviors mirror one another. If a boxer isn’t signed with Warren’s promotion or has decided to jump ship with another promoter or manager, he has little or no time for that fighter. And what ensues is a torrent of abusive and derogatory comments heaped upon those fighters (which he’s allowed to spew in his weekly newspaper column). In my opinion, this sort of conduct is totally and utterly unacceptable.

And the same demeanor applies to Dana White. His latest outburst was, basically, “Having your promotion carried by Fedor is like having your promotion carried by Kimbo Slice.” Regardless of what Fedor Emelianenko has or hasn’t achieved in MMA (until his three straight losses, it should be noted that Fedor has had a stellar career), that was no way to speak about a fighter who most recently fought under his latest acquisition.

And the same could be said of Kimbo Slice. White used Kimbo’s Internet notoriety to push the ratings up, via the sale of PPVs in some of the UFC shows. And yet he now refers to Kimbo as something the cat dragged in, then dragged back out again. Aspersions of fighters, MMA or otherwise, in general is uncalled for.

I have no idea where this vitriol stems from. Was he a failed MMA practitioner? I doubt it. He couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag. Or is his coming across as some dimwitted macho guy something to do with the fact that he was once an aerobics instructor? Anyway, his proclivity to be abrasive to all and sundry smacks of someone who suffers from severe and acute insecurity issues.

The bullied becomes the bully. And that’s what Dana White is—a BULLY. It’s nothing to be proud of, because as most of us know when push comes to shove, they’ll be the first to fold.

I could vilify Dana White until the cows came home, but I won’t. Mr. White is a legend in his own mind.

It should be noted that the MMA is not a wholly established sport yet, and it be could said that it’s still in its infancy—and thus the UFC is a growing concern, and not the finished business model. So, Mr. White, a bit of professionalism and respect wouldn’t go amiss toward the fighters, fans, et al.

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Fedor Emelianenko Says He Wants to Resume His Fighting Career

Following his knockout loss to Dan Henderson, former heavyweight kingpin Fedor Emelianenko has decided to continue his fighting career.”The Last Emperor” said in an interview on Russia 2 Channel via LowKick.com that he wants to continue fighting, and d…

Following his knockout loss to Dan Henderson, former heavyweight kingpin Fedor Emelianenko has decided to continue his fighting career.

“The Last Emperor” said in an interview on Russia 2 Channel via LowKick.com that he wants to continue fighting, and despite UFC President Dana White‘s criticism, he still see’s a future for himself in mixed martial arts.

“I want to fight,” Emelianenko said.

“But you know, I currently have other things on my mind. I have a new daughter. There were some health issues in my family, but thank God, everything is alright,” he continued.

After suffering his third consecutive loss, Emelianenko was released from Strikeforce, ultimately ending his tenure in the United States; he was 1-3 in his last four bouts under the promotion.

White said Emelianenko’s contract with Strikeforce was terminated, however, Emelianenko clarified his status and said White’s comments were not entirely true.

“I didn’t have a contract with Strikeforce. My current contract is with Showtime,” he said.

“Our new contract ensures we don’t have to work directly with these organizations. We have already experienced certain difficulties while working with PRIDE and Affliction. We are trying to avoid any unpleasant consequences.”

While Emelianenko will look to benefit his services elsewhere in the world, it certainly won’t be acquired by the UFC. The Russian heavyweight will surely attract other promotions, but will not likely hold the same drawing power as if he were in the UFC. His unfortunate drought in Strikeforce ultimately cost him his chance at competing in the UFC, and possibly capturing the heavyweight title.

But it seems Emelianenko is content with his decision to continue his career in mixed martial arts and does not appear to pay attention to critics. In all likelihood, Emelianenko will continue to compete while White will continue to criticise and downplay the Russian’s legacy, arguably making Emelianenko the greatest fighter to not fight in the UFC.

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