Tag: UFC 148

Why Silva has the Advantage Over Sonnen

The rematch between middleweight king, Anderson Silva, and the king on trash talk, Chael Sonnen will arguably be the biggest MMA event in history. With more mudslinging then a presidential election, it comes down to.

The rematch between middleweight king, Anderson Silva, and the king on trash talk, Chael Sonnen will arguably be the biggest MMA event in history. With more mudslinging then a presidential election, it comes down to the final week before the fight, and it’s time to put up, or shut up. Harsh comments and insults won’t put a win on either of the records, it’s all coming down to skill and preparation.

It comes to no surprise that the middleweight champ is the favorite to win the rematch, but there is much dissension over how this fight should truly be analyzed. Many have suggested what they feel are the keys to victory for each fighter, and several X factors that could determine who will leave that night with the belt. People could argue, until their blue in the face, over what the most intelligent strategy would be, who they feel has the mental edge, or simply, who will be able to impose their will on their opponent. However, before the fight even begins, it will be Silva who has the initial advantage.

It can be beneficial for a fighter to have already faced an opponent once before. However, Silva will benefit from this far more, simply because of Sonnen‘s, somewhat transparent, game plan that will mimic his last performance against the champ, or any other of his past opponents, for that matter. He will come out aggressively and use his elite-level wrestling to get the fight to the ground. The chances of Sonnen looking to stand and trade strikes with Silva, or let Silva press the action are unlikely. While it’s true that it is in the champ’s best interest to keep it on the feet, it remains clear that Silva is the more versatile fighter, who could easily change his tactics and mix things up far better than his opponent. It’s safe to say that Silva has been working diligently on his wrestling, specifically his takedown defense. However, if Silva is taken down, his last minute triangle submission win over Sonnen in their last fight proves that with Silva, the fight isn’t over until the fat lady sings, or more preferably an octagon ring girl.

By no means, however, does it mean that it is impossible to see Sonnen’s hand raised by the end of the fight. After all, he nearly won the first fight. With all of the hype surrounding this card, and words exchanged by both fighters, this rematch will not go to the judge’s score cards. With the advantage of striking and jiu-jitsu for Silva, it appears that more than likely, the legacy of the reigning champ, Anderson Silva, will continue.

By: Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

‘Silva vs. Sonnen 2? Video Hype: The Stat Line, Chael’s Mom + More

(Props: YouTube.com/UFC)

If you’re a stats geek, this new UFC 148 promo clip will give you a raging nerd-boner. In dissecting the rivalry between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, we learn the following:

– Before his first fight with Sonnen at UFC 117, Anderson Silva had been hit a combined 166 times by his previous 11 UFC opponents. Sonnen landed on him 320 times. (Each of these must have counted as two.)

– Sonnen has actually out-landed all of his opponents in the UFC and WEC. Unfortunately, he’s also allowed 18 serious submission attempts during his UFC fights, which places him 3rd on the all-time list. We’re guessing he’ll never catch up to Melvin Guillard.

– Silva’s triangle/armbar submission of Sonnen 23:10 into their fight was the latest stoppage in UFC history.

– Sonnen’s 34 takedowns in the Octagon place him at #1 among middleweights.

– Sonnen is the “World’s Best Trash Talker,” which has been scientifically proven by the researchers at CompuTrash.

After the jump: Sonnen discusses the training camp support he gets from his mother/co-conspirator, and the full video of Sonnen’s UFC 136 smashing of Brian Stann.


(Props: YouTube.com/UFC)

If you’re a stats geek, this new UFC 148 promo clip will give you a raging nerd-boner. In dissecting the rivalry between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, we learn the following:

– Before his first fight with Sonnen at UFC 117, Anderson Silva had been hit a combined 166 times by his previous 11 UFC opponents. Sonnen landed on him 320 times. (Each of these must have counted as two.)

– Sonnen has actually out-landed all of his opponents in the UFC and WEC. Unfortunately, he’s also allowed 18 serious submission attempts during his UFC fights, which places him 3rd on the all-time list. We’re guessing he’ll never catch up to Melvin Guillard.

– Silva’s triangle/armbar submission of Sonnen 23:10 into their fight was the latest stoppage in UFC history.

– Sonnen’s 34 takedowns in the Octagon place him at #1 among middleweights.

– Sonnen is the “World’s Best Trash Talker,” which has been scientifically proven by the researchers at CompuTrash.

After the jump: Sonnen discusses the training camp support he gets from his mother/co-conspirator, and the full video of Sonnen’s UFC 136 smashing of Brian Stann.

(Props: CageWriter)


(Props: UFCChaelSonnen)

Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen: 5 Reasons Sonnen Will Win

This Saturday night, Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will finally have their long awaited rematch.At UFC 117, the usually unstoppable Silva was beaten by Sonnen for four and a half rounds, but Silva showed why he is one of the best fighters of all-time…

This Saturday night, Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will finally have their long awaited rematch.

At UFC 117, the usually unstoppable Silva was beaten by Sonnen for four and a half rounds, but Silva showed why he is one of the best fighters of all-time when he locked in a triangle with just under two minutes remaining.

Now, Sonnen will have his chance to avenge the loss and get his hands on both Silva and the UFC Middleweight Championship.

Here are five reasons Sonnen will leave Las Vegas on July 7th as champion.

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UFC 148: Why an “Angry” Anderson Silva Won’t Beat Chael Sonnen

“We are getting closer to the time of truth.”Anderson Silva’s words were dead on at the UFC 148 Media Call. The time for talking and excuses are over. At UFC 148, there will be only one man left standing.Will it be Silva or Chael Sonnen?For years, Sonn…

“We are getting closer to the time of truth.”

Anderson Silva‘s words were dead on at the UFC 148 Media Call. The time for talking and excuses are over. At UFC 148, there will be only one man left standing.

Will it be Silva or Chael Sonnen?

For years, Sonnen has attempted to get under Silva’s skin by making outrageously offensive remarks about his family and the entire country of Brazil. While Sonnen was constantly spewing out garbage, Silva sat idly, taking it all in.

It was “The Spider’s” way. Silva has never been one to engage in pre-fight talk. He had always been relatively soft spoken, but then he ran into Sonnen, a man who nearly defeated him a couple of years ago.

At the Media Call, Silva finally lost his cool and let out years of anger and frustration.

“What I’m going to do inside the Octagon is something that’s going to change the image of the sport, I’m sorry. I’m going to beat his ass like he’s never been beaten before. This is going to be violent and I am sorry. I’m going to make sure that every one of his teeth are broken, that his arms are broken and his legs are broken. He’s not going to be able to walk out of the Octagon by himself. I can guarantee that. He will need a plastic surgeon afterwards.”

People can say what they want about Sonnen, but deep down, the world knows there is a layer of truth to what he’s saying. Silva was the victor in the first bout, but Sonnen handed out an incredibly lopsided beating.

The defense for Silva and fans has always pointed to Sonnen being popped for performance-enhancing drugs following the fight. Steroids are banned from athletics for a reason, but those reasons aren’t the explanation to Silva’s performance that night.

People act like Sonnen’s strategy was some brand new wrinkle never shown against Silva. Throughout his entire career, Silva has always had suspect takedown defense.

Dan Henderson utilized his world-class wrestling and handled Silva relatively easily in the first round of their championship scrap back in March 2008.

Unfortunately, Henderson thought it would be wise to deviate from his takedowns in the second round, and he paid the price by getting clipped and submitted by the greatest striker of all time, who also happens to be a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Travis Lutter, a mediocre wrestler with high level BJJ, scored three takedowns in his bout with Silva at UFC 67.

Why wouldn’t Sonnen be able to do the same on a more consistent basis?

A more aggressive approach may not be the answer against Sonnen, a proven wrestler with world class takedowns. Unlike some of Silva’s previous opponents, Sonnen isn’t going to let up on the takedowns.

He prides himself on sticking to his bread and butter.

A super aggressive Silva would only make things easier on the challenger. As great as Silva’s BJJ is, he doesn’t have the wrestling chops to shrug off Sonnen’s takedowns.

If Silva is going to be angry, his game plan will have to be more focused and controlled. He needs to pick his shots on the outside and utilize good footwork to make things difficult on Sonnen when he tries to close the distance.

Whether people choose to believe or not, the writing has been on the wall for years in regards to Silva’s takedown defense, but like a true champion, he always finds a way to win.

Will Silva find a way on Saturday night, or will Sonnen’s takedowns once again prove to be too much for the legendary middleweight?

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 148: Demian Maia vs. Dong Hyun Kim Head-to-Toe Breakdown

After losing to the up-and-coming Chris Weidman at middleweight, Demian Maia feels a move to the welterweight division will be exactly what he needs to be considered a UFC title contender again. In order to prove he’s made the right decision, though, M…

After losing to the up-and-coming Chris Weidman at middleweight, Demian Maia feels a move to the welterweight division will be exactly what he needs to be considered a UFC title contender again. In order to prove he’s made the right decision, though, Maia will have to overcome a tough test in Dong Hyun Kim in his first bout at 170 pounds.

Kim was also on his way toward title contention before suffering a loss to now-interim champion Carlos Condit in July 2011. However, after bouncing back with a victory over Sean Pierson, Kim is prepared to put himself back on a winning streak at Saturday’s UFC 148.

This bout between Maia and Kim is one that could quickly catapult the winner into the mix for a title shot, so let’s take a look at which 170-pound fighter has a better chance of picking up the victory.

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UFC 148: Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin will meet inside the Octagon for the third time this Saturday at UFC 148.Their borderline historic trilogy may be overshadowed by Anderson Silva’s rematch with Chael Sonnen, but if the first two bouts between two of the s…

Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin will meet inside the Octagon for the third time this Saturday at UFC 148.

Their borderline historic trilogy may be overshadowed by Anderson Silva‘s rematch with Chael Sonnen, but if the first two bouts between two of the sport’s most popular fighters showed us anything, this one is going to be close.

Whether it’s Ortiz over Griffin or Griffin over Ortiz, a classic rivalry is finally going to come to a decisive end.

Here’s the initial head-to-toe breakdown.

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