Call Chris Weidman’s recent words to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva by whatever name fits, but ask yourself a very important question: Is the undefeated Weidman, who returns from almost a year-long layoff to challenge for Silva’s title, …
Call Chris Weidman‘s recent words to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva by whatever name fits, but ask yourself a very important question: Is the undefeated Weidman, who returns from almost a year-long layoff to challenge for Silva’s title, inside the head of “The Spider”?
The answer to that question may depend on what qualifies as getting inside Silva’s head. Weidman declared his confidence in his abilities and said he would defeat Silva where others previously fell. He expressed a faith in his takedown defense and his ability to out-strike the veteran striker—something which few can claim in bouts with the Brazilian.
On the surface, this doesn’t necessarily mean anything Weidman said got under Silva’s skin. Therefore, it must mean he didn’t get in Silva’s head, right? He didn’t take any pot-shots at Silva, nor did he insult his home country or the caliber of fighters he trains with. In essence, he said everything that title challengers normally say before they challenge for a world title.
However, while Weidman didn’t say much more than that he would leave UFC 162 with the UFC middleweight title, he still found his way into Silva’s head. Any time a challenger claims that he will dethrone a champion, he becomes the central point of the champion’s focus.
The champion may respect his challenger, but he will still look to retain his title and defeat the person looking to take away the very item that signifies himself as the undisputed best fighter in his weight class. In only his 10th pro fight, Weidman will look to make the most of the “perfect scenario,” so to speak, when he meets Silva this weekend.
With that being said, don’t expect Silva to hand Weidman the belt on a silver platter. The champion will be looking for his 11th successful title defense on Saturday, and even when he comes in at less than 100 percent, he always comes in looking to dominate when someone comes after his belt. Weidman will not prove easy for Silva, but the champion will come in focused and prepared to show why he still sits atop the middleweight division this weekend.
Whether he keeps the belt or not remains a question for Saturday night, but if Weidman does what he needs to do in order to stifle Silva, he will create the upset of the year.
For the first time in a while, UFC middleweight champion, Anderson “The Spider” Silva (33-4) is facing a challenger with a legitimate shot a beating him. Chris “All-American” Weidman (9-0) is a respected and well-rounded fighter set to challenge the le…
For the first time in a while, UFC middleweight champion, Anderson “The Spider” Silva (33-4) is facing a challenger with a legitimate shot a beating him. Chris “All-American” Weidman (9-0) is a respected and well-rounded fighter set to challenge the legend at UFC 162 in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Weidman talks about his monumental clash with arguably the greatest MMA fighter in history:
That bout alone is enough to make the event worth a look, but the card will also feature other potentially exciting fights. Here is the information you need to watch the event, the full fight card with predictions and analysis for some of the most compelling matchups.
(An asterisk in the prediction section indicates deeper analysis is written below the fight card.)
The Crippler Has Another Good Performance Left in Him
Without a doubt, Chris Leben has seen his best days come and go, but sometimes an aging fighter can catch a break by being matched with an opponent who doesn’t highlight his deficiencies.
We saw it when Wanderlei Silva knocked out Brian Stann at UFC on Fuel TV 8 in March. We’ll see it again when Leben defeats Andrew Craig on Saturday. The Crippler probably won’t stop Craig, but the the former still has formidable power that will set up his underrated ground game in this fight.
Leben discusses his training and upcoming opponent:
Craig has never really been extremely impressive, despite his shiny 8-1 record. He would probably have at least one more loss were it not for Rafael Natal’s carelessness in their bout in July 2012. Natal was outfighting Craig until he lost focus and was stopped with a head kick.
Leben is too experienced to fall victim to a lack of focus, and Craig can’t expose Leben’s diminished speed. Leben will win a decision.
Tim Kennedy Won’t Be Intimidated by Gracie Mystique
Two Strikeforce veterans will make their UFC debuts in this intriguing battle.
Roger Gracie is perhaps the most physically gifted of the Gracie family. At 6’4″ he has excellent height for the middleweight division, but his submission-dominant style won’t be effective against Kennedy.
The latter is an accomplished submissions artist in his own right. More than half of his 15 professional wins have come via submission, including his most recent victory, over Trevor Smith.
Gracie hasn’t displayed the ability to strike on the same level as Kennedy. In fact, in Gracie’s lone professional loss, Mohammed Lawal knocked him out with a vicious overhand right.
Kennedy’s power isn’t as explosive as Lawal‘s, but he should have the quickness advantage in stand-up exchanges. Kennedy will likely capture rounds with his work in these situations and hold his own if the fight goes to the ground.
Frankie “The Answer” Edgar Will Stop His Losing Streak
Believe it or not, the great Frankie Edgar has lost three straight fights. That sounds a lot worse than it actually is considering the level of competition he’s faced. Throughout his eventual Hall of Fame career, Edgar has proven that to beat him, you must be elite.
Take a look at the combined record and accomplishments of the men who can say they got the best of The Answer:
Benson Henderson, Jose Aldo and Gray Maynard are the only men to defeat Edgar.
Charles Oliveira is a talented young fighter, but he isn’t ready to join this prestigious list. He proved his vulnerability against a solid striker in his recent loss to Cub Swanson. Edgar’s quickness and work rate will overwhelm Oliveira in the stand-up game.
The young Brazilian may have a better shot taking the fight to the ground, but Edgar will stave off those attempts to earn a unanimous-decision victory.
The Spider Will Catch Another in His Web
Silva fans should be concerned, but not too worried. It’s true, Weidman is the type of fighter who could give Silva a serious challenge. He has the physicality that ChaelSonnen possesses as a grappler, but he’s a more coordinated athlete, which makes him a better striker.
That said, he can’t beat Silva if he doesn‘t smother him from the beginning of the fight. As good as Weidman can be as a striker (he stopped Mark Munoz and Uriah Hall in his career), he would be playing into Silva’s hands if he attempts to stand and strike with him.
If he’s successful taking the legend to the mat, he must still be wary of allowing himself to fall victim to Silva’s formidable submission skills.
There are a ton of things for Weidman to consider in this fight, and he’s never been on a stage this big. Silva has been fighting these types of fights for years. He’s headlined every UFC event he’s been in for the last three years.
Silva’s time to give way to a young lion may be coming, but it won’t happen on Saturday night. Look for Weidman to try to prove himself the superior striker and for Silva to remind him how dangerous his knees can be.
The spider will retain his title with a KO victory.
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UFC 162 is coming at you like a bat out of hell and will top off a UFC weekend that will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, weekends of the year. Anderson Silva headlines the card and will be taking on top prospect and contender Chris Weid…
UFC 162 is coming at you like a bat out of hell and will top off a UFC weekend that will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, weekends of the year. Anderson Silva headlines the card and will be taking on top prospect and contender Chris Weidman for Silva’s golden strap.
With so many cards lately having fights that are not evenly matched, this fight card brings great debate and good matchups. From a featherweight tilt between Dennis Siver and Cub Swanson to a middleweight debate between Tim Kennedy and Roger Gracie, experts and analysts do not have a unanimous verdict on who will take what fight.
Bleacher Report now presents to you its main card picks. The experts have come together to give you further insight on UFC 162’s main card. Without further ado, Scott Harris, Sean Smith, Craig Amos, James MacDonald and myself, Riley Kontek, give you our UFC 162 picks.
On Saturday, July 6 the UFC will end its three-week break by presenting UFC 162 in its home town of Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight card will be anchored by a middleweight title fight between champion Anderson Silva and top contender Chris Weidman….
On Saturday, July 6 the UFC will end its three-week break by presenting UFC 162 in its home town of Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight card will be anchored by a middleweight title fight between champion Anderson Silva and top contender Chris Weidman.
The pay-per-view portion of the card is stacked with fights that could have repercussions for both the featherweight and middleweight divisions.
In order to get you ready for Saturday’s event, we have put together a primer on things you need to know heading into the fight card.
Full Fight Card Odds
Anderson Silva -250 favorite over Chris Weidman +195
Frankie Edgar -550 favorite over Charles Oliveira +375
Cub Swanson -240 favorite over Dennis Siver +190
Tim Kennedy -145 favorite over Roger Gracie +115
Mark Munoz -130 favorite over Tim Boetsch +100
Andrew Craig -150 favorite over Chris Leben +120
Norman Parke -190 favorite over KazukiTokudome +155
Gabriel Gonzaga -240 favorite over Dave Herman +190
EdsonBarboza -550 favorite over Rafaello Oliveira +375
Seth Baczynski -300 favorite over Brian Melancon +230
Mike Pierce -650 favorite over David Mitchell +425
*Odds via Bovada
UFC 162 Extended Video Preview
UFC 162 Main Card Tale of the Tape
Anderson Silva
Chris Weidman
Record:
33-4-0
9-0-0
Avg Fight Time
9:07
8:44
Height
6’2″
6’2″
Weight
185 lbs.
185 lbs.
Reach
77.5″
78.0″
Age
38
29
Frankie Edgar
Charles Oliveira
Record:
14-4-1
16-3-0
Avg Fight Time
18:18
4:37
Height
5’6″
5’10”
Weight
145 lbs.
145 lbs.
Reach
72.0″
73.0″
Age
31
23
Roger Gracie
Tim Kennedy
Record:
15-4-0
6-1-0
Avg Fight Time
12:24
8:16
Height
5’11”
6’4″
Weight
185 lbs.
185 lbs.
Reach
74.0″
79.0″
Age
33
31
Tim Boetsch
Mark Munoz
Record:
12-3-0
16-5-0
Avg Fight Time
8:12
10:51
Height
6’0″
6’0″
Weight
185 lbs.
185 lbs.
Reach
71.0″
74.0″
Age
35
32
Dennis Siver
Cub Swanson
Record:
19-5-0
21-8-0
Avg Fight Time
9:16
9:40
Height
5’7″
5’7″
Weight
145 lbs.
145 lbs.
Reach
70.0″
70.0″
Age
29
34
UFC 162 Main Card Key Stats
Anderson Silva’s striking accuracy: 67 percent
Chris Weidman’s takedown average: 4.47 per 15 minutes
Frankie Edgar’s striking defense: 72 Percent
Charles Oliveira’s submission average: 3.65 per 15 minutes
Roger Gracie’s takedown defense: 100 Percent
Tim Kennedy’s striking accuracy: 49 Percent
Tim Boetsch’s striking accuracy: 54.4 Percent
Mark Munoz’s stoppage victories: Seven striking stoppages
Cub Swanson’s striking accuracy: 48 Percent
Dennis Siver’s featherweight record 222 landed strikes versus Nam Phan
On July 6, 2013, at UFC 162, former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will face off against a game opponent in Charles Oliveira (16-3). Now, as the No. 3 featherweight in the world, Edgar (15-4) will attempt to return to his winning ways by defeat…
On July 6, 2013, at UFC 162, former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will face off against a game opponent in Charles Oliveira (16-3). Now, as the No. 3 featherweight in the world, Edgar (15-4) will attempt to return to his winning ways by defeating his Brazilian counterpart in Las Vegas, Nevada.
If Oliveira is successful at UFC 162, he will most likely earn himself a spot as a top-10 contender and extend Edgar’s losing streak to four in a row. If Edgar continues his losing ways, the one-time lightweight champion may find himself working for another organization following UFC 162.
Edgar’s Obstacle
Edgar, famous for his heart and ability to win against larger opponents, understands the obstacle that he faces at UFC 162. Oliveira is tall for his division (5’10”), and his strikes are precise and quick. He is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist. He sports three Submission of the Night awards and boasts nine submissions to his credit.
He’s tough. He’s dangerous. Probably the tallest guy I may have ever fought. He’s got pretty good Muay Thai. He mixes it up well with kicks, knees, elbows. He’s got a slick submission game. He’s willing to go from (sic) broke to go for submissions.
However, Edgar is also renowned for his takedown defense. He has never been submitted in his professional career. To that, in his interview with the UFC, the New Jersey native continued:
For him to be able to take the fight to the ground, he has to be able to take me down. As long as I can defend takedowns pretty well, I can keep the fight standing or I can end up on top.
Heading into UFC 162, Edgar is a heavy favorite. Along with never having been submitted in a single bout, he has also never been knocked out. Edgar’s four losses were hard-fought wars, two of which earned Fight of the Night honors.
A Must-Win for Edgar
Despite Edgar’s fighting warrior spirit, the New Jersey native has lost all of his last three fights. His losses, accompanied by also having fought and lost to the division’s featherweight king, Jose Aldo, make his matchup against Oliveira all the more significant.
Therefore, at UFC 162, a win for Edgar is a must. A fourth straight loss would drop Edgar down the featherweight totem pole, destroy his championship title hopes and leave him vulnerable to being released by the largest mixed martial arts organization in the world—the UFC.
There’s always a chance something exciting will happen whenever lightweight striker Edson Barboza is fighting. From his first day in the UFC when he brutalized Mike Lullo with a series of leg kicks to his fight-of-the-night war against Anthony Njokuan…
There’s always a chance something exciting will happen whenever lightweight striker EdsonBarboza is fighting.
From his first day in the UFC when he brutalized Mike Lullo with a series of leg kicks to his fight-of-the-night war against Anthony Njokuani, Barboza has gained quite a reputation for flashy standup and serious power from all angles.
Barboza proved it even more when he uncorked one of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history with his spinning wheel kick that absolutely flattened British fighter Terry Etim.The knockout landed on every UFC highlight reel, and remains one of the most talked about finishes to ever happen in the sport.
But being a striker with lightning quick knockouts isn’t why Barboza is doing MMA, much less why he worked so hard to make it to the UFC.He doesn’t want to be known only for a few highlights—he wants to be remembered as one of the best.
“I got much more experience since my first fight. The desire to be the champion steadily increasing,” Barboza told Bleacher Reprot. “Today I know I can become the champion.”
To attain the training to truly reach the top levels of the sport, Barboza had to travel out of his comfort zone and begin working with fighters that would push his own limits and make him better in the areas where he was weakest.
So Barboza picked up and moved to New Jersey to join the team led by former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Now the two are fast friends, helping each other every step of the way as Barboza hopes to one day hold the gold belt Edgar once wore proudly.
“I moved my whole camp training from Florida to New Jersey. Now, I train with Frankie Edgar and Ricardo Almeida’s team. Up here I found not only partners and coaches, but also really good friends. The training over here fit exactly with my game. I have been learning everyday during my camp and I can also help out my partners. We help each other in each training,” Barboza said.“Then, I was feeling really good in my last fight. I was feeling much better and confident. I knew that I learned a lot during my training. It was very nice to bring this victory with this team by my side.
“They are my team now. I have been work with them since the last fight of Frankie against Ben Henderson. As I said I found the coaches and partners that I was needing to be by my side. We work really well together.”
As much as Barboza is learning from Edgar and his fellow teammates, he knows he still has an arsenal on the feet that few can match in the UFC.If any fighter stays standing with the former Muay Thai champion for very long, it’s probably going to end badly for them.
The scariest part about Barboza‘s striking game? He hasn’t even shown off everything he knows yet.
“There are a lot of good strikers in the UFC lightweight division. I think I am one of the best strikers in my division,” Barboza said.“I know I can show much more of my striking game.”
Next up is the challenge ahead at UFC 162 where he will fight on the same card as his friend and training partner Frankie Edgar.It’s just another rung up the ladder for Barboza as he tries to step closer and closer towards the top 10 of the division, and then eventually get to a position where he can compete for a title.
“I want to be the champion,” Barboza said.“I will do my best to make it happen.”
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
For the first time in a while, UFC middleweight champion, Anderson “The Spider” Silva (33-4) is facing a challenger with a legitimate shot a beating him. Chris “All-American”