Tag: UFC 183

UFC 183: A Win over Nick Diaz Should Not Garner Anderson Silva a Title Shot

Anderson Silva is a major star within mixed martial arts. His status as a legend was cemented with a title reign that included 10 defenses of the UFC Middleweight Championship and 16 straight wins in the Octagon. However, returning to competition at UF…

Anderson Silva is a major star within mixed martial arts. His status as a legend was cemented with a title reign that included 10 defenses of the UFC Middleweight Championship and 16 straight wins in the Octagon. However, returning to competition at UFC 183 has created an interesting wrinkle. Even though Silva is a name that the sport has come to love, he should not be granted a title shot with a victory over Nick Diaz.

In an interview on UFC Tonight, UFC President Dana White mentioned Silva’s name as a potential contender if he is able to defeat the Stockton, California, native on Saturday (via Sherdog’s Tristen Critchfield):

“2015 is starting off with amazing fights. It’s the best January in the company’s history. And all these fights lead to bigger fights. You’ve got Vitor Belfort versus Chris Weidman, then Anderson. If Anderson wins, he can fight the winner of either Vitor or Weidman.”

That statement causes some serious issues within the middleweight division, all of which point to the idea that even though Silva is a major draw in the promotion, he should not be placed in such a position at this time.

First, there is the question as to how this development will hold up the rest of the division. Currently, the UFC has Silva ranked at No. 1. Right behind him is Ronaldo Souza, who is on a four-fight win streak.

Even though he has been very impressive since moving over to the UFC from Strikeforce, Souza finds himself in a place to be passed over by Silva. This move is based on more entertainment than sporting value. Souza‘s manager, Gilberto Faria, made mention of the situation in a recent report by Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com:

It’s up to the top fighters of the division like Ronaldo ‘Jacare,’ Yoel Romero, Lyoto Machida and Luke Rockhold, who are going after their chances for the title, to when they fight, change Dana’s mind. That can happen at any time. I believe ‘Jacare’ is, today, the fighter with the most credentials to earn a title shot, and a win over a tough fighter like Yoel Romero will prove that.

Unfortunately for Souza, a bout with pneumonia has forced him to withdraw from the fight against Yoel Romero at UFC 184. His absence creates an opening for Silva to slide in as the No. 1 contender. Men such as Romero and Luke Rockhold should feel slighted because they have been more active and successful than Silva in recent months.

Secondly, one must question the value of a win over Nick Diaz. Diaz is also coming off of two straight losses and a lengthy absence from competition. Plus, he has spent most of his career as a welterweight, where his best examples of success occurred in promotions other than the UFC. A win over him, even if it is a highlight-reel knockout, should not be enough to earn a shot at a title in which Diaz himself is not considered a contender.

Beyond that point, Diaz himself has not been promised the same reward should he pull off the upset at UFC 183.

Mixed martial arts is a professional sport and like any other: Entertainment value is a main drive toward the bottom line. Fighters who are able to draw attention to the sport will see more opportunities than those who can’t do the same.

Anderson Silva is one of those fighters. If he defeats Nick Diaz at UFC 183, the powers behind the scenes may grant him a title shot, even if there are other men more deserving.

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UFC 183: Early Predictions for Silva vs. Diaz Main Event

Can Anderson Silva recapture the aura of invincibility that made him one of the greatest champions in MMA history?
That question will be answered on January 31 when he takes on Nick Diaz at UFC 183. 
If this bout were taking place two years ago, p…

Can Anderson Silva recapture the aura of invincibility that made him one of the greatest champions in MMA history?

That question will be answered on January 31 when he takes on Nick Diaz at UFC 183. 

If this bout were taking place two years ago, predicting the outcome of this matchup would be a no-brainer. Silva’s brand of precise counterstriking would be the perfect foil to Nick Diaz‘s forward style, which throws caution to the wind. 

However, coming off back-to-back losses, a gruesome injury and the inevitable aging that comes with being 39 years old, this bout is more intriguing now. Here’s a look at what to expect when two of the organization’s most exciting fighters step in the cage. 

 

When: Saturday, Jan. 31

Start Time: Fight Pass prelims at 7 p.m. ET (subscription required); Fox Sports 1 prelims at 8 p.m. ET; main card pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

Live Stream: UFC.tv

 

 Odds via Odds Shark as of Jan. 25, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. ET

 

Fight Preview

The thing that makes this bout must-see TV is the same thing that makes it difficult to predict. When it comes to both fighters, there are more questions than answers right now.

The Spider has already sealed his place on MMA’s Mount Rushmore. His reign as middleweight champion is among the most dominant of all time. His highlight reel is among the most devastating resumes of anyone.

However, fans will watch him try to do something he’s never done in the UFC: successfully come back from a loss. For his part, Silva appears to be confident that his injury woes are behind him.

“The training for the fight is the same,” Silva said on a conference call via Jeremy Botter of the Houston Chronicle and Bleacher Report. “My leg is good now. I train hard now. I don’t talk more for this, because this is the past.”

Silva has even gone as far as to post multiple videos of him training on his Instagram:

However, it’s impossible to tell just how close to 100 percent Silva will be when he actually steps into the cage. To throw kicks freely in training is one thing, but to have full confidence to throw them against a live opponent is quite another. How Silva has overcome his injury mentally will reveal just how dangerous he can be after more than a year away from the Octagon.

As it just so happens, the UFC chose the perfect opponent to test where Silva is as a striker in Nick Diaz. The Stockton bad boy has never run away from exchanging with an opponent. The former welterweight title challenger’s 5.63 significant strikes landed per round is indicative of his penchant for slugging it out.

Diaz has always been a divisive fighter. His in-cage and out-of-cage antics either make him a heel or a hero depending on who you ask. But one thing is certain: He will bring the pressure.

Whether Silva is still the analytic counterstriker that he’s always been will determine what happens in this bout.

 

Prediction

The thing about predicting any bout featuring Nick Diaz is that he’s a unique fighter. Very few fighters are able to sustain the pressure and pace that he can over the course of a five-round fight. It’s a style that former opponent Georges St-Pierre feels could give Silva trouble, per Chael Sonnen’s podcast (h/t Damon Martin of Fox Sports):

He brings a different intensity that you’ve never seen before. You feel like you’re claustrophobic and you lose a lot of energy because he’s constantly pushing you forward and it’s very hard to fight a guy like him. Especially in the later rounds.

[…]

I believe that Diaz is very good in boxing. I believe a lot of his training is pure boxing. He’s probably the best boxer in mixed martial arts. If you make the fight a boxing fight, I believe he’s going to win.

It’s hard to disagree with someone like GSP. After all, he’s been in the cage with Diaz. But it isn’t as though he’s the same kind of striker as Silva.

Whereas the Canadian star is an aggressive striker who needs to get off first in an exchange, Silva has always been a more pure counterstriker. Diaz is used to bringing the fights to opponents, but he’s struggled against the footwork and technical prowess of Carlos Condit and GSP.

Diaz‘s volume means he can wear opponents out, but it also means more openings for The Spider to launch his own counterassault.

Leg injury and old age or not, there aren’t many who have survived a well-placed counterstrike. Expect Silva to return emphatically.

Silva via third-round TKO

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UFC 183: 7 Reasons to Watch Silva vs. Diaz Fight Card

We all know what UFC 183 is about.
It will mark the return of the greatest fighter in the history of the sport.
Draped with sensational accolades and unparalleled talent, former UFC middleweight kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva will once again step …

We all know what UFC 183 is about.

It will mark the return of the greatest fighter in the history of the sport.

Draped with sensational accolades and unparalleled talent, former UFC middleweight kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva will once again step foot inside of the Octagon.

His journey has been full of memorable ups and egregious downs, but the Brazilian knockout artist is set to put aside recent championship defeats and an unlikely leg injury to make one more run at divisional gold.

But that isn’t the only storyline this Saturday in Las Vegas.

As a matter of fact, there are many more.

Here are reasons to tune in for some fast-paced fights on one of the busiest sports weekends of the year.

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UFC 183’s Kelvin Gastelum: A Long Shot No More

Kelvin Gastelum has gone by many names during his brief UFC tenure.
On The Ultimate Fighter, he was a long shot and then a surprise winner, which in turn made him a prospect. When he moved down to welterweight and quickly finished Brian Melancon, he be…

Kelvin Gastelum has gone by many names during his brief UFC tenure.

On The Ultimate Fighter, he was a long shot and then a surprise winner, which in turn made him a prospect. When he moved down to welterweight and quickly finished Brian Melancon, he became a dark horse before wins over Rick Story, Nico Musoke and Jake Ellenberger made him a bona fide title threat.

Now, the 23-year-old Yuma, Arizona native is looking to add pick up another tag: No. 1 contender. 

Gastelum has answered every challenge thrown his way, and four consecutive victories inside the Octagon have him knocking on the door of much bigger things. UFC President Dana White has recently stated the 23-year-old Yuma-based fighter could earn a title shot with a victory over Tyron Woodley at UFC 183 on Saturday, which means Gastelum has traveled a long way in his two years competing on the biggest stage in MMA.

The UFC front man’s comments and an undefeated record with victories over the seasoned talents of Rick Story and Jake Ellenberger have taken Gastelum from the ranks of the relatively unknown to a vaunted position on the welterweight divisional hierarchy. When the amount of talent the UFC has in the 170-pound weight class is taken into consideration, it becomes clear what Gastelum has accomplished in such a short amount of time is an impressive accomplishment. 

He is the proverbial new kid in town and also believes—at least up to this point—he’s the guy no one sees coming. Gastelum knows he has earned some respect among his peers, but doesn’t believe past opponents had any idea what they were truly in for. And that’s just fine by him. In fact, Gastelum hopes that his future opponents will also make that mistake.

“I think a lot of these guys underestimate me,” Gastelum told Bleacher Report. “They look at me and kind of see this kid who is trying to come up. But they don’t realize how strong I am or how fast I am until we get in there together. They don’t realize how athletic I can be. I also don’t believe I’ve been able to showcase my full potential inside the Octagon so that’s why these guys don’t really know.”

When it comes to expanding his skill set and developing to reach his full potential, Gastelum is willing to push himself in the name of progression. Where other fighters are willing to take things at a measured pace, the TUF 17 winner has sought out the best in the world at his weight class in search of the best education imaginable. That said, training with elite-level fighters provides a gauge for Gastelum to see where his talents currently stand, and where they have the ability go through hard work and dedication.

Progress is what matters most in Gastelum‘s mind and he believes he has what it takes to become the UFC welterweight champion.

“I’ve been trying out different camps since I started training,” Gastelum said. “I’ve been over with Georges St-Pierre in Montreal and over to Team Take Down with Johny Hendricks. I try to learn from these guys and see what separates them from the rest. Honestly, I have all the attributes to be right there with them. I just have to put in that work and work harder than everybody else. I’ve seen it. I’ve trained with them, and I know deep inside that I can get to that level.

 “I’m learning so much every day and every fight is just a huge learning experience for me. Every fight I’ve had I feel like I’ve elevated my game. With every fight I’ve taken a step up in competition and I’ve stepped up to the plate to answer every one of those challenges. I just feel like I elevate my game and grow as both a fighter and a person. Whenever you guys see me inside the Octagon I’m learning so much and enjoying the ride.”

Although Gastelum has answered every subsequent challenge he’s faced inside the Octagon more impressively than the last, his upcoming bout against Tyron Woodley will hold a different set of circumstances. “The Chosen One” has dangerous power in his hands and has proven to be one of the best fighters in the 170-pound division. With the UFC President suggesting Gastelum could earn a title shot with a victory at UFC 183, that makes the matchup with Woodley the most high profile bout of his young career.

Gastelum appreciates the weight of the moment and welcomes any pressure it may bring. He’s a fighter who thrives when the stakes are high and he believes he will answer the challenge once again when the cage door closes at UFC 183.

“This fight against Woodley could do a lot of things for me,” Gastelum said. “A win over Woodley could skyrocket me to the top of the welterweight division, and this fight makes all the difference in the world. This fight will be the beginning of something new and something big for me. I know that for sure.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise. 

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UFC on Fox 14 Results: 10 Burning Questions Heading into UFC 183

UFC on Fox 14 is in the books. The results are as follows:
 
UFC on Fox 14 Main Card

Anthony Johnson def. Alexander Gustafsson, TKO (Round 1, 2:15)

Gegard Mousasi def. Dan Henderson, TKO (Round 1, 1:10)
Ryan Bader def. Phil Davis, split decision…

UFC on Fox 14 is in the books. The results are as follows:

 

UFC on Fox 14 Main Card

  • Anthony Johnson def. Alexander Gustafsson, TKO (Round 1, 2:15)
  • Gegard Mousasi def. Dan Henderson, TKO (Round 1, 1:10)
  • Ryan Bader def. Phil Davis, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Sam Sicilia def. Akira Corassani, knockout (Round 1, 3:26)

 

Preliminary Card (on Fox Sports 1)

  • Albert Tumenov def. Nico Musoke, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Kenny Robertson def. Sultan Aliev, TKO (Round 1, 2:42)
  • Makwan Amirkhani def. Andy Ogle, TKO (Round 1, 0:08)
  • Nikita Krylov def. Stanislav Nedkov, submission (Round 1, 1:24)
  • Mairbek Taisumov def. Anthony Christodoulou, TKO (Round 2, 0:38)
  • Mirsad Bektic def. Paul Redmond, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)

 

Preliminary Card (on UFC Fight Pass)

  • Viktor Pesta def. Konstantin Erokhin, unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Neil Seery def. Chris Beal, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

 

Next up? The super-awesome UFC 183 on Jan. 31. 

With a foundation built with legitimate contenders like Sara McMann, Kelvin Gastelum, Ian McCall and John Lineker, the event sports an amazingly fun headliner in two returning stars, Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz.

There is a whole lot to be excited for here, and for the first time in a long time, our “Burning Questions” segment is back into double-digit slides.

So who and what should you keep an eye on until Saturday? Find out right here!

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Anderson Silva Explains Why He’s Upset with Lyoto Machida, ‘Jacare’ Souza

Anderson “The Spider” Silva is not pleased with fellow UFC middleweights and Brazilian countrymen Lyoto Machida and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. 
Speaking on a UFC 183 pre-fight media call on Thursday evening, Silva expressed his disappointment with ea…

Anderson “The Spider” Silva is not pleased with fellow UFC middleweights and Brazilian countrymen Lyoto Machida and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. 

Speaking on a UFC 183 pre-fight media call on Thursday evening, Silva expressed his disappointment with each man’s willingness to accept a fight against him. 

“Jacare is my friend, Lyoto is my friend, but all the time the guys don’t talk the same as me,” Silva said. “When I go to talk to people in the media, I say, ‘I’m not going to fight Lyoto because he’s my friend. I’m not going to fight Jacare because he’s my friend.’ But when those guys go to talk to (the) media, Lyoto says, ‘I’ll go fight Anderson…’ Jacare is the same, ‘I’ll go fight (Anderson) because I’m a fighter.'” 

The reporter on the line at the time, Fox Sports’ Damon Martin, followed up and asked Silva if this bothered or upset him. Silva’s response reinforced his disappointment. 

“Yeah, absolutely (it upsets me),” Silva said. “I go and train with guys, I go help you. I go help the guys. I put (my energy) into helping guys. When guys talk like this, I’m very, very, very disappointed…This is a sport, the guys stay in the UFC for fights, but I don’t like to fight Brazilian guys.”

Silva’s feelings are somewhat well-founded. 

On one side, Machida said he’d fight Silva as recently as January of this year. Jacare, meanwhile, has repeatedly said he’s not 100 percent open to fighting The Spider. 

Making the situation even murkier, Silva went on record in March 2014 saying he would, in fact, fight either Machida or Jacare (h/t MMAFighting.com’s Guilherme Cruz). 

Pump the brakes. 

The quote sounds catchy at first, but Silva’s answer came as a response to Machida‘s and Souza‘s sentiments. 

“In every interview they (Machida and Souza) gave, they said they would fight (me), so I can’t be any different,” Silva said. 

Unfortunately for Silva, a fight with Machida or Souza might make sense moving forward. All three men are firmly in the top-10 of the division, and a bout, especially if the title becomes involved, might be inevitable. 

For now, Silva will need to focus on his Jan. 31 bout with Nick Diaz and cross that bridge when—or if—he comes to it. 

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