Tag: Wanderlei Silva

Combat Sports: Fan Interactive Piece for the Sports That We Love

Almost every MMA article that is published is about current events in the sport or about a fighter in general. In this article it is all about the people who make this sport possible, the fans.Everyone has their favorite fighters, but when do you truly…

Almost every MMA article that is published is about current events in the sport or about a fighter in general. In this article it is all about the people who make this sport possible, the fans.

Everyone has their favorite fighters, but when do you truly get to talk about it? Well now is the time.

Let’s talk about combat sports. Who is your favorite MMA Fighter? Kick Boxer? Boxer? Tell the world we all want to know. This article will explain who mine are and why. Everyone will have different opinions, and that is why this article is being made.

MMA

Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva is my favorite mixed martial artist. He gives it all he has in every fight and is all about the fans. The generation I grew up in was the mean Wanderlei that was alway ready to hurt someone.

Nowadays he is a changed man. He is still a vicious fighter, but is also more for the fans and is an all around good person. At UFC 132 he will fight Chris Leben in what could be the fight of the decade. So tell me, who is your favorite MMA fighter?

Kick Boxing

Badr “The Golden Boy” Hari is my favorite kick boxer. His style is just so pure. You never know what angle he will attack you from.

At 26 years old, he has more fights than most people who are 35-40. He truly has a who’s who list of victories under his belt in his young career. His most recent fight was against Gregory Tony at “It’s Showtime, Lyon” which took place just a couple of days ago. In that bout it was his first in almost a year and he came out and won. The funny part is that he literally did nothing to obtain the victory and this was arguably his easiest bout to date.

If you do not watch Kick Boxing I highly recommend that you check out Badr Hari. So, who is your favorite Kick Boxer?

Boxing

Juan Manuel Marquez has always been my favorite boxer to watch. He has fought Pacquiao twice, one time being a draw and the other a split decision. He is now slated to face Pacquiao in November. Many people like Pacquiao, which is understandable because I like him as well. Marquez to me has always been a fun guy to watch.

As of late his only losses have been to elite guys, which is why at 37 he is still one of the best pound for pound guys in the world.

Those are just my personal favorite combat sports fighters in the world. Please leave input. I want to know who are your favorites in each category. We all have different views, but we have love for the same sport, so let’s use this to show everyone who we represent.

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UFC 130 Fight Card: Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s Top 10 Career Victories

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is one of the best light heavyweight fighters in the history of the sport; easily in the top 5.Rampage once said he wants to be the highest-paid fighter that the sport had ever seen. It is no secret that he is very much a priz…

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is one of the best light heavyweight fighters in the history of the sport; easily in the top 5.

Rampage once said he wants to be the highest-paid fighter that the sport had ever seen. It is no secret that he is very much a prize fighter, in it for the paycheck.

Now that he has accomplished so much, as a former champion and still a leading Pay Per View draw, fans hope that his motivation does not wane in the face of his upcoming opponent at UFC 130, Matt Hamill.

Hamill is hungry and motivated and has a style very similar to Jackson’s which should result in an explosive bout.

Although Rampage is the favorite heading into the bout, this is not going to be an easy fight for him.

If he wins, will it be one of his top 10 best victories of all time? If it is convincing enough, it certainly could be.

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UFC: Why Mirko "Cro Cop" vs. "Minotauro" Nogueira II Should NOT Happen

Nostalgia can be a funny thing.It plays with the senses, confounds reason, and clouds memory. Like a drug, it impairs proper judgement and good sense in favour of a high that’s progressively harder and harder to achieve.In combat sports, nostalgia is a…

Nostalgia can be a funny thing.

It plays with the senses, confounds reason, and clouds memory. Like a drug, it impairs proper judgement and good sense in favour of a high that’s progressively harder and harder to achieve.

In combat sports, nostalgia is a fun, almost vital part of the fan experience. No sport fosters an emotional fan connection like one-on-one fighting, and that’s a connection that can stay strong in the face of time’s cruel onward march. Time and again, we forget the obvious realities of the fight game while we rally once again around a beloved fight or fighter.

Most of the time, when it comes to fighting, nostalgia is like pissing your pants: sure, it feels all warm and fuzzy while it’s happening, but once it’s over you’re left with a big mess, and an even bigger embarrassment.

Recently, there’s been a lot of talk surrounding a possible rematch between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira at UFC 134 in Brazil. That isn’t really a surprise to me as both men are some of the most legendary figures in all the sport. Their names in a headline will, for good or ill, get fans talking.

No, what surprises me is that the reaction has been largely positive. As in, people actually want to see this fight happen.

So I’m going to go ahead and throw a cold glass of water on those (potential) plans before the sport of MMA finds itself once again with a spreading stain on its pants and an embarrassed look on its face.

I can already hear the howls of the MMA faithful as they pour out of the woodwork to burn me in effigy. How dare I desecrate the names of two of PRIDE’s greatest legends! In fact, if MMA hardcores had a “holy trinity” it would be these two men along with Wanderlei Silva (Fedor having been excommunicated to the M-1 underworld).

But beyond rabid fandom, there is a legitimate argument being put forward for making this fight.

“Both guys are old and past their moment,” the argument goes, “so why not have them square off now in a fun, just for the hell of it fight? What’s the harm?”

It’s ironic, because just last weekend MMA fans were railing against the perceived pointlessness of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley fight. And now, within the space of a few days, here they are calling for a fight that has “pointless” written all over it.

I realize the analogy isn’t a perfect one. Manny Pacquiao is by no means over the hill, and any PPV with his name on it—be it Pacquiao vs. Jose Canseco, Pacquiao vs. Zulu, even Pacquiao vs. His inner doubt—is a cultural event.

But Shane Mosley certainly is. And the perception of this fight from fans top to bottom was that it was a “keep busy” fight, a filler fight for Pac-Man in lieu of a serious, actual, Floyd Mayweather-inclusive fight.

In other words, barring a fluke Mosley win, it was utterly pointless. Boxing fans accepted it, but MMA fans were livid. To paraphrase Gus Johnson, such things don’t happen in MMA.

Yet here we are, talking about dragging a bell-rung and injury plagued Nogueira out for another dance with Mirko Cro Cop’s ghost. I think a large part of this has to do with how unbelievably awesome their first fight was, back in the halcyon days of PRIDE. If you’ve never seen it, then for God’s sake stop reading this article and go watch it! Few fights in all of combat sports have ever been so emotional and dramatic.

In fact, if you had to judge based on this fight alone, you’d be forced to to conclude that Antonio Nogueira is one of the baddest men who ever lived.

And he is. So is Mirko, for that matter. But their moment has passed, and the magic of their first clash will never be duplicated.

Look at what made their first fight so exciting: Mirko’s incredible striking and Antonio’s cast iron chin.

Today, Mirko’s striking consists of high-fiving Pat Barry and absolutely refusing to pull the trigger, while Nog’s iron chin is a thing of the past. In two of his last three, “Minotauro” has been knocked cold by guys who had a reputation for “pillow-fists” BEFORE their fight with him.

Call me crazy, but that doesn’t exactly seem like a recipe for a fun rematch. Instead, it looks like the makings of a classic fistic disaster.

My grandfather served in the air force in the Second World War. My friend’s grandfather served in a similar position in the German Luftwaffe. If they ever actually fought, I guarantee their battle was dramatic, emotional, scary, and pulse-pounding every single second.

If they fought again today, it would be two old men circling each other, tentatively poking each other with their canes.

That’s not a fight I want to see. And neither is Mirko Cro Cop vs. Minotauro Nogueira II.

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On Myths, Men and MMA Legends

At UFC 129, I heard Mike Goldberg say the strangest thing: he called Vladimir Matyushenko a “legend.” Now, I understand that Mike has been prone to say many dubious things, like the time he described Travis Lutter’s Jiu-Jitsu as “Mich…

At UFC 129, I heard Mike Goldberg say the strangest thing: he called Vladimir Matyushenko a “legend.” Now, I understand that Mike has been prone to say many dubious things, like the time he described Travis Lutter’s Jiu-Jitsu as “Michael Jordan-esque.” I also understand that the man is simply trying to hype up fights. But calling Matyushenko a legend? Hold your horses, buddy.

Listen, I have absolutely no problem with Vladimir Matyushenko. The man has a great record (26-5) and has been through some tough fights in his long career. He has had several good battles against the likes of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Tito Ortiz, and Andrei Arlovski, among others. And to continue being competitive at his age? Remarkable.

Still, those achievements are not enough to earn the title of “legend.” His most notable accomplishments are winning the IFL Light Heavyweight championship from someone you’ve never heard of and defending said championship against someone you’ve never heard of.

Let me get to my point: Matyushenko is not a legend, he is a veteran. He’s a veteran the same way Yuki Kondo is a veteran, or Matt Serra (GSP upset withstanding), or even the beloved Fedor’s younger sibling.

To become a legend, you would need to have done something incredible for the sport. Royce Gracie very arguably sowed the roots of MMA to become what it is today. The Shamrock brothers are not just pioneers, they also brought the sport much needed exposure and were incredibly successful during their prime years.

Kazushi Sakuraba was one of the most exciting fighters to watch in Pride, and his victories over notable opposition made him a national hero in Japan. Chuck and Wanderlei held on to their UFC and Pride belts, respectively, for so long we thought they’d never lose them. Today, Anderson Silva’s legacy is secure as we wait for his next move.

Vernon White was a great fighter in his day. Carlos Newton won the UFC welterweight championship once. Renzo Gracie has had some really exciting fights over the years. These men are not legendary. They have been in the sport a long time, have had good success, and, well, that’s it.

To be sure, I don’t believe any of the veterans I have described would call themselves legendary. Aside from Frank Shamrock, most legends are humble and wouldn’t describe themselves as such either. Still, a distinction has to be made between the two. 50 years from now, what will MMA fans be remembering the most: BJ Penn winning belts in two divisions, or Luiz Azeredo’s three fight win streak in the early 2000s? Let’s not give the future something to laugh about when they recall the past and its tendency to bestow titles on the undeserving.

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UFC 132 Main Card: Wanderlei Silva Is Preparing for a "Bloody Fight" at UFC 132

Wanderlei Silva will make his anticipated return to the Octagon following a string of injuries that have kept him on the shelf since last year. The former Pride FC star is a legend in mixed martial arts and will look to improve on his already-esta…

Wanderlei Silva will make his anticipated return to the Octagon following a string of injuries that have kept him on the shelf since last year. 

The former Pride FC star is a legend in mixed martial arts and will look to improve on his already-established legacy against Chris Leben at UFC 132. 

While he is not recognized as the most technically proficient striker, Silva intends to bring a fight to his opponent when he competes, whether he wins or loses.

And although he understands the fact that he is nowhere near title contention, that is not his motivation. 

“This comeback, is really to prove to you all, that there’s always a way,” Silva said in a recent video blog, courtesy of DoggedTV. “So this comeback is really important.”

At 34 years old, Silva is certainly on the downside of his career; going 2-3 in his last five fights. 

However at UFC 132 Silva is motivated to return and views his opponent, Chris Leben, of having a similar style as him.  

“My next opponent, Chris Leben, is a brave guy who comes to fight,” Silva said of his opponent.

While preparing for Leben, Silva said the only advantage he might hold over his opponent is speed. Other than that, there is not much else to compare. Both men prefer to stand and trade, as it has been a successful trait for them in past fights, and it motivates the Brazilian to perform to the best of his ability.

“I’m preparing for a lot. I’m preparing for a bloody fight.  He has a good chin; I know I must be prepared to beat on him for three rounds.” 

UFC 132 will take place on July 2nd, live from the MGM Grand from Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Video: Wanderlei Silva Calls His Bout Against Leben The First of His ‘Comeback’ and Says He Thought About Calling It Quits

Looking back at Wanderlei Silva’s multiple wars of attrition he’s slugged through in his career it’s easy to forget that “The Axe Murderer” is as intelligent and well spoken as he is.

The video above does a good job of reminding us.

Looking back at Wanderlei Silva’s multiple wars of attrition he’s slugged through in his career it’s easy to forget that “The Axe Murderer” is as intelligent and well spoken as he is.

The video above does a good job of reminding us.

Set to face  fellow brawler Chris Leben at UFC 132 on July 2 after more than a year on the shelf spent rehabbing a knee injury, Silva recently shot the latest episode of his ongoing web documentary series recently while preparing for the bout and he spoke about the uphill battle of returning to the Octagon after surgery.

According to Wand, he thought for a minute about making an exit from the sport, but his fans and his burning desire to compete quashed the notion. Silva says he’s looking at his bout with Leben as the first step towards a comeback that he hopes will lead to him getting back to the upper echelon of the sport where he stood for many years while fighting for PRIDE.

“First I want to thank God for giving me motivation to keep training and to come back. This fight for me is really important. There were moments of doubt if I was ever going to come back. God really motivated me by giving me so many friends who helped me throughout the way,” Silva explains. “This comeback is to prove to you all that there’s always a way. Man, we have to put in the effort. We have to work hard. I don’t really know what I’m going to do when I stop fighting. Thanks to god there is lots of things to be done, but my life is to fight. I like being inside the Octagon. Inside the Octagon is where I really feel the energy of the fans.”

He says that, contrary to popular belief, being a fighter isn’t all partying with celebrities and driving expensive rides. It’s about struggle, hard work and perseverance.

“Fighters go through a lot. Many of the things that I’ve been through — keeping a job, injury, not making any money fighting, bills to pay and still fighting for that dream, raining, going to the gym every day… MMA is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. In MMA it’s impossible to become successful quickly,” he points out. “Without a [high] skill level you won’t be successful, especially today where you can see amateurs fighting like professionals. So this comeback is really important. It’s times like these you call it, ‘warrior time.’”

A perpetual fan favorite, Wand says that the messages and words of encouragement he received from his fans, who he prefers to call ‘friends,’ gave him the fortitude to keep training and working towards mounting his comeback.

“You guys who send me messages every day, sending me good vibes — every sentence I read each day is a great help and touches my heart. My fans are really amazing. That’s why I say, ‘I don’t have fans, I have friends.’ You guys give me great strength,” Silva says. “You made easier this time of recovery. It was hard, but you guys made it go by faster. Thanks to all of you. Now this is a thing of ‘ours.’”