UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen Aug. 7 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. UFC Middleweight Championship Anderson Silva (No. 1 MW, No. 1 PFP) vs. Chael Sonnen (No. 2 MW) Jon Fitch (No. 2 WW, No. 5 PFP) vs. Thiago Alves (No. 3 WW)* Junior dos Santos (No. 6 HW) vs. Roy Nelson * Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida Dustin Hazelett vs. Rick Story * Ben Saunders vs. Dennis Hallman * Clay Guida vs. Rafael dos Anjos Johny Hendricks vs. Charlie Brenneman * * - Matchup has not been officially announced. If all these bouts come off, this is a good good card.:bears:
Personally, I love the card, but to me it looks like one that after watching, most people, especially around here, will be disappointed with. Other than the JDS\Nelson fight, most of the other fights look to take place on the ground, filled more with wrestling and bjj then standup. And I'm sure Big Roy would rather take JDS to the ground then stand and trade with him. And really, who knows what you're gonna get from Anderson Silva these days. If he stinks up another one? Man, who knows what'll happen. I don't see the UFC cutting him, but his days on PPV will be over. TFK
I'm expecting a big performance from Anderson and I believe he will deliver!! Also, I'm looking forward to Almeida moving up through the ranks - maybe Ricardo can provide a tough fight for GSP ??
I don't think Anderson will have any chance to be boring in this fight. Sonnen will come at him every second even if he's getting his head taken off. And personally I'm picking Sonnen with the upset. I think he will get Silva to the ground often and grind out a win. It's a stretch but Anderson really hasn't had to work hard recently. Regardless, Anderson is going to have to look great in this fight or he will lose.
Agreed that Silva needs a BIG performance this time round - How ever is Sonnen that good that he can take Silva to the ground as often as you think ??
What strikes me as strange is Ben Saunders is fighting Dennis Hallman. I thought for sure Hallman was only on the roster to get beat up by Hughes, since he has two wins over Hughes. Hallman probably isn't beating Ben Saunders. That would be Hallman's second loss in a row in the UFC. Would they still feed him to Hughes? Other than that good card, I like most of the fights. Should be some good scraps. I'm looking forward to Big Country and JDS. That's a good fight.
I think Sonnen is relentless enough with his shots to get Silva to the ground. I am curious what others think. Is Sonnen the best wrestler Silva has faced? Or best since who? Obviously Henderson is probably more recognized but he really wasn't as strong a wrestler at that stage of his career nor did he rely on it. Regardless, I want this guy as Champ because there isn't a better quote-maker in the business. Even though he slams Machida in this clip, he is hilarious. <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LWUpfAO7cX8&border=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LWUpfAO7cX8&border=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>
not sure how you can say lackluster main even and then in the next sentence say you are looking forward to Alves/Fitch. Fitch will take him down and control him for 15 minutes.
Because the matchup is closer on paper than Silva/Sonnen. I know how Fitch fights but Thiago can knock him out IMO.
I think this is the most competitive matchup for Silva since Henderson. I might end up being wrong, but I think Sonnen will make Silva dig deep and work.
I don't think Sonnen has a chance in hell. Like many fights, he is being grossly overrated by 1 win. A win over someone who Silva already blasted. Silva will easily destroy Sonnen standing, and on the ground Silva can submit him as well. Sonnen is notorious for getting caught in submissions. Another fairly easy win for Silva.
It's possible. I saw the Lutter fight again and he took down Anderson on a few occasions. I don't think it's a coincedence that the UFC chose to air that matchup this weekend though. It will make it seem like Sonnen has a better chance than he does.
I think Sonnen is a bit of different animal now. It seems like he's thinking more on the ground and working to avoid or escape submission better than he did before. Hell Marquardt is a strong guy and BJJ black belt and Sonnen fought through a couple real deep guillotines. As I said, Silva may win but I don't think for a minute it will be easy. He will have to fight from his back at some point and we will see if a string of easy fights have softened him. Also, if his stamina is on the same level as the Maia fight, I can easily see Sonnen grinding out a decision. The bottom line is that no one is over rating Sonnen simply on beating Marquardt. He's ripped of solid wins over Miller and Okami on his way to Marquardt. And those wins are on the heals of crushing a fat, bloated Paul Filho in the WEC. Being submitted by Maia in between isn't really that shameful.
