Anything MMA, except thumb wrestling

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

Akiyama is the man, but Belcher is no joke. Stiff test for his first fight in the UFC.

[lovetoaster]

Akiyama is the man, but Belcher is no joke. Stiff test for his first fight in the UFC.

It is a really tough fight. Belcher lobbied for it and he got it. I like Belcher because he has some fire to him. He wants to face the best.

That being said, I think Akiyama wins it.

I am excited to see that one, as well as about every other fight on that card. As bad as UFC 97 was, 100 is going to be a monster card.

[#98QBKiller]

As a Wandy fan, I would love to see it, but you are right, Okami deserves the title shot if he gets by Miller.

I think both are pretty interesting and would gain a lot of attention from fans. I'd also like to see him rematch Dan Henderson eventually (assuming Hendo gets a few more wins).

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

It's kind of sad that the Strikeforce card was a lot better. UFC 97 had all of the makings of a good card but ended up flopping. It seems to happen like that a lot of the cards that look stacked end up being boring and the cards that look like a drag end up being thrillers.

I think that has to do with fighters on those "weak" cards not being at the top of the food chain, so to speak. They have something to prove; a spectacular showing can make them jump way ahead in the rankings. Think about it, if Anderson was just starting out and was on the undercard against THALES LEITES, do you think he would have fought the same way? No, he would have firmly planted his fist in the back of Thales' eye cavity.

There are some fighters that are content taking it cautiously up to the top, but most of the time guys that have something to prove go out there and want to kill someone.

The only formula I can think of for a firmly-implanted champion like Silva, is to bring in Vitor Belfort, Manhoef, Mousassi, JZ, and let them get a few fights in while Silva takes on an expendable LHW. I know that's pretty much impossible, but it's not like a potential talent pool in MW isn't possible. The UFC has every god damned LHW there is, but middleweights are spread out all over the place.

[StillUnknown]

Akiyama hasn't looked the same since Misaki knocked him cold.

dream fed him some cans to get his confidence back, it'll be interesting to see how he looks against top comp.

[lovetoaster]

I think both are pretty interesting and would gain a lot of attention from fans. I'd also like to see him rematch Dan Henderson eventually (assuming Hendo gets a few more wins).

Hell, I forgot about Hendo...

I think Hendo is going to be right in line for a shot if (and that is a relatively big if) he can get by Bisping.

I think Hendo is the only guy that has really posed a threat to Anderson since he has been in the UFC. He just made a very costly mistake. I know he wants that fight again.

So at least there are some intriguing possibilities that are lining up for A. Silva:

Henderson
W. Silva
Okami
Akiyama
Bisping (if he gets by Hendo and picks up another win or two)
Maia (if he convinces Dana he won't pul, a Leites)

And we can't forget GSP, which I think will happen this year at some point.

[lovetoaster]

The only formula I can think of for a firmly-implanted champion like Silva, is to bring in Vitor Belfort, Manhoef, Mousassi, JZ, and let them get a few fights in while Silva takes on an expendable LHW. I know that's pretty much impossible, but it's not like a potential talent pool in MW isn't possible. The UFC has every god damned LHW there is, but middleweights are spread out all over the place.

At least it is getting better. I think there will be some legitimate threats for Silva soon. But I would love to see Belfort, JZ or Mousasi against Silva. About a year ago, I would have said the same thing about Manhoef. But he has been a mess (relatively speaking) recently.

[StillUnknown]

isn't JZ a lightweight?

yall must want to see a funeral. lol

[Chachie]

I think Hendo is going to be right in line for a shot if (and that is a relatively big if) he can get by Bisping.

Despite the fact that I have not been impressed with Hendo since he's been in the UFC, I still see him cleaning Bisping's clock. Michael better raise his game 2 notches for Dan. The only thing Bisping has done to surprise me in his career was to go to a close decision with Rashad Evans but even then Evans wasn't showing his best stuff like he has lately.

[lovetoaster]

isn't JZ a lightweight?

yall must want to see a funeral. lol

Oops, I was thinking Jacare. I goofed.

[Patrick86L]

Am I the only one that can see Anderson Silva run into some problems with his corner when he actually faces real competition? It looks like he just has a bunch of his cronies as his corner men who don't really offer him any advice and have no idea how to fix him up between rounds. The only thing I ever saw them do to help him out between rounds was one of the guys hold his nose up like a pig so he could breathe through the blood. It kind of reminds me of Mike Tyson's joke of a corner when he thought he was invincible and couldn't be damaged.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

At least it is getting better. I think there will be some legitimate threats for Silva soon. But I would love to see Belfort, JZ or Mousasi against Silva. About a year ago, I would have said the same thing about Manhoef. But he has been a mess (relatively speaking) recently.

I know he got dropped by someone he was supposed to decapitate in K1, but he did just KO Mark Hunt. Yeah, Hunt is getting old, but even Cro Cop's temple tap couldn't KO Hunt. Bah, Manhoef would be a great answer to Anderson's standup if that chin wasn't suspect.

[lovetoaster]

Despite the fact that I have not been impressed with Hendo since he's been in the UFC, I still see him cleaning Bisping's clock. Michael better raise his game 2 notches for Dan. The only thing Bisping has done to surprise me in his career was to go to a close decision with Rashad Evans but even then Evans wasn't showing his best stuff like he has lately.

Yep. Evans would maul Bisping now. Hendo should (and I hope he does) win relatively easily.

I would have liked to see Hamill fight Bisping again. But that ain't gonna happen now.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

Oops, I was thinking Jacare. I goofed.

Yikes, same here, I always get them mixed up. I'm Ultimate Fighting Challenged.

[StillUnknown]

Oops, I was thinking Jacare. I goofed.

i don't think Anderson would ever fight Jacare, he helped him train for Leites. they're good friends i believe

Manhoeff seems to be at a stage where he either KO's someone, or gets blasted himself

Bisping will get a shot immediately if he beats Hendo, although i cant see one area MMA in which Bisping would be better than Anderson.

Wandy is an intriguing option if they want to put someone in who will play right into Anderson's counter-striking. it'll be hard to justify giving Wandy a shot on the basis of beating Franklin at a catchweight though. he'd have to win at least 2 at MW to get a shot IMO. honestly as a Wandy fan, i don't want to see that fight, it would get ugly for Wand real fast.

a rematch with Henderson seems to be the most likely of all scenarios, that doesn't include Anderson going up to 205.

at 205 there are alot of great matchups:
Luiz Cane
Shogun
Rampage
Rashad (if he manages to beat Machida, Anderson would want revenge)