Report: Anderson Silva Off UFC 95

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 5:32 PM EST in News Comment 94 comments

Dave Meltzer reports on Wrestling Observer Radio and in his latest newsletter (subscription required) that Anderson Silva has informed the UFC that he won't be ready to fight by UFC 95 in London. This leaves the UFC in a really bad position, as they once again have a London show where they have to scramble for a main event, and it's hard to think of anything they can come up with for a show that is scheduled for PPV.

That is the short term story, the long term story is Anderson Silva's status with the UFC. It's very clear to me that this is not a time issue, just a few months ago Anderson wanted to be fighting all the time. It's obvious that Anderson had no interest in fighting guys like Luis Cane or Thales Leites, and he appears to be more interested in boxing training than fighting guys on that level.

What can be done for Anderson Silva at this point? The middleweight division is a mess, none of the potential fights are marketable, and it sounds like he isn't interested in fighting unless the fight is a big fight. There are obviously 185 options all over the world that would be interesting to hardcore fans, but Anderson seems to be only interested in doing big fights.

0 recs | Comment 94 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I don’t blame Anderson for wanting only big fights. I guess he feels there is no upswing from beating someone in the 185 division right now, which is probably true for the most part. The last thing that needs to happen is Silva getting clipped by a “lucky” punch or getting caught by someone who is clearly an inferior fighter.

by pud333 on Dec 11, 2008 5:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

uh oh. This can’t be a good sign.

Dana needs to give Anderson a big money fight. ASAP.

by lbk on Dec 11, 2008 5:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

His own damn fault, really. He’d have big fights galore if he wanted to just move up to the LHW division for real.

If he wants to leave Machida to dominate the most star-laden division in the sport, what does he expect?

by Michaelthebox on Dec 11, 2008 5:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Anderson needs to move up to 205. The LHW division isn’t nearly as compelling as it was 18 months ago. Let Anderson fight guys like Rampage,Thiago Silva, and the like.
Should be plenty of competition against the bigger guys.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Dec 11, 2008 5:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jardine would be a good fight, but I doubt is is a big enough fight for his tastes. Really, its a catch twenty-two: He wants big fights, which requires him to move up to 205, but he doesn’t want to fight at 205 because that’s Machida’s belt.

I’m starting to think that it would be best for him to go off and box for a year or two, get it out of his system, and then if he still wants too he can return to a stronger 185 division. He’s got no drawing ability and feeding him is actually becoming almost detrimental to the development of the division in that pretty much nobody can compete with him.

The other real option in my mind now, just as I’m writing this, is maybe a mega-fight with him and Couture at 205 (or whatever weight really) in Germany. It’s a huge fight and the first of Anderson’s in a while that I would watch not immediately knowing the impending outcome. Additionally, it doesn’t even touch any of the contenders that Machida is going to need to build his own name off of. I’m really starting to like that fight…

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 5:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It’s an intriguing option, and it was rumored that Anderson was one of the fights Randy was interested in.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Silva could possibly dislocate Jardine's jaw to France if they fought at 95

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Dec 11, 2008 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t it a little cruel to let Jardine run the gauntlet of Silva’s? What’s next: let him get annihilated by Thiago?

Maybe Silva’s are Jardine’s kryptonite.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Dec 11, 2008 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jardine is a dangerous fighter that they want nowhere near the title belt. So they’ll set up as many obstacles as they can for him to not make it there.

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t blame Silva for only wanting high profile fights. The funny thing is, fans will piss and moan about him fighting the Irvins and Cotes of the world, then turn around and bitch when he says he wants big fights.

The only thing that irritates me, is him coming out and wanting to fight 47 times in 2009, then backing off of cards, but oh well.

And yes, the UFC needs to put a big name fight on this card, Anderson or not.

Eliot Marshall: Bader won. Like I said in the episode, I'm not going to make any excuses. It's my job to be able to deal with when somebody's doing that. It's not his job to change up his tactics.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Dec 11, 2008 5:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree on the switch in behavior

I’m a maniacal Anderson fan, but this back-and-forth ish is wearing me out. Marquardt’s a beast and Maia deserves his shot. Anderson is making a huge mistake in letting his perceived status and fan-following amongst the HCs stop him from facing all comers.

by asa on Dec 12, 2008 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fuck it. Have him and Chuck fight. Chuck never said no; he said no one had talked to him about it. It’s a win-win for the UFC no matter who comes out on top and a win for the fans because we get a fucking sweet fight.

by dropkick101 on Dec 11, 2008 5:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think it’s Dana that doesn’t want this fight, not Chuck.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t like the idea of a Chuck fight. Silva’s striking is too techincal and this fight right after Evans could be a career-ender.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You say that like it’s a bad thing.

by FRANKIE on Dec 11, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why does losing a fight end a career?

by asa on Dec 12, 2008 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Anderson vs Wanderlei!!!

Eliot Marshall: Bader won. Like I said in the episode, I'm not going to make any excuses. It's my job to be able to deal with when somebody's doing that. It's not his job to change up his tactics.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Dec 11, 2008 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

See: Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei II.

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I could live with Diego vs Sherk and Vera vs Cantwell for a co-main event instead. Or have chuck fight Brandon Vera. They still have yet to fight and both need a win. Jardine vs Silva would have been a fight I wanted to see and I think Jardine could of had a really good chance style wise.

by mlzybaby on Dec 11, 2008 5:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's not really Anderson's fault

Name a 205er that will be available for Silva at 95.

I cannot think of one – they are ALL booked.

by subo on Dec 11, 2008 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cane, Jardine, Houston Alexander. He didn’t want any of those.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Randy Cotoure

by ANance on Dec 11, 2008 6:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Couture is staying at HW.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes

But that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone…look at his past

by ANance on Dec 11, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Couture only has like 1 or 2 fights left, and I believe he wants to stay at HW.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

1 or 2 fights yes

So it would be in his best intrest to go where the $ is, whether its chuck at HW or Silva at 205

by ANance on Dec 11, 2008 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t be so positive about things like this, he was talking about this fight to a bunch of people. Randy doesn’t want to cut, but he is looking for interesting fights.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 6:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting, but Silva is not really a BIG name as a draw.
It would really make more sense to fight some that can draw PPVs as well, I would thing. Though Silva vs Couture sounds good to us MMA fans, Chuck vs Randy would probably sell better, IMO.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

again Michael your telling this guy stuff his sources don’t want him to know…

by mmalogic on Dec 11, 2008 6:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Carefull mmalogic, you might go into another cursing tirade and get all our posts deleted.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone who has ever gone through highschool, junior high or elementary knows that one kid in class who always talks out of his ass…

by mmalogic on Dec 11, 2008 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Guys...

We’re not going to have a little feud going between the two of you. So cut the shit and be civil.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 11, 2008 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you.

Honestly – every thread you two!?!

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No problem on my part.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

can’t help myself… reminds me of a retarded kid I use to know.

by mmalogic on Dec 11, 2008 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is not a window you were looking at, it was a mirror.
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And I should clarify, I don’t blame him for not wanting those.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What a baby...

Isn’t this the same guy who wanted to fight on the next fight card after ufc 90? Now he’s not gonna be ready? WTF Why doesn’t he just say I don’t wanna fight in England.

by ANance on Dec 11, 2008 5:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The reality is his numbers were fuckin horrid on the cote fight and will probably be even worse on an overseas ppv…

The answer to why he’s backing out is that he doesn’t want a back end pay cut.

by mmalogic on Dec 11, 2008 6:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Do you mean a pay cut on PPV revenue off a weak buyrate?

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly…

by mmalogic on Dec 11, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Cote show did do horrible, but it was a horrible followup. Patrick Cote is no buys, and the semi main event added nothing too. Also a week after a free show. I don’t know, I don’t think it told the whole story on Anderson, but I agree Silva-Leites in the UK would probably do the worst buyrate in years.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Overseas ppv’s do a basic buy rate no matter who the headlining card is as long as it is “high caliber”.

So hughes will “x” buys in the US and “y” buys overseas…

whereas anderson will do alot less than “x” buys in the US and similar or at worst a bit less than “y” buys overseas.

So from zuffa perspective you want to maximize the payout on each fighter unless its a “debut” in a new country or something.

by mmalogic on Dec 11, 2008 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know this is the UFC’s stance, but to be honest we have a selection bias. All these 200-250k buy cards overseas have absolutely terrible main events and no promotion. All I know is the one time they had a big main event overseas it did the biggest rating ever, we still haven’t seen what happens when a big fight is overseas.

The bigger concern is treating these countries to second rate main events. It is going to start hurting attendance sooner or later if they never get the big fights.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 6:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The chuck lidell fight last spring was supposed to be the acid test…

But its pretty much a given at this point that even he will not pull as well on an overseas show.

by mmalogic on Dec 11, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It is Clear that Arlovski and Silva Want to BOX for Big $$$

I wouldn’t be surprised if Anderson wants to go somewhere like Affliction or another place where they would let him box. After all, Arlovski and Silva are now training together under Roach.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately for him he has like 5 fights left and a champions clause that will keep him in the UFC for a long time.

Anderson Silva will never make a dime boxing outside the UFC. The only, I repeat only reason anyone was interested in Jones fight was the idea of the UFC being in it to promote UFC champ vs. boxing legend. Without the UFC behind it, Anderson Silva is an absolute non-draw, and will never make the big bucks he’s looking for in boxing.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

SSSHHH his sources didnt tell him that.

by mmalogic on Dec 11, 2008 6:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My sources did tell me you would make a comment about my sources, so they were correct once again. Good old predictable mmalogic.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It must be nice to see your sources match up with reality for once. :)

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Absolutely!

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe if he finishes up his 5 fights and is still MW champion with no one left to fight, he’ll be that fighter that takes his contract to court to fight the ridiculous “champion’s clause”. I don’t know of any court in the free world that would allow a contract to force a person to remain with the company in perpetuity.

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From Roach’s comment just a few days ago, he stated that Silva wasn’t ready for Jones yet. It seems that they may still try to put that fight together in the future.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jones?!

He isn’t ready for most mid range club boxers at this point.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 11, 2008 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Silva = mid range boxer lol

by ANance on Dec 11, 2008 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

...no

I meant that Silva isn’t ready for mid range boxers…let alone Roy Jones…even OLD roy jones

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 11, 2008 8:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

95

how about chuck/jardine as the main and diego/sherk, swick/mclovin as the co-main for 95. thats 1 good thing about the ufc, no lack of talent and great match-ups.

by bdw on Dec 11, 2008 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I Billy Guerin-tee you that Chuck has NO interest in rematching Jardine on a UK card. He’ll want a rematch with Jackson or W. Silva or a title shot asap.

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

im not sure chuck has a smuch say anymore. i would think he would want to avenge that loss.

by bdw on Dec 11, 2008 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Chuck has and always will be a consummate company man and is close personal pals with Dana. He probably has more say in who he fights than Joe Silva. At this point the fight is probably:

(a) nowhere near lucrative enough for Chuck – especially on a UK card (i.e. possibly no PPV on the back end)

(b) combined with (a), not enough upside coming off his loss to Rashad (i.e. stands a good chance to lose again against an unorthodox guy like Jardine).

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How about

Chuck / Cantwell
Sherk / Deigo
Bisping / Marquart
Dan Hardy / a Can

That covers the local draws. Gets chuck back on track, and showcases a Sherk/Diego winner for a possible title shot.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Dec 11, 2008 6:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pretty sure they want to bring Cantwell along a little more slowly and that and what exactly is the upside for Liddell in this one?

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Argh, you’re quick.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The upside

Is that Chuck wins and gets back on track. Dana White has been trying to give Chuck a layup to get back on track for a while.

Silva and Evans were perfect style match-ups for Chuck. He just didnt follow through with the win against Rashad.

Cantwell is the new public enemy #1. Everyone will root for Chuck to show this kid some Humility.
Chuck wins and is back to being a poster boy.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Dec 11, 2008 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No one knows who Cantwell is.
I think the UFC would prefer to build up Stann instead and have him fight Chuck.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cantwell is enemy #1 to small faction of a close-knit hardcore MMA followers. It doesn’t get much more particular.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So do we think Chuck is going to face a legitimate threat in his next fight? I sure as hell don’t.

But they are in a catch 22 with him. They can’t feed him an out and out nobody can. So either

A. They need to build someone who has done something brash and controversial (cantwell)

B. They need to bring in someone with Name recognition that far exceeds their skill (Kimbo)

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Dec 11, 2008 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is more like it. But honestly there’s just no way they even table an offer of Cantwell to Liddell. It’s ludicrous from his career standpoint and a business standpoint.

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly here is how it plays out for Liddell…

(a) He gets a fight with Shogun/Jackson-Silva (winner) and if he wins – he gets a shot at Forrest or Rashad for the belt.

(b) Anderson or Randy in a “superfight”

Those are the only fights that make sense from a business perspective and a “Chuck’s best interest perspective”. And honestly, none of the mainstream fans would question it one bit from (a) – ©.

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that shogun fight makes sense for him too.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Shogun fight only makes sense if the UFC is ready to give Shogun a major push if he beats Chuck. However, based on his last performance and string of very serious injuries that have kept him sidelined, I don’t think the UFC is necessarily prepared to take that gamble.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Dec 11, 2008 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that they will, as long as he beats Coleman. I can only imagine how much they want to use all that Pride footage. On top of that, the storyline could involve Shogun getting revenge for Wanderlei and filling the shoes that Wanderlei left over. They could really sell that fight and the winner could easily get a title shot out of it.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 6:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There are NO more layup fights left for Chuck.

The division is too stacked and crowded at the top, Chuck’s shelf life is fast approaching expiry and he has only 1-2 years of big name fights left to pop ppv buys.

Cantwell is WAAAAAY too green (7-0?) to be fighting someone like Chuck. He’s a fighter of the future (i.e. next 5 years) and no one benefits from this fight….because Chuck is so likely to win that he’ll receive absolutely no rub off beating a guy that everyone just saw on a free tv mid card. And if Chuck somehow loses, he is TOAST as a draw.

by The_Gaijin on Dec 11, 2008 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No reason to jump Cantwell so quickly. He’s got talent, it would really hurt his development to put him in there with Liddell. Also, if Liddell lost this, he’d be done, period.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

cantwell is too green. bisping will be coaching against hendo/rich winner. swick/mclovin would be a great fight as would saunders/barncat.

by bdw on Dec 11, 2008 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hardy vs. Yoshida would be a good fight.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as it doesn’t end with a nut shot like last time…

by George Lucas on Dec 11, 2008 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Id be for Cantwell and Liddel it wouldnt happen this soon but Cantwell has some very technical striking and I dont think chuck would run through him at all.

by mlzybaby on Dec 11, 2008 6:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Silva to Return in April? 6 Months Off?

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/12/11/anderson-silva-unlikely-to-return-at-ufc-95-april-return-on-the-horizon/

"As of right now, nothing has been 100 percent decided yet. It looks like we’re looking to fight in April. We don’t know what can happen, but as of right now I think we’re going to be fighting in April," Soares told Junkie.

"It’s not decided yet, but we’d be interested in doing a 205-pound fight," said Soares.

Soares also went on to say that the UFC 95 fight with Leites is not completely ruled out and that it’s obviously up to the UFC when Silva fights but that they have told Dana White that they’d like for Silva to return in April.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 7:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

LIGHT. HEAVYWEIGHT. CHAMPIONSHIP.

by Drewplata on Dec 11, 2008 7:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That would be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

by dropkick101 on Dec 11, 2008 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

April sets him up for better 205 fights.

by Michael Rome on Dec 11, 2008 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It sure does – Hendo, Franklin, Rampage, Wanderlei, Rashad/Forrest loser…

by subo on Dec 11, 2008 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is it possible he is waiting on GSP around that time?

by The Bronzeville Bully on Dec 11, 2008 8:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Can Chuck just fight for 185lb belt? Its going to be a while before he gets a shot at 205. I can see him resisting because of cutting down to 185.

by The Bronzeville Bully on Dec 11, 2008 8:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chuck couldn’t make the cut. He walks around at over 220.

by dropkick101 on Dec 11, 2008 8:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

so does Anderson..

by The Bronzeville Bully on Dec 11, 2008 8:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cutting is different is different depending on the person. I highly doubt that Chuck could make 185.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am pretty positive Chuck can make 240, easy.
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 11, 2008 8:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just a question for rundownloser

why is Cantwell public enemy #1

by DUGASWARRIOR on Dec 11, 2008 8:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So says aaronb

Cantwell is the new public enemy #1. Everyone will root for Chuck to show this kid some Humility.
Chuck wins and is back to being a poster boy.

I was only saying that the group of people who see him as public enemy #1 is rather small. And for the record does not contain me.

by Rundownloser on Dec 11, 2008 8:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and the reason why some view him so poorly now is that he mentioned in the post fight interview that he was happy to break somebody’s arm, he had wanted to do something like that (I figured that he was just talking about getting a submission or getting a win in the UFC, but he did seem to relish the actual injury during the replay).

I don’t blame him for the injury. Dude shoulda tapped. Additionally, I am now a big fan cause of that gorgeous brazilian kick he landed.

by Rundownloser on Dec 12, 2008 2:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d pick Cantwell over Liddell.

He has more disciplined striking, keeps his hands up, younger as well.

Liddell has what to offer over him? Experience is the only thing I see him having an advantage in and maybe wrestling, which he only has used once or twice in the last 5 fights.

by DirtyML on Dec 11, 2008 9:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs