Leites vs Silva and Alves vs GSP/Penn on Tap for UFC Belts?

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 10, 2008 8:41 AM EST

Reeling off seven-straight victories in the Octagon is impressive no matter who the opposition is. But to have the three most recent wins on that resume being against Top 10 fighters Karo Parisyan, former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes, and Josh Koscheck, that just begs for title shot consideration.

UFC president Dana White seems to think so too. He confirmed at a question and answer session in Fayetteville, N.C., on Tuesday that Thiago Alves – who maintains that resume – is next in line for a shot at the UFC welterweight championship.

FiveOuncesOfPain reports:

Thanks in large part to a five fight win streak in the UFC, Brazilian middleweight Thales Leites could be on the verge of being named the next man to challenge Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title.

UFC President Dana White revealed the news Tuesday afternoon during a public Q&A session at the Sports USA Bar located on the Fort Bragg military installation.

When asked by a fan in the audience what was next in store for Leites, White indicated that his next fight could come against Silva as early as February. UFC Vice President of Talent Relations Joe Silva was seated in the audience and conferred while adding that a Silva vs. Leites match has not been finalized and that Leites is instead at the top of a list that includes several candidates.

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Alves, hell yeah.... Leites,

ummm… not so much. I could rattle off the same names that are probably in contention for a title shot, but no one really sounds good against Anderson Silva.

by Gunslinger20 on Dec 9, 2008 9:09 PM EST reply actions

very happy that Alves gets next shot...

He definitely deserves it. I was worried about Penn winning the fight with GSP and then stepping down the LW to defend his title against Florian and putting Alves on hold longer risking the chance of losing a warm-up fight.

by steveoc24 on Dec 9, 2008 10:03 PM EST reply actions

The fact that he gets the next WW shot doesnt mean he wont have to wait. Either him or Florian is going to have to wait if Penn wins..

by Michael Rome on Dec 9, 2008 10:44 PM EST reply actions

Yup, which makes this whole situation stink.
Its like TUF but in multiple weight classes. Delaying MORE title fights is not something I am looking forward to. Champions not names Anderson Silva will fight twice a year?

by MMASuPreMaCy on Dec 9, 2008 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

Leites does not deserve a title shot, nor does he stand any chance at defeating Silva.

Maia has called out Leites recently, and that’s a match I’d like to see, particularly if Marquardt ends up occupied with coaching duties on TUF.

But I’m sorry…defeating Pete Sell, Floyd Sword, Ryan Jensen, and Drew McFredies, and then getting brutalized by Marquardt but eeking out a slim decision based on fouls, does not earn you a title shot in my book.

by Scott Haber on Dec 9, 2008 10:56 PM EST reply actions

When asked for comment, Yushini Okami said, “What the fuck!? Hellooo. Look at me, people. I still work here. Seriously. Who the fuck did I piss off?”

by dropkick101 on Dec 9, 2008 11:13 PM EST reply actions

Haha. I think they are holding off announcing this to see if Okami can win impressively in December and then be ready to fight by October.

by Michael Rome on Dec 9, 2008 11:44 PM EST up reply actions

The 1st Rule of Project Mayhem is you do not talk about Project Mayhem
The 1st Rule of Yushin Okami is you do not talk about Yushin Okami

by Sokonojudo on Dec 10, 2008 1:26 AM EST up reply actions

errrrrr

wut

this doesn’t make a damn bit of sense. We just saw anderson fight someone who didn’t deserve it (cote)… do you really want to see this too?

god, has Anderson absolutely wiped his ass with this division? If it is getting to this point… it is time for him to just move up for good. Why waste his last few fights on shit like this?

by dbcb on Dec 9, 2008 11:56 PM EST reply actions

Hell, I would rather see Alves vs Anderson…. alves is plenty big enough for a MW (cuts from 200 to make WW supposively).

by dbcb on Dec 9, 2008 11:57 PM EST reply actions

That would be fun. I wish some of the guy St. Pierre has beaten would consider it. A guy like Fitch for example, big 170, could be a stylistic challenge for Silva. The guys at 185 currently just provide nothing interesting.

by Michael Rome on Dec 10, 2008 12:02 AM EST up reply actions

I think the guy with the best shot to beat Silva will be a guy like Leites or Maia. So, I think the fight is intriguing.

You people REALLY think Okami can do anything against Silva?

by lbk on Dec 10, 2008 9:18 AM EST reply actions

Maia maybe, Leites no. Maia’s jiu-jitsu is on a different level from Leites’s which is very good…I think Silva could avoid getting subbed by Leites, but maybe not by Maia.

Also, Maia’s takedowns and ability to pull guard successfully are much better. Leites couldn’t even keep Martin Kampmann on the matt, and he’s not known for his takedown defense. How is Leites going to get Silva down?

by Scott Haber on Dec 10, 2008 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

Crap, I was actually excited about the notion of Leites vs. Maia. Honestly, that’s partially just because I want nothing more than to see Maia piledriver someone while screaming at the top of his lungs.

by Rundownloser on Dec 10, 2008 12:06 PM EST reply actions