James Irvin: The Spoiler?
by Michael Rome on Jun 27, 2008 3:46 PM EDT
in MMA News
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The UFC is banking on Anderson Silva getting a highlight reel knockout win over James Irvin on July 19th. While I do think that is the most likely result, Irvin is definitely capable of knocking Silva out. This is nowhere near the "safe" fight some people are making it out to be.
Rampage Jackson once said James Irvin was the hardest hitter he'd ever sparred with. Jackson doesn't just say stuff like that, and he has sparred with many great strikers. The power in Irvin's hands is also pretty apparent in his fights, where he has looked very good on his feet, despite a series of bad breaks. Everyone has seen his spectacular flying knee KO of Terry Martin, but people often forget that he dropped Thiago Silva with one punch at the beginning of their fight at UFC 71, only to lose because he injured his leg in a freak accident. Since then, he had another controversial fight with Luis Cane, and knocked out Houston Alexander in eight seconds.
James Irvin is a very dangerous striker. He was picked as a sacraficial lamb for Houston Alexander back in April, but that backfired in a big way. This is pretty much the biggest opportunity of his career, and I think he has more than a puncher's chance.
I definitely think Anderson Silva is going to win this fight, but it's not going to be a walk in the park.
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Potential disaster for UFC if Spider is knocked out. This is what makes UFC legit though—Dana White doesn’t put up scrubs against his featured fighters, a la EXC.
Ask Brock Lesnar.
I guess it’s a disaster, but not the biggest one really. Silva is yet to draw anything for them, so it’s not like killing Liddell or something.
do you think they are giving up on trying to make him a ppv draw? this card is on free tv and his next fight after that is rumored in the UK (aka the land of 200k ppv buys).... after that i expect them to put him in semi mains instead of mains….
by robnashville on Jun 27, 2008 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Just the opposite. They’re doing this to expose 2 million people to him because all of his shows as champion have been seen by very few people. You have a few million people see him kill 2 people, and then hype him up against Liddell on PPV.
by Michael Rome on Jun 27, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Can I ask why you want to see Silva lose? Silva’s one of those guys that seems hard to dislike—very respectful of the sport and his opponents, a hard-worker, an exciting fighter in the ring, willing to face anyone, etc. Just curious.
Hey!
Don’t forget that he wasn’t just punching him in the face. There were all those body shots, and leg kicks, and…
Oh, sorry. I just appreciate a nice destruction.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
Respectful to the sport?
Not always. I recall an article posted on this very fight where Silva has pulled out of an obligation at the last minute with a false excuse, then was found to be doing something entirely different. Thats not respectful at all in my opinion. Not to mention, after his last win all he could talk about was switching to boxing. How about showing some respect for the company that you hold a belt with?
He is however a great fighter and a lot of fun to watch. I certainly dont hate him, but I wouldnt consider myself a fan either.
Read My Blog
"Life's tough, tougher if you're stupid."
by Brandon Jones on Jun 27, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Ooops
I meant to say article posted on this “site” not “fight”
Read My Blog
"Life's tough, tougher if you're stupid."
by Brandon Jones on Jun 27, 2008 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Michael Rome, you are correct sir.
However, the UFC doesn’t give their best guys easy fights. That’s why Anderson (and GSP and Penn) are the best. If Irvin happenned to win, Irvin becomes a star, and Anderson goes back to MW where he’s still the champ and still dominates everyone, and they emphasize how going up in weight classes makes a big difference.
Yea I’m gonna have a hard time watching this fight. I like both fighters and they both have the capabilities to end the fight anytime.
I’d be elated if it went into the 3rd round.
IMO, anytime I get to see Anderson or GSP or Penn fight for 3 rounds, that’s a huge bonus, because I get to see their amazing skills for a longer time period. Fights that go less than 2 round don’t give you as much exposure to the greatness of fighters like these. And if Irvin goes 3 rounds, then mad props to him.
Fights that go less than 2 round don’t give you as much exposure to the greatness of fighters like these.
Unless the fighter’s greatness is finishing fights early. At which point, you miss their greatness entirely by going to the third round.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
exactly
UFC’s biggest nightmare would not be Silva getting knocked out. It would be Silva losing by decision in a lackluster performance.
I know I’m gonna be a minority view here, but I just don’t think it’s that big a deal whatever happens. It doesn’t destroy Silva’s credibility in the UFC middleweight division if he loses – he’s fighting bigger guys. It hurts the hardcore fans’ opinion of him as the lb-for-lb best fighter in the world, but it doesnt change his domination over the lower weight division.
The other thing that seems to be missing from a lot of these blog sites’ commentary about this matchup is that Silva himself wants it. Dana’s constantly saying that Silve WANTS to fight 6 times a year and he doesn’t want scrubs. Silva’s no Fedor, he doesn’t seem to want to build a huge reputation and then sit back and get bank by fighting cans. He wants to move up to fight tougher opponents, and he wants to fight more often. The UFC won’t let him box, but they’ll oblige him if he wants to fight more MMA.
I love the guy win lose or draw, personally. Even if he goes in there and gets clocked and knocked out in 5 seconds, it happens, and it can happen to anybody in this sport. It isn’t what happens that is the most important thing, but how a guy deals with it. Look at GSP. The guy rebounded with a vengeance.
sometimes we should take a step back, and look at this from a different view. Silva is a person,a nd has drives and goals that may not match up with what’s best for the UFC, or even best for his career in the long run. Taking risky fights and moving up just seems to be his thing. Who cares if the UFC doesn’t love it? Who cares if he’s risking some of his drawing power to do so? His drive to challenge himself seems to be a bit more pressing to him, regardless of the ‘risk.’
Sorry for the length.
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