Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva Set for UFC 108
by Anton Tabuena on Oct 2, 2009 11:58 AM EDT
78 comments
Promoted from the FanPosts by Kid Nate.
The rumored match up was first mentioned by MMA Fanhouse about a week ago, and now MMAMania confirms that both parties have verbally agreed to meet at UFC 108:
Rashad Evans and Brazilian Thiago Silva (14-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) have verbally agreed to meet in the co-main event of UFC 108.
Bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.
Rashad Evans was supposed to face his opposing coach in TUF 10, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, but one thing led to another, and now Rampage is "retired" and the dangerous Thiago Silva steps in for him.
The event is also rumored to be headlined by a middleweight title fight between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort.
The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.
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I gotta take Rashad in this one.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
same here..
Thiago takes a lot of shots every fight, and against Rashad, that’s a bad thing to do..
Maybe Thiago can win it if Rashad has those ‘slow starts’ he has had before, and catches him with a power shot.. But i doubt it.
by Anton Tabuena on Oct 2, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rashad will start slow.
I really think this fight is even. Thiago Silva can win this fight on the floor or standing.
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by VeeisAnimated on Oct 2, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree VeeisAnimated
This fight is pretty even.. I think it’s a coin toss type fight.. It’s whoever gets caught with the first mistake..
Rashad has the speed advantage in this fight. We could say he has the wrestling edge.. But Silva has the better ground skills & is just as effective on the feet.. They both have the power to put the other out on the feet.. It’s really a dead pan fight IMO..
8-29-09
Keith Jardine is now known as "The Dean of Antihistamine" because he is always sleeping early in fights..
by MMAuthority on Oct 2, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rashad really got the short end of the stick in the DW-Rampage Feud. I liked Rashad to beat Rampage more than I like him to beat Thiago Silva.
by xDieseLx on Oct 2, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Joke?
Rampage has been knocked unconscious once in his career, and it was after a savage beating. I don’t see Rashad as the king of guy to be able to put on a muay thai clinic against Rampage, who is without a doubt the far superior technical boxer. He’s also larger (albeit slower) and has superior takedown defense.
Thiago Silva, on the other hand, provides a more balanced, stylistic match-up. Thiago has decent power and kicks standing but he has sloppy punches. Contrary to popular belief, Silva’s primary objective is to ground and pound from mount. With his superior BJJ, I think he could do that to Rashad. He could, but that’s if he gets the fight to the ground. Which he wouldn’t. On the feet, I view it as 50/50 with Thiago’s chin being suspect, and Rashad’s striking being predictable and one-dimensional.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your joking right?
more like unconcious 3 times in his career. Twice to Wanderlei, once to Shogun. And I’ll put it like I see it, if he fought like he did against Jardine, its gonna be a KO for Rashad. Rashad has more tools and Rampage and becoming easier to figure out. So Rashad has every oppritunity to win that fight unless he got caught.
"I will knock your hair black!"- Ken Shamrock to Tito Ortiz
by FutureChamp on Oct 2, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know what’s weird? I agree with both of you guys. I love that Thiago is in the mix now. These are fascinating bouts. I really hope that Rampage gets back in there.
by Dooda on Oct 2, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps you have a different defintion of “unconscious” than everyone else. Rampage was not near unconscious against Wanderlei in the first fight, or against Shogun. He took beatings, but was conscious.
by Hardcharger on Oct 2, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw him unconcious
I’ll watch the fights again cause now that I think about it, maybe he just buckled severely. The rest of my arguement stands. : )
"I will knock your hair black!"- Ken Shamrock to Tito Ortiz
by FutureChamp on Oct 2, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The fact that you think Rashad has more tools than Rampage is a joke. They both have the same tools, Rampage just does them all better. As I said, this fight is 50/50 so I’m not guaranteeing that Thiago will win. I just am not into the comparison between Rampage/Rashad considering I personally view that fight as a squash match.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Page can not outwrestle Rashad.
Don't argue for the sake of arguing....
by Screwface on Oct 2, 2009 2:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I don't doubt
that Page can stuff Rashad’s shots. Jackson has powerhouse wrestling, and especially now that Rashad hasn’t been using his takedowns lately it makes me think that Page would just outpoint him on the feet, and possibly score a (T)KO.
I think that fight will happen eventually, as long as Page returns
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Oct 2, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They both have the same tools, Rampage just does them all better.
I disagree.
They are both wrestleboxers, but that is where the similarity ends. Rampage’s wrestling is almost entirely based on his freakish power, whereas Rashad’s is based on quickness and superior technical skills. In terms of BJJ, Rampage openly admits that he hates it. He drills enough to stay out of submissions and that is it. Evans by all accounts is the more complete ground fighter.
OTOH, Rampage’s boxing is more technical than Rashad’s, particularly his defense. Rashad relies more on footwork and hand speed than Rampage does. Rampage stands in the pocket and can still avoid damage whereas Rashad is strictly a stick-and-move fighter who looks to set up the big bomb.
Net, while their base disciplines might be similar, they are not at all similar in how they apply those disciplines.
by Steve4192 on Oct 3, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Shogun broke one of Rampage’s ribs early in the fight. Rampage basically gave up and was trying to quit the whole time but his corner wouldn’t let him. Not to take anything away from Shogun cuz the knees were brutal but he definitely didn’t knock Rampage unconscious; he just kneed him in the body until he hit the ground and then soccer-kicked til the ref finished.
But yeah I’m not saying Rampage can’t be KO’d but it’s not gonna be a one-and-done like it has been in the past for Rashad.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your right.
They both do have the same tools huh? So whens the last time Rampage threw a head kick and knocked someone out cold or could he say he even wrestled in high school or college? Nope. So I say Rashad wins on who has more ways to win a fight.
"I will knock your hair black!"- Ken Shamrock to Tito Ortiz
by FutureChamp on Oct 2, 2009 2:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, he did wrestle in High School:
Hailing from Memphis, TN, USA, Jackson had his first taste of combat sport as a wrestler for Raleigh-Egypt High School where his successful career was punctuated by All-State honors
(I know it’s wiki, but I’m fairly certain this one’s accurate)
"That feeling after you win and they raise your hand... it's like you have this energy that releases from your body, and it's like you mingle with the cosmos, and you feel omnipotent"
by woomikee on Oct 2, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So whens the last time Rampage threw a head kick and knocked someone out cold
One headkick against a tomato can does not a kickboxer make. Salmon kick aside, Rashad’s striking has been almost exclusively boxing based his entire career.
by Steve4192 on Oct 3, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe you should actually watch the fights.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They both have one loss, both to the same guy. I think both looked equally bad. Thiago wanted to push Machida and Rashad wanted to sit back, perhaps learning from Thiago’s errors. Maybe it isn’t that I liked Rashad more against Rampage, but if he lost to Rampage it wouldn’t be as damaging to his career as a loss to a lesser known albeit good fighter in Thiago Silva.
by xDieseLx on Oct 2, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am torn as I like both fighters but I am going with Rashad for the win, I don’t think this fight will go to the judges score cards because both guys are finishers
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
by lovingmma25 on Oct 2, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ll believe it when it’s signed. This fight is fucking stupid.
by Michael Rome on Oct 2, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
mmamania also confirms that verbal agreements were set, so maybe bout agreements should be signed soon?
Unless rampage changes his mind before that happens.
by Anton Tabuena on Oct 2, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not excited about it either, but assuming Rampage can’t be coaxed out of retirement who do you think is a better match up for Rashad? I don’t think this fight is terrible given the circumstances.
by Andy R on Oct 2, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
please, tell us what you’re really thinking
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
by lovingmma25 on Oct 2, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This fight is fucking stupid.
I think he was thinking about how stupid that fight is. ;)
by Anton Tabuena on Oct 2, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rashad should win this 8 out of 10 times. Thiago is very easy to hit and moves in straight lines.
by Michael Rome on Oct 2, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
plus
Thiago doesn’t play with his own nipples.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rashad is overestimated 8 times out of 10.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup, people give the guy with a 13-1-1 record too much credit. The guy with wins over Liddel and Griffin, and whose only loss was to Machida.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had a big long counter-argument typed out but I accidentally deleted it. Instead, I’ll just say that we’ll see who’s right in a few years when Rashad still hasn’t accomplished anything.
And on a side note, I’ve said it before that record has little or nothing to do with how skilled a fighter is. One reason for that is that the numbers are misleading; the draw on his record should realistically be a loss because of the senseless point that Herb Dean deducted from Tito (who I hate so don’t think I’m hyping Tito). Rashad got the Bisping treatment for most of his career, and the fact that he beat one declining, hole-ridden champion, and another who has proven himself to be mediocre more than once throughout his career.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point was deducted because Tito broke the rules… after being warned, he grabbed the fence again. It wasn’t senseless… there’s a reason they aren’t allowed to do that.
Second, I know that hindsight discrediting of opponents is all the rage now but KOing Liddel and Griffin is an accomplishment, even if you choose to believe otherwise. Rampage, Shogun – TKO. Rashad – KTFO.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I tend to think
that winning the UFC LHW championship is quite an accomplishment.
Just sayin
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Oct 2, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And on a side note, I’ve said it before that record has little or nothing to do with how skilled a fighter is. One reason for that is that the numbers are misleading; the draw on his record should realistically be a win because of the point that Herb Dean deducted from Tito (who would have been slammed if he didn’t cheat and probably would have lost the round and the fight).
by Phildo on Oct 2, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
damn you rampage
buuuut i think it’s rashad… fights smarter. i’d want thiago but i want to see rampage rashad when page comes back.
by cagefightonacid on Oct 2, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If you consider dropping your hands and running your mouth at Machida “fighting smarter,” then yeah, Rashad is the smarter fighter…
Don't argue for the sake of arguing....
by Screwface on Oct 2, 2009 2:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Well
He did tag Lyoto a couple of times.
Also, running his mouth is part of his game (psychological). It didn’t work for him this time.
but when did he drop his hands?
He got beat by Lyoto… so far no one has been able to do the otherwise.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This one’s easy. Rashad.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Oct 2, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This fight is LAME. Rashad should have taken the fight against Randy. Maybe he wants an easy victory.
I don’t understand why people think Thiago Silva has a great ground game. Why? Because he was able to mount Houston Alexander?
by MMAEruption on Oct 2, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rashad should have taken the fight against Randy. Maybe he wants an easy victory.
If he wanted an easy victory, he would have taken the fight against Randy.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
EXACTLY
Thiago Silva is not an easy fight for anyone in the LHW division..
He too only has 1 loss on his record.. that to a guy by the name of Machida.. Same goes for Rashad..
This is a very even fight & I think it makes a lot of sense. With Page leaving, you need an immediate title contender to follow up after the Machida vs. Shogun fight now.. Before Page & Rashad were to fight to determine the next in line. Silva had his 1 loss (just as Rashad did) to the same guy. Silva had a dominate victory over Jardine to re-establish himself in contention. This fight is for the #1 contender match and makes the most sense..Both guys only have 1 loss to the same fighter. Page is out of the picture so Silva gets a fight leap, although I think Silva earned this fight & Rashad hasn’t had a fight since losing. But if he pulls off the W against Silva, he then earned another shot at gold IMO..
8-29-09
Keith Jardine is now known as "The Dean of Antihistamine" because he is always sleeping early in fights..
by MMAuthority on Oct 2, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In my opinion, Evans nor Silva won't be title contenders after this fight IF Machida is still champion
It is just way too soon for either of these fighters to be fighting Machida again (if Machida beats Shogun which I think he will). The way that both lost and just how recent those fights were lead me to believe that if Machida is still champion, Evans or Thiago Silva won’t get a title shot anytime soon. The proof is in other divisions especially Middleweight in that Marquardt and Henderson did not get immediate title shots against Anderson, and honestly it took a while for fans to even want to see these rematches. Personally, because of name value, I can see the UFC putting the winner of Couture vs Vera in title contention or possibly Luis Cane if he beats Rogerio.
by chrisbboy82 on Oct 2, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I had to guess, they are going to hold off on announcing a new challenger until this Rampage situation works itself out. I mean, I don’t really see anyone else in the division who deserves to fight for the title in lieu of Rampage/Rashad not happening. I’m not sure what will happen; I think it’s a mistake to put Vera or Couture anywhere near a title shot. They both have a lot to prove; I’m not even sure if Couture can get past Vera, and I know Vera wouldn’t stand a chance against the Champ unless he really explodes on Couture. Lil’ Nog/Machida or Nog/Shogun II will be nice fights but I get the feeling the UFC will want to expose Minotoro before they put him in a high profile fight like that. They’ll probably put him against another decent contender after his fight with Luis Cane; Jardine, Liddell, etc.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know, even if Rampage decides to come back if it’s after this fight with Silva then Rampage/Rashad won’t happen until March at the earliest then a fight with Machida couldn’t happen until what, June or July? Do they really want to hold Machida out that long?
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 4, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thiago Silva is not an easy fight for anyone in the LHW division
Really?
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 4, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because he is a legit BJJ black belt and has done well in competition.
by Meshuggeth on Oct 2, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Thiago has one of the superior BJJ games in the LHW division. I can’t even think of somebody in the UFC off the top of my head that is definitively better.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn’t have as much to gain from a fight with Randy. If he wins, he beats a 46 year old guy on a two fight losing streak. If he loses, it knocks him farther down the ladder. Or at least I think that would be his thought process.
It’s too bad, because it would have been a good fight.
by Andy R on Oct 2, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Picking Rashad.
He has a 100% record against guys that Jardine has “scouted” for him.
by Razreshat on Oct 2, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
so true, I have been saying that for a while now – that’s why I had him beating Rampage
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
by lovingmma25 on Oct 2, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should be a good fight between these two.
by Hardcase on Oct 2, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WTF
y is everybody hatin on this fight? its a good light heavyweight match up. A lot of you said Keith Jardine would take a decision win over Thiago too and got your foot stuck squarely in your mouth after that. What is so wrong with this matchmaking? I think this is a great fight and I’m taking Thiago Silva 2nd round tko
by 05vette on Oct 2, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Because people (me too!) really wanted to see Rashad vs Rampage.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the reason that is not happening is...
neither Rashad nor Thiago’s fault.
Find Rampage’s phone number and let him know how disappointed you are he can’t keep his word…let alone a contract.
by Razreshat on Oct 2, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand. I’m explaining why people are angry about this fight. It’s like expecting lobster and then getting served a cheezburger. Sure, a cheezburger is good, but not when you’ve been expecting a lobster.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would not blame the lobster at all for getting the hell out of there in that example.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 2, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand people being upset about not getting Page/Rashad,
but we all know & have discussed those reason & that is not going to change. I actually am looking forward to Thiago/Rashad. I am not sold on who will win yet, but I am excited as this is the next best fight we can have since Jackson went al BA Baracus on us.
Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.
by dnevil001 on Oct 2, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would like Silva 2 win..
but Rashad is going to TKFO Silva in the first round….he is faster, and IMO hits harder.
by 1WAYtiket on Oct 2, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
To those who say this fight is stupid
Who else can Rashad fight?
by Meshuggeth on Oct 2, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kimbo!
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He could’ve fought Randy but declined. He says he wants to fight Anderson Silva. Rich Franklin would be interesting.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 4, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wrestling-advantage Rashad. His wrestling is greatly overrated by people, but is still a pretty big advantage here.
BJJ-Advantage Silva. He is a solid blackbelt.
Striking-pretty even.
I think this comes down to Silva being more open and taking to many strikes to the head. While I do think Rashad is somewhat overrated, he is very athletic and has KO power. I think he probably catches Silva with a big punch to end the fight.
www.knees2thehead.com
Check it out!!
by BJJDenver on Oct 2, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He also has good takedown defense.
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least your argument makes sense.
But I’ll take the mediocre Muay Thai fighter with superior BJJ over the amateur boxer with decent takedowns that he won’t even try to use.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
huh?
Why would an ’amateur boxer" try to take his opponent down?
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
by mythbuster on Oct 2, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Rashad going to play the grappler in this or what? I think if he should, Thiago has heavy hands.
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
by Bandaka on Oct 2, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The ground is where the biggest differential in skill lies.
by Ahhhoki on Oct 2, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know, Shad has the wrestling skills but why does he not show case them anymore? Did he even try and shoot for a TD against Machida? I don’t remember. He has really good striking and all but I think that might be his downfall, he has fallen in love with his hands.
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
by Bandaka on Oct 2, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rashad, as much I hate to say it, knock this fool out in round 32
by coachbarbour on Oct 2, 2009 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When did they increase non-title fights to 32 rounds?
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
by Bandaka on Oct 2, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
There’s actually 73 in non-title fights, now.
I didn’t know Cecil Peoples read BE.
Don't argue for the sake of arguing....
by Screwface on Oct 2, 2009 3:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
as much as i like thiago
and how good he’s been looking lately, i think rashad wins this one. would like to see thiago win though.
by kamachi on Oct 2, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thiago
probably won’t win this. His striking defense is poor, and i’d say that his chin is still definitely a question. Rashad throws some power, and I don’t think that Silva will be able to get Evans on his back. UD for Rashad at least, and probably a (T)KO win
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Oct 2, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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