Wanderlei Silva Looks Forward to Fighting at 185

by Randomus on Feb 13, 2009 8:30 PM EST

Wanderlei Silva is preparing to make the long needed drop -- at least in my opinion -- from light heavyweight down to middleweight, with the fighter telling ESPN's Franklin McNeil his plans prior to UFC 94 on Jan. 31.

After signing with the UFC, he has gone 1-2 in the LHW division, beating Keith Jardine but losing to Quinton Jackson and Chuck Liddell.

Since then, he has confirmed his plans to drop in weight to numerous other members of the media, and most would agree that the middleweight division fits him better. Most fighters competing at LHW cut significant weight to make the 205-pound weight limit, while Silva's walking weight is just 208 pounds.

"I think this is the technique," Silva recently told MMAWeekly.com. "Yeah, I could try because every guy in my division have to cut to 205 and my normal is 208. I'm going to test now... I'm going to cut my weight. Maybe I go to fight in my next fight at 185," says Silva. Always toeing the company line, he's not ready to make a permanent move, adding, "I could fight in both divisions; I could fight 185 and 205."

And although he's willing to drop down to MW, like he told MMAWeekly, it's also highly likely he'll step back into the LHW division in the future.

I know Mike already wrote about this late last month, but I just wanted to bring the topic up again, as it's cold and rainy and wanted something to ramble about. I'm curious to see who the UFC matches him up with for his first fight at MW. Any guesses?

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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Leben is always a good choice (whenever he gets back from suspension)

he will stand and train, no fear of take down, not very technical. If he can’t beat leben he can’t beat anyone

by dbcb on Feb 13, 2009 8:50 PM EST reply actions

Some sort of welcoming present I’d assume.

An Alan Belcher, David Loiseau or yeah, Chris Leben. Someone to stand up with and get his feet wet.

by Sam Cupitt on Feb 13, 2009 9:03 PM EST reply actions

Bisping.

by Annie83 on Feb 14, 2009 10:02 AM EST reply actions

Am i the only one that doesn’t think a move down is going to make any difference? His problem is not the size difference, it’s his inability to stand and trade properly with his crazy wild technique. i mean, something is always going to land on him with that style and yeah…he’s taking a chance of catching a shot on the jaw every damn time.

If he does that against Anderson Silva, he’s going to get KO’d just like James Irvin did. I think there are a few guys at 185 that would give him fits standing and def on the ground.

So yeah, great he could beat the Lebens of the world, but after that? He’s never beating Anderson Silva.

by Bigperm on Feb 14, 2009 10:20 AM EST reply actions

I mentioned it before that I still don’t think he is top 5 at this weight either.

But the weight change will help his chin. MW’s aren’t going to hit as hard as LHW’s and HW’s have… i mean shit.. hes been knocked out by rampage, crocop, and hendo.

I just think the sport has passed by the one-dimensional guys like Wand… especially when his one dimension is wild striking.

by dbcb on Feb 14, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions