Report: Roy Jones Jr. Agrees to Fight Anderson Silva Under MMA Rules, Dana White Declines
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 9:21 AM EDT
190 comments
According to Michael Woods over at CBS Sports, Roy Jones Jr. had agreed to fight Anderson Silva in a MMA rules bout within the Octagon of the UFC:
Roy Jones, who enjoyed a long run as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world in the 1990s, has issued a challenge to the best mixed martial artist in the world, Anderson Silva.
The 40-year-old Jones, who is coming off a win against game but faded vet Omar Sheika last month, is willing to battle the 34-year-old Silva in the UFC Octagon, adhering to regular UFC rules.
Interestingly enough, the story is actually true. CBS Sports contacted Dana White, and he had more than enough to say:
"That's a question you have to ask Dana White," Soares told us. "We'd love to fight Roy Jones. Anderson wants to challenge himself, he wants legendary fights."
So, how about it, Dana? Should fans of both disciplines get geared up for the crossover clash?
"You won't see a Silva versus Jones fight while Silva is under contract with me," White said Tuesday. "I don't want to say anything bad about Roy Jones, I like Roy Jones and was a fan of his, but he mattered like fifteen years ago. He's not anywhere near the best boxer in the world. He must've spent all his money."
.....
"I could do it, make it huge, make money, but I could have done a fight like this when we were bleeding money (in the early 2000s)," White said. "The fight would make some money, but it hurts MMA in the long term. We don't do that because we love the sport. That's a Pride or K-1 matchup. It's not what we do."
The only oddity I can see here is that Roy Jones Jr., a boxer who is well past his prime, actually wanted to step into the cage with Anderson Silva under MMA rules. While many fans would simply believe Silva would take Jones to the ground and pound him, I have no doubt that we would have seen a boxing display in the matchup without any possibility of a ground battle. Sort of like the Lytle-Davis "agreement".
Could the UFC really make some big money on this fight? I'm skeptical. I wonder if boxing fans would really tune in to see Roy Jones Jr. take on Anderson Silva with visions of grandeur that Jones can pull it off.
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I think it would have gotten mainstream press attention
let’s face it, Kimbo was the ESPN coverboy, the mainstream loves the freakshow fights. And Jones is a legend.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
by Kid Nate on May 6, 2009 9:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that’s what I’m leaning toward. Mainstream media probably would have been all over this. I’m positive these two would adhere to some sort of “gentleman’s agreement” to only box in the cage, but with smaller gloves, this fight is actually intriguing.
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by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With what? No kicks to the legs? Why would Anderson agree to that? From a pure punching standpoint, Jones is on another level compared to MMA fighters. Even at 60% of his prime, he would have crushing knockout power with the tiny 4 ounce gloves.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He'd agree to it...
because it’s likely as close as he’ll ever get to the “boxing match” he wants so badly with Roy. He hasn’t ever pushed for an MMA fight with Roy…it’s always been about the boxing
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just don't understand him...
What does he want to prove?
I know that Anderson is everyone crap list recently given how he has looked in his recent fights but why is he so insistent with a boxing match with Jones?
As a boxing fan who actually saw the ungodly mixed card Jones put on, I would order the UFC PPV if he were to face Anderson Why? because no matter what it is an event unlike Sliva/Mercer.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Silva idolizes Roy Jones Jr. Has for years. He styled himself the Roy Jones Jr. of MMA back when he was in Pride.
by toxic on May 6, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because he wants a challenge. He wants to test himself in a boxing match with Roy Jones, but his contract kills that option. So, Jones Jr. decides to agree to MMA rules, but we all know that Silva was willing to step into the boxing ring before all of this. Thus, I think an agreement is highly likely.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But how would that work when someone goes down to the floor from a punch? Do they wait up to them to get back up? Is the ref only going to stop it if someone is completely out?
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If they’re still conscience, Silva (and maybe RJJ) will back up and let the ref stand up the other fighter. If they’re knocked stupid, the fight is over.
"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment."
-Lao Tzu
by RoyalB on May 6, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Woah that is very old school. Pre Marquess of Queensberry rules. No standing 8 count, no 10 count, just until one of them is completely out.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well...at least not responsive, but yeah.
"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment."
-Lao Tzu
by RoyalB on May 6, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t call this a freak show. Freak show would be Jose’ Consenco. These are too of the greatest athletes in combat sports. This is one of those fights where it will show that MMA is not bar room brawling. This is an opportunity for Dana to prove that no boxer can come in thinking they get get by with their own skill set.
by The Bronzeville Bully on May 6, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this isn’t a K-1 thing. Roy Jones is a legend, he’s a real athlete (unlike the freak shows K-1 puts on). this fight would have been huge. it would have received all sorts of hype, and boxing fans, and UFC fans would have bought this. it would have been competitive if they had an “agreement”
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was talking to a friend about this, and with some sort of “agreement” and the smaller gloves… who knows what could happen.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
in an all out fight, MMA guys would win. but we don’t know what happens when you take away the takedowns, and the clinch, and the kicks. when anderson silva doesn’t have to worry about that. what would his boxing look like? Roy Jones, on the decline, would be a great test. he’s not the best current boxer. but i think it would still be incredibly competitive.
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I think it definitely has the legs to be hyped up considerably.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UFC 100
Anderson Silva vs Roy Jones Jr.
Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir
GSP vs Thiago Alves
Dan Henderson vs Michael Bisping
could you imagine?
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate you :(
That’s like showing a child a birthday gift and then taking it away.
In front of all his friends too.
by asa on May 6, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if it drew the attention of the UFC, i’m curious what people would pay for that card. i’d drop $75-100 to see that. granted, i watch it with 8-10 other people. but they could charge more for it. UFC 100 – $100 for those fights… i dont think people would blink at it.
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Besides Hendo and Bisping
I’m with you all the way. That’d be sweet.
by asa on May 6, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BLINK BLINK BLINK BLINK
I’m fucking broke, son.
by subo on May 6, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OUCH!! WHAT A CARD!!! IF IT WAS ONLY FOR REAL : (
MAKE IT HAPPEN MR. DANA
by Cableguy on May 6, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i almost don't blame Anderson for pouting over this
it would have been a mega mega payday for him and brought him into the mainstream of the U.S. consciousness.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
by Kid Nate on May 6, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He Should
be pouting over this, but maybe he is already on Dana’s Sh*t list for not putting away the past two guys?
I agree it would catapult Silva into the mainstream and get his name out there for future fights. I don’t ever root for the guy, but i’d have complete confidince he would win and not risk tarnishing his record.
all you gotta do is...
by imapimp08 on May 6, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm agreeing with Dana here (I know, big shock)
A past his prime boxer, pretty much beaten out of contention, 40 years old, comes into the Octagon for the first time against the holder of the longest winning streak ever in said Octagon, 34 years old, catches him on the button and puts him out.
How skilled do you now think MMA fighters are?
How do you disagree with people that say MMA is for people that can’t box?
by subo on May 6, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I give credit to Dana for not taking the easy money here.
Would be nice to put to bed the whole ‘even an old post his prime boxer would smash an MMA fighter standing’ myth though.
"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy
by Benicio on May 6, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I respect and understand Danas view on it but damn that would be great to watch. It would’ve been the first time we had really seen Boxing vs MMA. Sylvia vs Mercer doesn’t count. :) Missed oppurtunity IMO.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on May 6, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i agree with dana on exclusive contracts. i dont think he can bring in fedor for a one off fight. if fedor wins, the UFC heavy weight belt is worthless. but Roy Jones vs Anderson Silva, its two separate sports, if jones wins (and all they did was box), all the MMA guys would think “silva could have clinched and killed him with knees” and the belt still has validity.
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Randy fought Brock, and didn’t successfully defend his title. Rampage, Forrest, didn’t defend their titles successfully. What fricken difference is it if Fedor comes in for a one off title fight? It’s just like half the tilte fights that have taken place in the last few years. Just that the consensus #1 guy in the world would’ve won the most prestigious title in MMA when he deserved it. It’s still the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and if I’m not mistaken, the founding philosophy of this sport was to see what the results were, when you put two guys in the ring, with two different sets of tools. Freak fights?- Brock vs Mark Coleman, people forget this was actually announced -Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes – Tito Ortiz vs Ken Shamrock 2 and 3, the first one was a real grudge match. All these fights are completely irrelevant in their respective weight classes, and yet they made or would have made money. If Roy Jones Jr fights Andy Silva in a “cageboxing” match, I’ll rent it not because it’s a freak match, but because I want to see how Silvas hands measure up to one of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time. I wouldn’t expect him to win, but hell, that would be cool.
by bubbafat on May 6, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The difference is that if Fedor came in and beat the HW champion, he would no longer be in the UFC and thus devaluing the HW title and division. Rampage, Forrest and Randy all lost to people who were always going to be in the UFC after the fight.
by -Sam on May 6, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No difference to me. BJ Penn walked after he won a title. Jens Pulver, Frank Shamrock … The best should be fighting for a title, scheduling anything less than that, and THAT devalues the title. How does the best fighter in the world winning a championship devalue a belt? I want to see the best fights, you’re telling me we should settle for the best that the UFC has to offer. You’re setting a double standard, and allowing yourself to be swindled IMO.
by bubbafat on May 6, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BJ Penn is the very reason they won’t do that, because he walked away with a title is why they won’t sign fights like that anymore. It’s a professional sport and all professional sports are businesses, I know people don’t like that but it is what it is.
by who me on May 6, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because him winning the belt and not having another fight on his contract would lead to chaos.
The two options would be to cave into Fedor and Finky’s demands for him to fight again, or to have some other two people compete for a vacant title, neither of them make sense.
Since the majority of the UFC’s fans don’t know who Edor is, the belt isn’t devalued in their eyes. But it would be if he came in, won, and walked. Since they are the people that matter, they are the people Dana has to worry about, not you or me.
by Phildo on May 6, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are caving to the machine. For me it comes down to the best fighting the best. If the UFC doesn’t want to sign Fedor because he and his management are asking for something over the top, like a stadium, then fine. But if it’s just because he doesn’t want to remain exclusive, DW’s excuse for not giving us the fight is simply that, an excuse. Average fans who don’t know Fedor would get to know him real quick I assure you. Fedor is the best, he should fight the best.
by bubbafat on May 6, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exclusivity is huge, and not an excuse. A non exclusive fighter can never be guaranteed for a card, which is a big thing the UFC has going for it. cards are announced months in advance, and barring injuries, the fighter’s announced will fight.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on May 6, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question...
Why is it ok to take the top wrestlers & give them a shot at the big time (Brock, etc) but not one of the top boxers?
Jones was relevant MUCH MUCH more recently than 15 years ago, that’s an awful exaggeration.
I think Dana realized that Silva would stand & trade w/ Jones insteda of instantly submitting him… and Dana didn’t want to risk having Jones come in for this 1 fight only to KO his “#1 pound for pound” best fighter.
It would have been interesting, entertaining & exciting for us fans… but what Dana said was the truth, and probably a smart decision. At least we know he’s not just all about a quick and easy payday.
Keep Swillin',
Bruz
by Bruz on May 6, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably because many of the best MMA fighters have came from extensive wrestling backgrounds, and it’s been proven to be an unbelievable advantage and starting point for MMA fighters.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And they can cross over into BJJ a lot easier with the wrestling background.
by Wookalarman on May 6, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...
and the typical boxing stance is more or less just going to give up a takedown. Straight boxing doesn’t translate incredibly well to MMA. Punching and defensive aspects are valuable but there is NO preparation for takedowns/subs/working in the clinch…etc
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That and boxers know they can hang within the pocket and not be immediately KTFO’d. MMA is much different. If they resorted back to that style, they would most assuredly be put into a clinch and get Muay Thai’d to death.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think brock is a little different than roy jones. brock wanted to stay in the UFC and fought first against just a challenger, not the champion. roy jones would come in to only fight once, and fight not only the champion, but the UFC’s #1 P4P
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is this article in the fan posts? Leland is staff. I was hoping he won’t be able to flood the fan post section with awesomeness any more and he could stick to the main page.
by szucconi on May 6, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
had to work out some tech issues
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
by Kid Nate on May 6, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am surprised
A couple years ago when Mayweather was hyping up his fight against Osar, he trashed UFC fighters saying they are guys that couldn’t make it boxing and any boxer can come in and take their championship. Dana was so furious that he was willing to make it worth it for Mayweather if he stepped in the Octagon with Sherk. Predictbly, Floyd declined.
Now when Kermit Cintron offered to come in and fight Sherk Dana declined because Cintron was recognized fighter.
Now you got Roy Jones willing to step in. Let’s do this Dana.
by The Bronzeville Bully on May 6, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
excellent point. i think dana would trust sherk to take mayweather down and do what sean sherk does. i don’t think dana trusts anderson silva to use muay thai or his BJJ.
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jones has to worry about leg kicks and the muay thai clinch too. Jones would have a puncher’s chance in this fight. He stepping into a sport where combat is not just limited to your hands.
by The Bronzeville Bully on May 6, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I imagine there would be a gentleman’s agreement that the fight would pretty much be a boxing match with little gloves.
by toxic on May 6, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So basically what you’re saying is that Dana’s a pussy?
by madiq on May 6, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Truth be told… Cintron should be fighting in the MMA instead of boxing.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Kermit loses to Angulo on the 30th, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he switches. At that point, big boxing paydays will be out of reach for him.
by Nick_ on May 6, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW, Pretty Boy recanted on that statement afterwards. He has a ton of respect for MMA fighters & the UFC. Typical pre-fight trash talk that gullible fools take seriously.
by frickshun on May 6, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was just fight hype. Floyd recanted post-fight.
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
by Mike Fagan on May 6, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If this was kept standing
It would be interesting. If not, Jones loses badly.
Creator of the FightMatrix rating system.
by JCS_FM on May 6, 2009 10:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't get it
Why does majority think that if this fight was kept standing Silva could lose. Is everyone forgettting that standup fighting in MMA is not limited to just your hands?
by The Bronzeville Bully on May 6, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
most of us dont think silva would do anything other than box. no, that isn’t MMA, but its possibly how jones was lured into fighting under “MMA” rules
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly I’m not sure why anyone would want to see them turn MMA into silly boxing in a cage, the only reason I would care about this being a MMA fight is if they didn’t agree to just box in a cage. If Roy Jones Jr wanted to become a MMA fighter and go the whole way with this that would be great but a backstage agreement to just box spits in the face of the sport. They can do boxing or MMA but this half and half crap is silly.
by who me on May 6, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not worth the risk
Personally i would love to see this fight, but there is no reason for Dana White to accept it. Silva would most likely want to challenge himself and stand with Jones Jr. I do not care if Jones is not what he used to be, he would beat Silva in a boxing match. If Silva won people could say Jones was past his prime or it was a mismatch because of the ground game. All in all if Jones won it would be a huge hit for MMA and if Silva won it would be a small victory.
http://judothrow.blogspot.com (sorry about being that guy)
by Zach Krantz on May 6, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think
it would certainly be more than a “small victory” if Silva effectively neutralized Jones’ boxing with his own striking. I think the champ would keep the fight standing, but most definitely use all the tools in his striking arsenal.
by noscarznoproof on May 6, 2009 10:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i write minimal because boxing fans can defend it as Jones was past his prime and Silva is in his prime. It definitely would be a victory, the risk is too high. The loss is much more extreme. In my novice opinion.
http://judothrow.blogspot.com (sorry about being that guy)
by Zach Krantz on May 6, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t worry about being that guy – there are plenty of them already here
by subo on May 6, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jones would absolutely work him
Anderson has no business in a boxing ring with Roy Jones Jr., at any age. Just as Roy would get embarrassed by Anderson in a real MMA match.
I agree with Dana 100% here. The UFC has too much to lose by putting their top P4P guy up against a non-MMA fighter. If Anderson takes him down and chokes him it’s a win over “a guy who doesn’t fight MMA”. If Anderson gets knocked cold with a right hook it’s “UFC guys aren’t as tough as real fighters”. Why risk your credibility for money (when you already have it)?
by jebushchrist on May 6, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This isn’t a boxing match. Its in a cage. We are talking an MMA fight with a big name boxer that he is turning down.
by szucconi on May 6, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think his second paragraph addresses that
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He mentioned Spidey choking him out
Not knocking him out. That right there is the key thing.
This is Dana’s time to put his money where his mouth is. He’s already said he’d do it back during the Sherk reign. What? He’ll do it then but not with the “Pound 4 Pound Best?” This would be cautious business at best if he hadn’t issued open challenges back then, but now someone’s willing to step up and he’s backing down. Its downright foolish.
This will get out to the boxing media and they’ll rightly see the UFC and “Ultimate Fighters” as trash talking trash. And even though we could easily prove otherwise, Dana’s ego won’t let him.
Dana’s had his punk card pulled by Roy and/or Silva.
by asa on May 6, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The main thing....
is that Dana knew Sherk would shoot across the ring, grab a takedown and pound Floyd out.
It’s pretty clear that Anderson wants to box with Roy which is why Dana doesn’t want to see it.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree with your statement. but isn’t it the fighters right to decide if he wants to box only in the cage? but maybe its the promoters right to book only the fights he thinks will have the possibility of encompassing all MMA.
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the crux of this whole thing...
Silva is thinking about Silva, and what he wants to do. He wants to stand and bang with RJJ, and RJJ probably has that unspoken agreement with Silva.
White is thinking of the UFC and even MMA by expecting/fearing his unpredictable champ wouldn’t fight MMA with Jones. That might very well lead to a lucky KO.
The fight’s in a cage, it’s under the auspices of MMA and should be fought that way. I bet White wouldn’t have a problem with a fighter he knew simply wanted to win, rather than to test himself in one part of MMA. Silva isn’t P4P just because of his punching, it’s because of his whole package, and he simply wouldn’t use the whole package against RJJ.
by mmac on May 6, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure it’s a fighter’s right to fight how he wants, but we all know what Silva wants: he wants to box, not fight MMA with Jones.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on May 6, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What makes you convinced that Anderson will just go in and box?
by The Bronzeville Bully on May 6, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cause there’s not another way in hell that RJJ would agree to an MMA-rules match unless he knew that Anderson wouldn’t actually do anything other than box. He’s not stupid; he knows that he doesn’t have any MMA training, and that Silva – not a great wrestler – could easily take him to the mat and sub him, or just thai clinch him into oblivion. He’s not so egotistical to be blinded to those facts.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 6, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. I think Dana fears that this would turn into a boxing match, and then the cards are on the table. Who would win? Dana wants a sure-fire win for Silva in this matchup if he’s under the UFC banner.
Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com
by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And we knew Royce would try and sub Hughes
Didn’t change the fact that it was important for the growth of the sport. If Matt lost, he lost to a legend at a specific discipline, but if he won, he shows the well-rounded modern fighter is superior.
This could be a re-hash for the mainstream. But it requires confidence in Silva. Silva needs challenges or we get what we’ve been seeing of him. It all seems to fit.
The only thing stopping this is Dana’s fear, but he has to have confidence in his P4P best if outside fans are going to keep/start taking this sport seriously.
by asa on May 6, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They knew with Royce and Hughes it was MMA vs MMA and both fighters were going all out with every skill they had. I think Dana would allow this in a second if he didn’t think Anderson Silva would just use boxing in the fight and make a mockery of the sport. What’s the point of having this as a MMA fight if it’s not actually going to be a MMA fight? What’s the point in Dana allowing this to happen if he knows SIlva isn’t going to fight as a MMA fighter in it?
by who me on May 6, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. Just because Royce didn’t ever develop good standup doesn’t mean that it’s the same as Jones never developing take down defence or submissions. Hughes smoked Royce BECAUSE he used all the tools that the rules allow; for Anderson to just ignore them to level the playing field is twisting the point of the match – to see who is better at MMA.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 6, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats the heart of the issue, Dana just doesnt trust Anderson anymore. I dont blame him.
"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy
by Benicio on May 6, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you know what type of match it is? Do you really believe Roy Jones agreed to fight Anderson Silva in a real MMA match? Come on. This is a hype fight with a “gentlemen’s agreement” to keep it standing. It’d turn out like a bad episode of Bully Beatdown. No thanks.
I’d prefer to see Anderson get back to fighting MMA fighters, which is why we care in the first place.
by jebushchrist on May 6, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess “bad episode of Bully Beatdown” is redundant… anyway
by jebushchrist on May 6, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I shall now ban you for speaking ill of Bully Beatdown...
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fuck Dana White
I love how his standard defense to anything is always something like.
“Tito’s washed up”
“Fedor sucks”
“Fedor isn’t a top 5 heavyweight”
“Roy Jones hasn’t mattered in 15 years”
“Phillipe Nover is the next GSP”
Whenever he is trying to sell something or cant get something done. What a clown.
" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "
by aaronb on May 6, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
tito might be washed up, he hasn’t fought in so long how would we know
by JoLy on May 6, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also:
“Fedor sucks.” Check the pics of Fedor from that Korean vacation he took last year – I saw the man sucking. Through a straw.
“Fedor isn’t a top 5 heavyweight.” Also true: Out of fairness we’ve moved him off the heavyweight ranking and onto the list of deadliest animals.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on May 6, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
His public reasoning might be a bunch of BS, but I think the real thought process behind it is much more complex. But you don’t air your dirty laundry in front of everybody when it would mean throwing your MW champion and “P4P best fighter” under the bus.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 6, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think it’s ever complex the real business reasons are just serious and simply not going to be appreciated by the fans. It’s easier to say stupid “man law” lies/exaggerations that everybody isn’t going to take very seriously, but will be greatly entertained by.
by natyong on May 7, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roy Jones is delusional.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm undecided on how I feel about this.
Part of me would love to see this fight.
The other part of me is glad the UFC won’t go the route of setting up one-off freak show type fights just to make a buck. Now I don’t know if this falls into freak show fight category but to me it’s somewhere in that direction if everyone seems to think there will be some kind of agreement to keep it standing. I don’t want to see the top organization that puts on the most respected events having to answer questions about fighters making agreements to fight a certain way. I don’t want to see every fighter have to be put under the microscope of whether their fight had any pre-agreed upon conditions to it.
by mattman73 on May 6, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i know it's not popular ...
but i think Dana’s logic is pretty smart here. plus, Jones would probably want to fight for a purse comparable to the ones he was being paid in boxing, and that certainly doesn’t fit in the UFC’s gameplan, i’d imagine.
by bobthewriter on May 6, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
From a business standpoint
Dana is probably right. Yes there would be mainstream coverage and all that. But pretty much everyone has come to the conclusion that there would be an agreement to keep it standing. Imagine then that Jones comes in and KO’s Silva. It would be a tremendous argument for Boxing over MMA. If a guy past his prime comes in a beats the UFC’s middleweight champion and undeniably one of the 3 p4p fighters in the world, what does that say about MMA’s claim of having the best fighters in the world? Because the record books would say it was an MMA fight regardless of any agreement the public wouldn’t know of anyway. If a guy on the downpoint of his career comes in and beats one of MMA’s best (if not the best) in his prime and at his own game, how big of a blow would that be to the sport of MMA do you think?
Kuwabara Kuwabara
by J. B. Maddox on May 6, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How Big Of A PPV Draw Was Jones?
I’m a very casual Boxing fan so I do not know the numbers. Anderson does not draw in big PPV # but with Jones on the card it seems that with all the media hype it can be a monster draw. I guess Dana does not want to take the chance of Anderson getting KO by Jones and possiably loosing all cred of MMA being more tactical, and tougher than boxing.
by EVeezy on May 6, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
One of the problems with roy...
Is that he always wants to promote his own fights but has nasty habits of skipping press appearances…etc. During his prime most of his fights were HBO broadcasts and not PPVs.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you would still have to imagine this would draw like a “once a year boxing event”. it would have to push 2 million buys, right?
by MicahW on May 6, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
probably i mean, if the UFC pushes it right then yeah.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"That's a Pride or K-1 matchup. It's not what we do."
Jesus, did I just agree with something Dana White said?
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on May 6, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I had the same reaction. Don’t worry; you should stop feeling dirty soon.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 6, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How much money would RJJ want for this?
by The Legend on May 6, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
All the guys on here talking about RJJ dominating are talking out of yer butts! He has never fought w/these small gloves where it’s harder to pick off shots. He has been KO’d badly by Johnson & Tarver. If Silva hits him clean w/small gloves, I expect a similar outcome. I’ve seen Silva walk through peoples punches & not flinch. Plus, Roy has to deal w/5 minute rds. He doesn’t have the gas @ this point in his career to effectively fight 3 5 minutes rds. Of course he’s a much better boxer & Silva would definitely use this “loophole” to have his boxing match. But Silva has all the advantages of familiarity in fighting w/MMA rules & equipment.
You Dana White haters are exposing your bias. Dana is protecting his brand & the sport he is still helping to build. If any of you understood business, you’d realize this is not benefitting anything other than fanboy dreams. Last time I checked, that is not what drives PPV buys or merchandise sales.
As much as I’d like to see this fight to gauge Silva’s boxing, I’d much rather see him fight a real MMA fight against all future contenders. Whoever wants this over a Marquardt rematch or Maia or Wandy (my fanboy dream) or even Bisping (c’mon, he’s improving) IS F_CKING CRAZY!!!
by frickshun on May 6, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It seems to me you have no idea who RJJ is… which kinda show how bad your posts is.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if all they cared about was money, then this would be a done deal.
Kuwabara Kuwabara
by J. B. Maddox on May 6, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you misplaced your sarcasm detector.
by Michael Rome on May 6, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TBF, given some of the responses in this thread, its hard to blame him.
by -Sam on May 6, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think everyone here is right, Dana is skeptical of a gentleman’s agreement to make this a boxing match.
by Michael Rome on May 6, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Given Anderson’s behaviour lately, and how silly it would make the UFC look, I think it’s with good reason. It also puts him into the tough position of having to give a definitive “NO” on the match happening but being unable to give the real reason. “C’mon, we all know Silva is lying and just wants to box with him,” probably wouldn’t go over well with his MW champ.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 6, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s not like Dana hasn’t give fighters fight of the night bonus of fighters that do the same thing. The only thing that has Dana against it is that he won’t be able to get a exclusive contract with Roy Jones Jr.
by natyong on May 6, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This fight would only open up a can of worms...
… because all the other posters here are right: It’ll just turn into a boxing match, just with smaller gloves. This will be all about boxing vs mma, and the last thing mma needs is mainstream press covering a fading boxer (albeit one that was amazing in his prime) KO the P4P best MMA fighter in the world, who’s still in his prime. Sure, with those small gloves, Silva could KO Jones instead, but regardless, I think Dana is right that it hurts MMA in the long term. While I am personally intrigued and would even like to see such a fight, it’s still a freak show.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on May 6, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The sad thing is, everyone would still talk about it as “boxing vs. MMA”, but really it would be a fantastic but aged boxer versus a fantastic mixed martial artists pretending to be a boxer. It would be a boxing match, not a particularly interesting one, and MMA would still suffer all the blowback.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 6, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s just no incentive for Dana to do this. They already make money hand over fist. Why risk everything to please a whiny champion who can’t draw from their perspective?
If it was GSP or something they might do it, but with Anderson there’s too big of a risk he decides to box, and you’re risking everything to make a star out of a guy leaving.
by Michael Rome on May 6, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Silva can draw, just not in the way Dana wants. Silva wants to fight. pretty much every other card if allowed. People will care and won’t mind a loss or two if he got hit with a “lucky” shot. Dana doesn’t want his champions to fight all that often though so Silva becomes the whiny fighter. My point is moot though cause Dana/UFC ain’t going to change and they own Silva.
You are certainly right though that this makes no sense to Dana business wise. The thing is is the reasons he has given are all lies. He won’t get Roy Jones Jr. to promote exclusively in a contract so it’s a no go right off the bat. He won’t do it for Fedor he won’t do it for Jones. If he could get Jones for like 3 fights I bet he would be all for it. Dana loves the freak show MMA stuff in the UFC. Lesnar, Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis, etc. He has to own his fighters for at least 2-3 years after they quit fighting in the UFC unless he cuts them for losing. Also I’m not saying that the “freak shows” aren’t the real deal, just that their true drawing power is anything but true MMA that Dana is supposedly trying to protect.
by natyong on May 6, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Silva can draw, just not in the way Dana wants.
This sentence confuses me to no end.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on May 6, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was trying to figure out how Marcus Davis is a freak show fighter or how he came to the conclusion that Anderson Silva wants to fight on every other card but Dana White won’t let him?
by who me on May 6, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, wasn’t clear on those. Dana wants to promote personalities not MMA. Dana want’s charismatic fighters. Silva language skills play a big part in hampering this. Silva marketability lies in his striking.
Champions don’t defend belts in the UFC all that often on purpose. Dana wants to milk the build up to the fight as much as possible before the fight itself. Thus long layovers, jumping weight classes, and most importantly TUF. Dana builds fights. The conclusion doesn’t really make that big a difference in him getting paid. It’s the decision of fans to buy before the fights even happens that matter.
This makes a catch 22 situation for the UFC. Silva can’t lose or the striking aura greatly suffers. Dana has to get him a ton a fights, as Soares has asked for multiple times, this marketability is showcased. This seriously would hamper his championship hype buildup.
It’s confusing, but it has hard cores greatly interested. Anything A. Silva has been blowing up recently. Anderson has been fight to get definitive wins and not the finish, but in doing so jeopardizes the one true drawing power he has. I think he would be willing to fight for finishes if he were allowed to fight more often.
Davis is only a freak show because he get’s “fight of the night” bonuses. He gets them because of matchmaking and gentleman’s agreements. It’s not “true” MMA. He is legit MMA fighters but he doesn’t care to be a “true” MMA fighter and try to get to the top. He want’s the safe route of getting paid. Dana pays him and rewards this attitude.
My points are probably still far from clear, but hope this helps ya’ll a bit if you were really interested.
by natyong on May 7, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anderson Silva defended his title 3 times in 2007 and twice in 2008( the James Irvin fight took a title defense spot). Three fights a year is pretty typical for most fighters and has been for a while. Guys fighting ever 4 months is pretty common and it also helps them keep healthier longer, obviously some guys want to fight more often but a lot don’t (and some even three a year seems to be too much). Heck Anderson Silva passed on UFC 95 because Soares said it was too soon after his UFC 90 fight
Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the Feb. 21 date in London was too soon for Silva’s next bout.
“With our timing and our scheduling, it just makes more sense to come back [in April],” Soares said.
Soares said nothing has been determined. However, he also said that Silva would prefer to fight in at as-yet-unannounced April card.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/13453/anderson-silva-unlikely-to-headline-ufc-95-april-return-possible.mma
Obviously the business of MMA is going to affect Dana White’s decisions (by definition professional sports are all for profit businesses) and yes he wants to build the fights up as much as possible but I don’t think he is holding guys back from fighting or intentionally burying title defenses. Heck that hurts his business because they put on so many shows now they need all the headliners they can get. The lightweight division is a real mess between Sherk’s problems and Penn’s demands to fight GSP but I don’t see where the lack of lightweight title defenses has helped the UFC or why Dana White would plan things that way. Long layovers kill a fighters momentum and hurt their drawing power and that hurts the UFC too. For casual fans out of sight really is out of mind.
I do agree that TUF has really screwed with the fight schedule in the past but that is the nature of the beast when talking about shooting a tv show. I’d prefer if they stuck to coaches with rivalries as opposed to trying to promote title defenses with it because it does put the belt in limbo.
As far as Marcus Davis goes I think you are painting him with a very broad brush because he had that silly talk before the Lytle fight. He’s got fight night bonuses after three fights but it’s not like all his fights are like the Lytle fight or his fights with the guys in England. He’s fought a good mix of fighters and surprisingly enough half his wins are by submission. If he hadn’t lost the Swick fight he probably would of stepped way up in comptition by now because he has been racking up a lot of wins. I do understand how bad the talk before the Chris Lytle fight was and yes he has had a couple of real stand up battles in England (he is a former professional boxer) but that’s no reason to call him a freak show fighter. It just seems like a real stretch to call him that just because he likes to stand and bang in his fights.
by who me on May 7, 2009 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Rec’d.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on May 7, 2009 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yah, I forgot about that 95 quote. Call me a conspiracy nut but I think that was a canned UFC response. Everybody turned down the 95 with mostly this excuse due to the delayed showing and the low expected PPV showing. Many of those camps also had contradictory quotes of how they would love to fight their proposed opponent at any time as they were tired of being sidelined.
On the “Freak” show issue. I love these fights! I miss Pride, the self taughts Evan Tanner and Krazy Horses(heh heh), the David and Goliath matches. I never meant it as a insult in my using of it. I mean by today’s lofty standards UFC would never happen cause the first 20 shows would have been detrimental. It’s like saying Harlem Globetrotters are a disgrace to basketball. It might not be “relevant” today but it’s still entertaining.
Here’s another example TUF. Has it been good for MMA or is it a “freak” show? In my opinion yes on both accounts.
Back on topic, I’m more than okay with Dana turning down this fight. I think it’s more than the right move for the UFC. It just isn’t for MMA in my opinion. It could be if marketed wrong. Even if it is marketed wrong how bad is it really going to be.
finally great response who me, I’m making you green.
by natyong on May 7, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fighters always say they want to fight more or that they are always ready to fight when they are hyping things up, that’s part of the game but that doesn’t mean that they actually want to fight more often and looking back at the way guys coming out of Pride have aged before their time it really seems that fighting more often isn’t all that good for the fighters. The higher level a fighter gets the less often they fight, that’s how it’s been in boxing too it’s not a UFC thing it’s a professional fight sport thing.
People get offended about the freak show tag for some reason, but it is what it is. People do like to be entertained and there is nothing wrong with that unless there is a chance a guy will get really hurt. I just don’t put Marcus Davis in that catagory, he’s a guy trying to fight up the ranks in his division.
by who me on May 7, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely agree on the fighters not wanting to fight all that often, especially when they’ve made it to the top. You see that in the Champs happy to go on TUF. Promotional deals and all that are great if your the champ. Dana has made a system that keeps a good majority of his better fighters pretty happy.
I just don’t think Silva is one of them. That being said I’m a stupid American so everything I’ve said has probably been cleaned up a couple of times before I’ve heard it. I just feel that if Dana will guarantee that Silva will at least fight 4-5 times a year Silva would be more than happy to do these lesser shows. He seemed glad to headlined a Fight Night card as a champion.
On Davis:
On considering our point I realize that the two, “freakshow” appeal sports purist, aren’t mutually exclusive. Randy vs Lesnar, Royce Sakaraba war, and Original PRIDE Shockwave are just a few examples of these exponential benefits of combining these factors.
by natyong on May 7, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m shocked that anyone anywhere is clamoring for this thing. I don’t want to see Silva box Jones because Jones should whoop him. I don’t want to see Jones fight Silva with MMA rules because Silva would near-murder him. And I definitely don’t want to see Silva and Jones in a cage with some “gentleman’s agreement” because that’s some EXC shit.
If Silva really just wants to test himself with Roy, why not bring him in to your training camp and spar?
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
by Mike Fagan on May 6, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Cause there ain’t no money in that, and RJJ needs to get paid.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 6, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. Also, Silva wants that pay and notoriety. There’s no glory in beating Jones in a sparring match back in some camp.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on May 6, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t want it to ever happen either. But I can’t help my morbid fascination of watching such an event.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on May 6, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec'd.
In my mind, this is all that needs to be said on this subject.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on May 6, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would an athletic commission even sanction this?
by who me on May 6, 2009 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably. They’d bend over for anything for the right amount of money and pressure.
by Michael Rome on May 6, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was doubtful that it would be sanctioned as a boxing match due to Silva’s lack of boxing experience so why would they sanction Jones Jr to fight a world champion MMA fighter when he’s never fought MMA in his life and has no MMA training?
by who me on May 6, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It depends what state they are in…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The UFC makes a point of fighting in States where the sport is sanctioned and there are athletic commissions, yes the fight could happen if they really wanted it to happen it’s just that they UFC normally doesn’t go the Adrenaline route.
by who me on May 6, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are states where there isn’t a commission and you have god awful fights that are made. I believe several months ago Tommy Morrison/Tommy Gunn from Rocky V( aka a guy who was banned from fight for AIDS) fought in some no name town In Wyoming because they didn’t have a athletic commission. The city was all over it and supported the fight when every one who is invested in boxing was outraged.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but those are money marks.
No self respecting MMA promoter who’s serious about the sport would pull something like that off.
"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment."
-Lao Tzu
by RoyalB on May 6, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes that is the same as what I said, the difference is that the UFC doesn’t do that. They put on shows where there are athletic commissions and even in England they are pushing the government there to start regulating the sport. I know they can do it where there isn’t any sanctioning but lets be honest if the UFC was going to put on a big event like that they wouldn’t do it out in the middle of Wyoming or Alabama they would want to do it in a big market.
by who me on May 6, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Corrupt Athletic commissions?
by The Bronzeville Bully on May 6, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have absolutely no interest in seeing this fight, which if contested in good faith under MMA rules would be less competitive than Silva fighting Ken Shamrock.
by Jahbulon on May 6, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Silva is a BJJ black belt, even if he doesn’t use it that often how hard would it be to take down and sub someone with no ground training at all? In a real MMA fight this takes less time than the walk out to the cage, that’s why it would be such a joke for them to have some silly back stage agreement to make this into cage boxing in the UFC.
by who me on May 6, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Knew Roy and Silva Still Wanted To Fight Eachother Bad...
Where are all those people who said do you think Roy still wants to fight Silva after his last performances or if he loses?
My answer back then was ABSOLUTELY! What say the nay sayers?
Knowing Anderson Silva and his persistence, this fight will happen outside of the UFC.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 6, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well...
Roy ain’t gonna keep going forever.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 6, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your right I drastically underestimated how desperate Roy Jones Jr must be, are they about to repossess his house or something?
by who me on May 6, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jones is very well off from what I understand and doesn’t have money trouble.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then why would he want to make a joke out of himself?
by who me on May 6, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it is a quasi boxing match and not a MMA match… Jones would decimate Anderson. It would be the easiest money he will ever earn.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do agree with that but in the boxing world wouldn’t this still be viewed as a sideshow?
by who me on May 6, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah and Dana wouldn’t want to dilute his excellent product. That is why I asked when Anderson Contract is up. I don’t see Dana ever oking something like this on a UFC card.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sylvia v. Mercer?
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on May 6, 2009 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Obviously
Roy is looking past his boxing career and wants to start building up his Square Ring Promotion company. Probably trying to take a page from DLH and bridging the hottest thing at the moment (MMA) with what he does best, boxing.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 6, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s what he is doing when he puts on mixed cards not when he gets into a UFC cage.
by who me on May 6, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What better promotion than you fighting in your own promoted events to make the most $$$ ala GB and DLH.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 6, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good luck to him on this. He’s likely looking at another year + in the UFC as they’ll do 4-6 months between fights for 4 more fights. Then if he’s champion his contract extends, so he can spend years in court. Maybe he’ll fight Jones when Jones is 83.
by Michael Rome on May 6, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is not gonna happen for 3 reasons…
1) Roy wants boxing money and that shit will never happen. It can potentially destroy Zuffa’s model – not worth the risk.
2) More than likely Soares and camp agreed to make this a “boxing” match in the octagon – which also has the risk of tranishing MMA.
3) The same reason HBO doesnt want UFC to get brand penetration in its boxing fanbase, Zuffa doesnt want boxing and roy to get brand penetration in the UFC fanbase.
- who wants a situation where HBO can counter program the UFC?
by mmalogic on May 6, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
1… Correct. Jones has always been a douche when it comes to making a contract.
2. Agree. I would think if this were to happen in the UFC, it would have to um… a mixed martial arts fight. Not a quasi boxing with smaller gloves.
3. I agree…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone knows when Andersons Silva contract ends with UFC?
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Think he's got four fights left
But the UFC has a nasty habit of icing people before their last fight, so I’d say….two years?
"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment."
-Lao Tzu
by RoyalB on May 6, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not if he's still champion
Then it extends until he retires or loses the belt
by subo on May 6, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah! Thank you.
That too.
"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment."
-Lao Tzu
by RoyalB on May 6, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The champion’s clause isn’t “until he loses the belt” it just adds three fights (or one year) to his contract.
by who me on May 6, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He could easily retire and box if wanted to.
Nothing is preventing him from doing that, and then un-retiring.
Its not so shocking (cough cough Randy).
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 6, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that worked out well for him.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on May 6, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Randy/Fedor was a great fight, I’ll give you that.
by subo on May 6, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You must have been the genius giving Randy advice in the first place. Do you believe anything you write?
by Michael Rome on May 6, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did I say he did the right thing or that it was possible to do?
Thats what I thought.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 6, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What’s what you thought?
The silence you heard between typing those two sentences?
by subo on May 6, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And
He could easily retire and box if wanted to.
Nothing is preventing him from doing that, and then un-retiring.
Would be interpreted by most sane people as you saying it was possible to do.
by subo on May 6, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and the “cough, cough” should easily be interpreted by most sane people as “don’t believe anything I just said” or “someones got me by the balls.”
Add the smiley at the end then end of the post and you most normal SANE people would assume that Randy doesn’t have him by the balls.
by natyong on May 6, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UFC has clauses that prevent this. He can’t retire, and fight RJJ. It likely has a non-compete clause for all combative sports.
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by Leland Roling on May 6, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be the only problem in his contract, but I can only imagine since I wouldn’t know how his contract looks like.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 6, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When has you not knowing anything stopped you from rampant speculation?
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on May 6, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m gald Dana turned this freak show down, I can’t wait to see Forrest take out Anderson i’ve lost all respect for the guy after his latest stunts.
by Raker on May 6, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The UFC is stupid for not making this fight.....
They’d sell sooooooo many PPVs for this. EVEYONE would want to see it. In the meanwhile they’d get tons of new fans on the main card fights, attracting a new fan base.
How many boxing guys you think are out there that never watch it, that would atcually give MMA a chance to see RJJ in the cage and could actually become fans? I bet quite a bit.
Silva would destroy RJJ under MMA rules. If it makes money, it makes sense. Do it Dana. These are 2 men, who are the same weight, who are both great fighters. I don’t see how he calls this a freak show.
by Dexerion on May 6, 2009 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Silva won’t destroy Jones Jr if they have some sort of backstage agreement to go out there and just box regardless of what the rules are and that is why they won’t pull the trigger on this fight. If they thought it would be real MMA they would but it turning into silly ass cage boxing with smaller gloves just isn’t worth the risk.
by who me on May 6, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dana as much as he bashes Ross Greenburg (AKA head of HBO Sports) he is alot like him. He doesn’t want to dilute his product. He has his niche and they make great money from it.
Love Dana or hate him he has every fight to say hell no to this and he has justifiable reasons for it.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
by Zocalo on May 6, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s not that he wants to dilute his product, He wants a great ranking active boxer to fight at least a sporting fight for a couple fights.
"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment."
-Lao Tzu
by RoyalB on May 6, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would rather see RJJ fight Demian Mia.
Keep firing Assholes!
It must be nice to have such low standards.
by Ubernoober on May 6, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Maia – choke (all of them simultaneously) – 0min 07sec, rd. 1
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 6, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It will never happen.
No one will santion a fight between these two in either venu.
by Saevus Antistes on May 6, 2009 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Quebec, Great Britian, or Germany would all allow it for sure.
I also think that a few of places in the US would sanction it as a MMA bout, Just not a boxing match up. The bigs though that would actually make the big money wouldn’t though for sure, Nevada, Cali, or NJ
by natyong on May 7, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are lots of places without athletic commissions where they could have it but I do have to wonder if there is anyplace with an athletic commission that would sanction the fight for boxing or MMA.
by who me on May 7, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It would make sense eventually
if Jones was serious about a potential MMA career and not just a one-fight payday.
That’s what gives this fight it’s “freak show”, “lots to lose and little to gain” image.
If Jones trained MMA, fought a couple lower tier guys, and then got a title shot, it would make sense.
Bottom line, he doesn’t want a career in MMA. At his age, he wants a payday, and he doesn’t care what he has to do to get it.
by nandez44 on May 7, 2009 2:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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