Ed Soares: Anderson Silva Didn't Get Elbow Surgery
It came out a few days ago that Anderson Silva informed the UFC of his decision to get elbow surgery, and that he would be out until early 2010. A new report from Kevin Iole casts doubt on this story. In his weekly mailbag, in response to a question about a potential Couture-Silva superfight, Iole dropped this bombshell:
I spoke to Ed Soares, Silva's manager, and contrary to published reports, Silva has not had surgery on his elbow and is not in any way incapable of fighting in November if he's offered a fight. Soares said he hasn't spoken to Silva about fighting Couture yet, and stressed that such a fight has never been discussed with the UFC. But he did say, "Anderson wants to fight the biggest and the best fighters out there and Randy Couture falls into that category. After Anderson saw the way he fought Rodrigo Nogueira, he said he became an even bigger Randy Couture fan."
I assume we'll get the surgery issue cleared up in a few days. Perhaps it was just a case of wrong information, or perhaps Anderson didn't want to fight overseas? I don't know the answer, and even the latter explanation doesn't really make sense. If he really is healthy, I suspect they are saving Anderson for the New Year's show, and can't afford to give away another main event in November.
The prospect of a Randy Couture fight is absolutely frightening and intriguing at the same time, and it may be the kind of big gun they're willing to pull out if Rampage and Rashad are delayed for longer than expected. Couture would be (at least) a +400 underdog, but then again, maybe that's the best way to sell a Randy fight. I heard him on Sherdog radio on Wednesday saying he wants to fight Anderson Silva.
Another interesting theory is they're holding Anderson out to fight on a rumored "unannounced" card that they supposedly intend to put up against Fedor Emelianenko's Strikeforce debut. Is it possible that BJ Penn moving to December 12th had nothing to do with the death of a network deal, and that Anderson will main event the extra rumored show? If Anderson really is healthy it really makes you wonder what is going on.
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You’re right, Randy never has exciting fights.
…
Maybe it would be a blowout, maybe Randy would get him down and be able to put a scare in him. Even so, the drama Randy brings to the cage when he fights is routinely more exciting than anything else in fighting.
Personally I don’t want this, I don’t think Randy’s chin can handle it. But he proved that at the very least he is still competent at heavyweight, and if this is what he wants, I don’t think Dana will deny him.
by Michael Rome on Sep 9, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t put words in my mouth. I never said Randy never has exciting fights.
I think it might have been an article you wrote about his fight with Nog. He had no head movement and just stood there. Could you imagine Silva in front of him?
I imagine he’d be much more interested in going for a takedown and not boxing against Silva. Not every fighter is the same, and not every strategy is the same. I think he’d lose, but the atmosphere would be completely electric, and if he actually got Silva down the place would come unglued. It could be extremely exciting.
by Michael Rome on Sep 9, 2009 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Randy just fought and got a little banged up. Let him rest a little and sit back and watch the Coleman/Ortiz fight. If Ortiz wins, give him Randy. That will do huge numbers.
Yes, Randy did just fight, but he also said he wants to fight again fairly soon and we are talking about a card that is still four months away.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
Idk, this would brutal beatdown. Maybe if Randy was 38, it wouldn’t be so bad. But it just an uneasy idea of a sniper like Anderson pounding on a 46 year old or 47 year old when this match happen
by The Bronzeville Bully on Sep 9, 2009 12:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
His peak was probably when he was 43-44. He’s definitely better now than he was at 38.
This would be one of those classic situations where it does huge business among casuals while hardcores claim nobody cares about the fight.
by Michael Rome on Sep 9, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Randy’s chin can’t handle it at all, and the speed at which Silva moves and weaves will crush Randy inside one round. I don’t like seeing Couture go out like this… but whatever. I don’t see any other solution to him. He wants to fight the best, okay.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Here is the real world analysis of it, if it happens:
1. Casual fans will buy it in droves
2. Anderson and Randy will both want to do it
3. They need main events
I’d rather see him go out against Anderson than go out against someone on the senior circuit. He’s always prided himself on fighting the best, and at least he can help give the rub to Anderson on his way out. And if he somehow pulled it off, which I am almost completely sure he wouldn’t, it would be one hell of a cap to his career.
In the end all 3 parties would make a lot of money, all the important people involved want it, which makes it probably an inevitable fight.
And I should note, if he gets KO’ed like Forrest or anyone else in quick fashion, it would probably be less damaging to his health than fights like this last one with sustained damage over time. It’s kind of the nature of fighting that the flash KOs don’t do as much long run damage as grueling, long fights.
I agree with this assessment. At first I was pretty set against this fight, because I believed that Couture would be destroyed (and I still believe this).
But, like you said, if Randy wants it, then he should get it if all parties agree. He has at least earned the right to choose how he meets his maker. Lord knows it is hard enough to get Silva to agree to a fight, so if he agrees, and Dana is for it, then go for it.
As you stated, Randy getting shellacked by Anderson Silva is by no means a knock. Afterwards, we’ll all say “Who doesn’t?”, and then try to figure out both fighters’ next opponents.
I understand the real world analysis. I’m just saying… Randy gets clobbered all over the cage in this fight. Both guys can draw casual fans, and yes… both men want to do it. But Anderson clobbers Randy, and this is where there is a disparity between fans when it comes to successful events and awesome fights. I don’t see a one-sided trouncing of a MMA legend as “awesome”.
Going out against the best is still a good idea though, so I’m not against the match-up.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Sep 9, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Randy would get mauled and the UFC would make bank off all the buys
But if you are stupid, you will be beaten with a stick - Proverbs 10:13
Don’t forget, Randy would make bank too, his deal is tied to PPV buys.
by Michael Rome on Sep 9, 2009 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Silva says he wants big fights, Couture says he wants big fights and as far as drawing power goes, this is a big fight.
Not neccessarily ..
Silva’s draw has never been that good.. Couture has never drew over 550K buys himself..(outside of the last PPV at 102 because number estimates aren’t back yet)
8-29-09
Keith Jardine is now known as "The Dean of Antihistamine" because he is always sleeping early in fights..
I’d think that after the Silva destruction of Griffin, his marketablity may have gone up some. Not huge numbers, but some anyway. Couture isn’t a gigantic draw, but they could market it as a classic Mr America underdog fight and probably do pretty good.
I honestly dont think it'll be that competitive..
Randy is a great person.. A true ambassador for the sport.. A good fighter with a lot of heart..
But this is a BAD fight for him to take.. Randy’s wrestling wont be a factor in the fight. If Hendo & Marquardt couldn’t do anything to him on the ground, I dont think Randy will be able to either.. Randy’s best weapon is his clinch game, that’s not a game he should want to be playing with the Spider.. Silva is faster than Liddell ever was.. Silva is a more accurate striker than Liddell as ever been.. It will go down the same way for Couture.. He’ll get caught coming in on the chin and be put out .. Silva is a counter fighter and Randy comes right at you.. It’s like giving Silva the easiest fight he can have..
Randy isn’t going to be upsetting anymore elite fighters, not at this age. His biggest downfall was sitting out those 18 months. At his age, he couldn’t afford that kind of time off. He’s grown drastically slower in each successive fight. While his fight with Nog was entertaining, it was all one sided. Nog is SLOW.. Silva has more power in his hands than Nog and you can double time the speed over Nog too..
8-29-09
Keith Jardine is now known as "The Dean of Antihistamine" because he is always sleeping early in fights..
by MMAuthority on Sep 9, 2009 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
They’re not doing a fight for Evans while waiting for Rampage. I’ve seen a trillion threads on this around the internet, but they are going to just wait and do that match, like Mir/Lesnar. They’re not going to do a replacement unless Rampage can’t fight for a very long time.
by Michael Rome on Sep 9, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Like I said in the other post, I think Silva may have been trying to force and Hendo/Nate fight. But today we get Hendo/Lil Nog rumours and all of a sudden Silva may be available for November??? Sounds fishy to me.
Shootin down a rumor. Dan Henderson won’t fight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his next fight. In fact, his next fight might not be in the UFC
But as of right now he doesn’t have a contract with Zuffa. Negotiations were characterized as “slow.” Dan’s main focus is fighting A. Silva.
According to a source close to Hendo, Dan is a free agent. The source said Dan wants to remain in the UFC. It makes the most sense.
Via Josh Gross
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
Interesting, another twist. Nobody else can pay him, but he is a stubborn guy and probably wants Anderson to get a new deal.
and the NEW! Strikeforce Middleweight Champion of the WORLDDDDDDDDDDDD!
…just kidding. He won’t leave the UFC.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 9, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I understand the guy not really wanting to fight teammates, but damn he seems to not want to fight anyone these days, unless it is outside of middleweight and a fight he deems “worthy”. The guy needs to fight for crying out loud. He is a champ and is getting to the point of refusing to defend the belt. If he keeps this up then he really needs to make a weightclass move and drop the belt, so the guys in his division can go after it.
you’re exaggerating pretty strongly here
by yngjzy on Sep 9, 2009 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I know
It was a bit dramatic, but it was my initial response to the fact that Dan wants to fight him, he has earned the shot, but Anderson isn’t interested in it. As the champ your responsibility is to defend the belt against worthy competitors. Dana stated publicly Henderson is next in line, therefore he should get his chance to fight for the title. I just believe that’s what is right.
Hendo didn’t earn the title shot, White promised him the title shot.
He poked and head butted a decision against Franklin, and KO’ed Bisping who is irrelevant in MW division. That’s not that much…
by dancingChicken on Sep 9, 2009 5:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve said it a few times, but it is all subjective. There are no definitive rankings or standings for anyone to go by. So if White says “Dan Henderson is the next in line for the title shot”, then that means Hendo is the number one contender.
Everyone can argue who deserves title shots, the validity of wins, etcetera, until they turn blue in the face. Wins are wins. And the validity of title shots is determined solely off of who Dana believes is deserving. Dana said Hendo. So he should get the shot.
Yeah, but Dana White is not so sure about Hendo’s title shot anymore. That’s the reason Henderson is upset.
It’s White fault that Henderson wont fight Spider…
by dancingChicken on Sep 9, 2009 5:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but once Dana said Hendo earned the title shot, that automatically implies that Hendo has earned it. That is the way the UFC works currently. Like it or not, Henderson deserves the next title shot. It shouldn’t be yanked out from under him.
I don’t want to get into semantics but I agree that if White promised Hendo the title shot, he should keep his his word.
But then again, it’s not Anderson’s problem…
by dancingChicken on Sep 9, 2009 6:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I have a hard time understanding how it isn’t Anderson’s problem. He really shouldn’t have a choice in the matter. He is the champ. Hendo is should be next in line for the title. He isn’t Anderson’s teammate, so I don’t understand what the holdup is. If he doesn’t want to defend the belt from the challenger the UFC sets forth, then he should drop the belt.
DANA DOES"T WANT THIS FIGHT TO HAPPEN
Agreement between Hendo and Dana isn’t Anderson’s problem. If Dana wanted Spider to fight Henderson it would happen.
Spider isn’t interested in fighting Hendo, because he destroyed him 3 fights ago, and Dan didn’t show anything that could make rematch interesting or challenging for Silva.
by dancingChicken on Sep 9, 2009 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions
We are running circles around each other, but I think in a roundabout way we agree, sort of.
I just don’t think Anderson’s interest in a fight should matter one bit. He can’t hang onto a belt and not defend it because he deems opponents unworthy. Hell, no one is really worthy to fight him, realistically.
I too like Evans vs. AS
Rampage seems uninterested in fighting anymore. I’m a HUGE page fan, but not fighting Lyoto, and now pushing back his TUF coachs fight for who knows how long? It’s getting annoying.
That said, I think Rashad has the tools to give Anderson trouble. He also could have given Lyoto much more trouble, but he woke up that morning thinking he was an A-level striker, and not a wrestler. If he wrestles Anderson, he would have a chance. If he sits on the outside like he did with “La Cheetah”, he’ll end up sleeping on the mat, talking smack in his dreams.
by Miketsi on Sep 9, 2009 1:10 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I just don’t think Rashad is that good a wrestler…
His early LnP wins were against people with NO wrestling, aka Bisping, Hogar & Bonnar.
'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko
by Well Read Idiot on Sep 9, 2009 4:32 AM EDT up reply actions
...A. Silva vs Big Nog?
If Nog’s chin is still up to it, I say Nog takes this fight. It would also let us see a little more of Silva’s ground game.
uhh?
they’re really close, and they train together.. If he won’t fight Lyoto, he surely won’t fight any of the Noguieras.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 9, 2009 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Right
My bad, it’s late and I’m tired.
It seemed like such a great match, I wondered why I never thought of it before.
rumors spreading like herpes on the mma sites lately....
anyone else notice al the bs that has flown in the past few months?
It is a bit of a strange story. Maybe, they finally removed the piece of Anderson’s elbow from Tony Fryklund’s head and they were contemplating reattaching it, but decided against it due to how well he’s performed without it.
This shirt is "dry clean only", which means it's dirty.
by Sam Cupitt on Sep 9, 2009 1:40 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Effin A
I just wanna see Anderson fight amazing matches before he maybe retires from the game. Fighting Randy is a waste of a match considering how many times he got dropped in his last fight. Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt, Rampage Jackson, or Rashad Evans. Only people I really wanna see fight the guy.
"I will knock your hair black!"- Ken Shamrock to Tito Ortiz
I'd rather see him fight Randy, than Hendo..
but that’s just me.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 9, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I just feel like letting him hang onto his belt without having to defend against Hendo is wrong. If he is planning on retiring so soon, and doesn’t want to defend the title, then just drop it. Let the guys who have fought their way up try to earn the belt.
exactly
if he’s gonna retire, i’d want to see him fight the biggest fights out there.. and that would mean defending the belt against the next best MW, which would be decided if Nate fought Hendo first…
If he’s gonna have a few fights left, (which i sorta doubt, but anyway) if it’s true, i’d like him to be in big time fights, like a fight against Randy, MW against winner of Hendo/Nate, another superfight, and if Belfort wins against franklin, i’d want to see that too.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 9, 2009 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with your sentiment of seeing him in the biggest fights out there if he plans on retiring. I’d much rather see Silva vs. a myriad of LHW and HW fighters than any MW (except Belfort. I am intrigued by that matchup). If that is the route he takes, I am fine with it. Just drop the belt and give the fighters at MW a chance to earn it. Really, what’s the point of holding the belt until he retires if he doesn’t defend it again? I hate seeing guys like Hendo and Marquardt in limbo because the champ isn’t interested in fighting them.
I also want to add as a caveat, seeing as I’ve been fairly negative about Silva in this post, that I am a big Silva fan. He is in my mind the best fighter in the world now, and quite possibly the best we have ever seen. (Please don’t attack me Fedor fans, just an opinion. I see him as a close second.)
Yeah, Randy > Hendo at this point...
Silva would be moving up in weight, Randy is the ultimate underdog and strategist, and it’s a matchup we haven’t seen yet.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
Please for the sake of Randy’s health, don’t let this happen.
Keep firing Assholes!
ZE GOGGLES! ZAY DO NOZING!!!!
Gotta love PPV % based contracts.
Anderson: “I’m willing to beat up Randy in a fairly irrelevant contest at a weight neither of us really has any ambition to be the best at, it will do great PPV money.”
Randy: “I’m willing to get beat up by Anderson in a fairly irrelevant contest at a weight neither of us really has any ambition to be the best at, it will do great PPV money.”
by DirtyML on Sep 9, 2009 2:19 AM EDT reply actions 6 recs
Yep, I’m sure neither guy would be motivated for this fight. Anderson has no interest in fighting legends, and Randy certainly has nothing to gain by beating Silva.
C’mon now.
Am I the only one who agrees with Silva?
Hendo has not done enough to demand a title shot, and he has certainly done less than Marquardt. Two of his three wins are decisions, one of which is controversial and one of which is over a mid-level opponent.
If I was Silva, I wouldn’t be interested in that fight either.
I really don’t believe it matters if Silva believes Hendo is deserving or not. Dana publicly affirmed that Hendo is next in line, and if he is going to say that, then it should be done. Anderson doesn’t fight teammates, and I can understand that. To resist fighting the number one contender (according to Dana) is wrong, I believe.
The larger problem with the whole Hendo-Marquardt issue here is the lack of a definitive official rankings/standings system. It is too subjective, and what we have are fighters believing they are deserving. In Hendo’s case, the UFC president stated he was the number one contender (rightly or wrongly). Henderson obviously believes that he should be fighting next for the title, and another contender fight would not benefit him, since, according to the president, he is already number one.
What would happen if Hendo beats Marquardt in a contender bout, and Belfort destroys Franklin. People would want Belfort to have a shot. Where does it end? Would Henderson and Belfort need to square off to determe the “true” number one contender?
Bottom line is this: Henderson is the number one contender according to Dana White. He deserves the next title shot. If Silva does not want that fight, fine. He needs to vacate the belt and seek out superfights in other weightclasses if that is what he desires.
I understand and agree...
But to me this is a different situation. Anderson Silva is at the end of his career, and I’m glad he’s really pushing for the biggest possible fights instead of wasting his last couple fights on rematches the other guy hasn’t even earned.
Yeah the MW division is suffering a little, but that also has a lot to do with Dan ducking Marquardt.
According to Dana
So I texted him on the number he posted on Twitter and asked him about Anderson, this is what he wrote back:
“Not true anderson is having surgery”
Assuming that it’s actually him writing back it looks like Ed Soares is full of crap, again. Take this for what it’s worth but I promise i’m not making this up.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Sep 9, 2009 10:57 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
This could just be a case of Dana trying to shelf Anderson so he’s not “wasting” his remaining fights.
Just a thought.
by Screwface on Sep 9, 2009 3:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

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