What We Learned From UFC 97

Silva looked to have trouble pulling the trigger. Weird. I guess it takes somebody that’s a threat to him to make him engage. It was sad to see Liddell go out that way. Cane looked excellent again. Cantwell hung in all the way though, he showed he’s a really tough guy.

Props to Cantwell for taking such punishment and continuing to fire back. Cane looked very good. Also, what would you do with Silva? I’m thinking one of three options:

1. Move him up to the light heavyweight class for good (freeing up the division for some other guys i.e. Maia, Bisping, Henderson, etc…)
2. Have him fight Vanderlei Silva in his next fight (assuming he gets past Franklin in Germany)
3. Put him in a catchweight superfight with St. Pierre

Fist of all other than the main event it was a great show. That Arena was rocking. Great stuff. Props to Shogun he looked great out there and damn it just made my whole night yesterday regardless of the pathetic main event. You’re right, Chuck should call it quits.

Now, if GSP loses at UFC 100 Anderson Silva needs to take his ass to LHW since I dont believe there are any good fights for him at MW anymore. Well what about Maia you ask? PFFT, you think Dana is gonna pull the trigger on that fight? It might be even more boring than this one was. Plain and simple it was a ridiculous fight. I have no words for it. Leites gave him too much respect. Anderson is NOT the #1 p4p. He should go train with Miguel Torres if he wants that label.

Silva didn’t take enough chances, I felt, and will reap the natural consequences of that in that he might not get as many pay-per-view buys in the future (thus effecting his bottom line). However, he still showed that he’s clearly the man in the weight class and a level above everyone. Kind of reminds me of Roy Jones in his heyday. A lot of folks would get frustrated watching him tool fighters but not always finish them. All the same, though, we were watching greatness whether we were entertained or not. I understand the fan’s perspective, though, believe me I do.

The main event was very lackluster. When GSP beats Alves, because he will beat Alves, they need to set that fight up or have Silva move up to LHW. Other than Maia, I really have no interest in seeing Silva fight anyone else in th MW division, including Bisping.

Other than that, I’m glad to see that Shogun is back to where he used to be. I’d like to maybe see him against next against Cane, or a rematch with Rampage but dont think that will happen for a while because I don’t think Rampage, or Zuffa, wants to take a chance of him losing a title shot against the winner of Machida/Evans. I just dont want to see them put Shogun against any junk fighters.

Also, Im glad they showed the Stout/Wiman fight. that was a pretty good little scrap. I wish Stout would get a ground game. If he did, he might be a top contender in the division.

Good questions some of you had…I’ll be addressing some of them on today and tomorrow with individual posts and whatnot…good looks