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Anderson Silva To Give Up UFC Middleweight Title For Permanent Move To Light Heavyweight?

UFC Middleweight Champ Anderson Silva

That seems like a real possibility according to what happened at the UFC post-fight press conference between Dana White, Ed Soares(Silva's Manager), and Anderson Silva according to Yahoo sports:

That Silva could move up a weight class and not just win, but destroy with power, was a game-changing and perhaps UFC-altering moment. That’s what Silva and his manager, Ed Soares, wanted to discuss with White.

With his arm wrapped around White’s shoulder, Soares leaned in and delivered a proposition. "Spider" Silva would move permanently to light heavyweight, even if it meant the unorthodox move of giving up his middleweight belt.

"I can do that," White smiled, a bit stunned at the offer. "I like that. We can do that."

Soares smiled and shook White’s hand.

"I can do that," White smiled, a bit stunned at the offer. "I like that. We can do that."

"I’d let him," White said later, sitting in his quiet dressing room. "We’d put [the middleweight title] up for grabs."

Silva’s next title defense was supposed to be against Dan Henderson, who Silva savagely choked out in March 2008.

"Who knows," White said, wheels already spinning. "We’ll see what happens. In the talks I’ve had with Anderson, he wants to take on the best in the world. He’s the most talented fighter in the world, the best pound for pound fighter and it’s a joke to say anyone else is. And he wants to continue to prove [it]."

White thought for a moment.

"He would jump in that mix [at the top of the light heavyweight division]," White said. "You’ve got Rashad [Evans], you’ve got Rampage [Jackson], [Lyoto] Machida is the champion. And Tito [Ortiz] is in the mix now."


However, before we get all giddy about a potential Lyoto Machida/Anderson Silva fight, Silva was quick to point out that he wouldn't fight Machida as he has said on many occasions.  However, Dana White said he would make that fight happen:

"I’ll make it happen," White said winking his eye. "It’s not even about money. It’s about proving you’re the best, it’s about securing your place in history. It’s about putting on a super fight that fans want to see.

"I’m all about making big fights that fans want to see."

I've been real vocal about Anderson Silva moving up to LHW ever since the Cote fight and last night's thrashing of the former UFC light heavyweight champion only strengthened that stance.  Silva has three fights left on his current contract, and he shouldn't be wasting those fights on fighters he has already beaten or guys that have absolutely no shot at winning. 

HT: sports.Yahoo.com

UFC 101: Declaration coverage

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Forrest brought this up on the review show last night, and it doesn’t really seem like a bad idea. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Hendo rematch, mostly because he was the closest to taking Silva, but the fact of the matter is that Silva has been teabagging the competittion and has no reason to stick around. A move to light heavyweight would provide new opportunities for opponents: Rampage, Evans, and though it probably won’t happen Machida. I’m actually rather curious how that fight would go, being that Machida doesn’t seem to ever get hit.

What a move to LHW might also mean is a matcup with Wanderlei Silva on the way up. Wanderlei should be debuting at middleweight sooner or later, and though it doesn’t benefit Anderson at all, it could be another opportunity for Wanderlei to make that drop.

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by -Neil- on Aug 9, 2009 6:59 PM EDT reply actions  

True. I’ll be honest with you. Anderson would wreck most heavyweights. That’s not just me talking either. Lots of MMA heavyweights will tell you the same. He needs to, at least, be fighting no lower than 205 if we hope to see him really challenged at all.

by Rich Wyatt on Aug 9, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree

I would pay happily pay money to see Silva vs any of the top 3 in LHW. What I won’t pay to see is UFC 102.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
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by Wmillion on Aug 9, 2009 10:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

lol

http://www.mmaforreal.com
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by Kelvin Hunt on Aug 9, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, Kelvin. Something tells me that you can expect a few more folks showing up for the live blog for UFC 101. It’s actually a card with some good fights but shellin out for 2 PPV’s in a month in this economy is a little tough.

by Rich Wyatt on Aug 9, 2009 11:04 PM EDT reply actions  

Cool

Tell all those lurkers we need them to offer their insight on stuff mayne!

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Follow Me On Twitter@KelvinHunt

by Kelvin Hunt on Aug 9, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yup, I need this – for the first time I’ll sanction a fighter just dropping the belt… it’ll make two divisions more interesting

Bloody hell.

by 3PA on Aug 9, 2009 11:35 PM EDT reply actions  

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