I never really understood why Soares or Silva’s statements were interpreted as mind games or attempts to ducking Belfort, Marquardt or Henderson. Sure the release of the healthy/unhealthy elbow may have been handled awkwardly but for the most part it was just an injury he had to take care of.

Here’s a recent statement from Ed Soares I grabbed from MMAJunkie.

It doesn’t matter. Wherever they can place him to fight, he’ll fight. He wants to get in there and fight again. It is who they say it is, it’s not a matter of signing off. I’ve never said it wasn’t going to be a great fight. All I ever said was I didn’t think he deserved to fight for a title. Some people agree with me; some people don’t. It doesn’t really make a difference. Anderson always has and always will fight whoever he puts in front of him.

Sometimes people take my opinion or someone else’s opinion that we won’t fight him. I’m not saying we won’t fight him. I’m jusy saying we don’t think he doesn’t deserve it. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s going to be a phenomenal fight. Vitor’s a dangerous guy, but Anderson is very dangerous too. I think Anderson has more tools, but I think Vitor poses a lot of threats. He’s a super-tough guy. – Ed Soares

I’m glad Anderson finally said it. The MW division needs Silva/Marquardt II (assuming Marquardt gets past Sonnen). If Silva can beat Marquardt and Belfort, he’s pretty much done with MW.