[Damone]

People are picking Franca to lose a decision :O

I don't know what's so shocking about picking Edgar to win a decision. Edgar can definitely take Franca down and avoid subs for 15 minutes.

[RushFan]

Silva will have a 2 inch reach advantage (77.5 to 75.5) and should be able to land at will. Silva has one of the best jabs in the UFC and I predict Irvin will become intimately acquainted with it on July 19th. People keep raving about Irvin's stand up but I'm not yet convinced. All of Irvin's recent fights have shown very limited glimpses of his stand up ability. IMO Irvin's stand up is similar to Sherk's in that he has good power and technique but poor range. He throws nice hooks and uppercuts but Silva will nuetralize this arsenal by keeping him at a distance. This should translate into an easy win for Silva.
Franca vs Edgar should be very explosive. I'm tipping Franca to return with a dominant display. He is tough as nails and dangerous everywhere. I can see Franca defending take downs early and then turn up the heat for a later rounds KO or submission win.

[cabby]

2inch reach advantage isn't that big a difference. Silva supposedly lands something like 60-70% of his stand-up I read and more so when he's got somebody mounted. Irvin being the bigger guy will proabably rely on his size if the striking isn't going his way, which it probably won't. I expect to see him try and muscle Anderson around a bit, but lets hope he doesn't get caught in Anderson's clinch

[Liddellianenko]

Originally Posted by Servatose

I can see why people would think this may go to decision, but I completely disagree for a couple of reasons. First, what I think the assumption of some is, is that because of the styles it will be a more cautious fight. Irving knows what he's up against, so he'll pick his battles. The reason that's not going to happen is because of Silva's aggression. He's constantly circling his opponent, throwing jabs and staying out of reach, which doubles as a take-down defense because of how far out he keeps his hips while he jabs. I'm almost positive the fight will go one of these two ways: Silva will circle around Irving and catch him with a couple of good jabs. If Irving tries to shoot (which I think he might) Anderson will just do what he has been doing, he'll move backwards and drop down punches. Irving will get dazed pretty early in the fight and then Silva will finish it by catching him with some heavy blows once he gets dazed. The only flaw in my analysis is if Irving's wrestling is a lot better than I'm expecting. And if Hendo's wasn't good enough, I don't believe Irvings will be. Anyways, that's my prediction. I agree with the rest of the card looking bad as well.

This ain't middle weights anymore.. Irvin is the tallest opponent Anderson has faced, he won't be able to keep his hips as far as he's used to and still pick at Irvin. In order to strike with Irvin, he's gonna have to get in his pocket, and the Sandman's proven to be a master of upset KOs. Still.. Silva is Silva.. this is going to be a longshot for Irvin.

[yorT]

double

[yorT]

Originally Posted by Terry77

People are picking Franca to lose a decision :O

Not much more to say about Silva/Irvin, but I'm checked Anderson's record and he actually hasn't fought anyone that hits as hard or as big as James Irvin. The Sandman actually knows how to throw, better than Rich Franklin, Lee Murray and Dan Henderson. If Silva gets knocked out and Fedor beats Sylvia Dana White's head might explode

Brandon Vera did look small against Werdum, but he had some nice clinch work and rocked Fabricio. There's more talent at 205 for him to contend than in the UFC heavyweight division.

How do you know he hits harder than all those guys?

[yorT]

Originally Posted by Liddellianenko

This ain't middle weights anymore.. Irvin is the tallest opponent Anderson has faced, he won't be able to keep his hips as far as he's used to and still pick at Irvin. In order to strike with Irvin, he's gonna have to get in his pocket, and the Sandman's proven to be a master of upset KOs. Still.. Silva is Silva.. this is going to be a longshot for Irvin.

Well not actually, Alex Stiebling just as tall as James Irvin at 6'2 and both in the same weight division.

[Terry77]

Originally Posted by yorT

How do you know he hits harder than all those guys?

Irvin has rocked and knocked out guys at 205 and above, the same can't be said for those guys. I know your a die hard for Silva yorT, but come on this is interesting at least.

Originally Posted by Damone

I don't know what's so shocking about picking Edgar to win a decision. Edgar can definitely take Franca down and avoid subs for 15 minutes.

Making light of Franca's problems once the fight goes the distance with judges. Man, if Hermes is throwing those knees like in the Sherk fight..Edgar could be in for a long night.

[Damone]

No doubt, Franca's knee's are something disgusting.

[Ape City]

Originally Posted by cabby

2inch reach advantage isn't that big a difference. Silva supposedly lands something like 60-70% of his stand-up I read and more so when he's got somebody mounted. Irvin being the bigger guy will proabably rely on his size if the striking isn't going his way, which it probably won't. I expect to see him try and muscle Anderson around a bit, but lets hope he doesn't get caught in Anderson's clinch

I also expect it to go this way (irvin getting outstruck and relying on muscle). The thing is, I doubt Irvin can muscle Silva around.

I think Irvin is outclassed in every aspect.