Rudy210

Man I hope this isn't true but if so, good for Silva. He really doesn't have anything more to prove. Few fighters get to retire on the top.

hebaj

Anderson's probably just after a pay rise on his next contract.

Rudy210

I doubt that he would need to threaten to retire to get a pay increase. The UFC realizes his value and won't skimp on his pay.

brownpimp88

This is really unfortunate. But if you think about it, what else is really left for him? I mean killing Rich Franklin twice doesn't get as much attention as it deserves, simply because it has been done. Before Anderson ran through him, Rich was without a doubt the number one middleweight and one of the premier fighters in the world. The fact that Rich could probably beat anyone at 185 except Andy proves that. There is not a guy at 185 that can touch Anderson. He's already beaten Hendo and Marquardt. I mean, as a fan of Anderson, I'd love for him to fight for 5 years, destroying anyone that may rise up to the challenge, but perhaps Anderson has other stuff on his mind.

After he beats Cote, he'll fight Okami again. He'll beat Okami, then fight the winner of Bisping/Hendo. Either he'll cash in with the Bisping fight or have a chance to remove any lingering doubts with a Hendo rematch. To push it further, let's say he fights the loser afterwards, clearing any doubts. I mean, there is obviously the chance that he could lose in these fights, but it is highly unlikely.

A fight against GSP? Sure, it would spark interest, but in all honesty, I think GSP would be outclassed here. GSP would try to take Anderson down, and will probably be successful, but Anderson will find a way to finish the fight. A fight against Chuck? Sure, it's a money fight, but I think it's pretty obvious who wins here. A run at 205? I think he has too much respect for Machida and Lil Nog to interupt that division. After all, I think Anderson feels he is hurting teammates like Paulo Filho by sticking around too long. Maybe he feels like a burden.

I think Anderson needs to sufer defeat to get re-energized. Although it is highly unlikely, given his personality and history, I think if Anderson gets too cocky and comes into a fight un-prepared and losses, he'll find a spark again.

I respect that Anderson is not whining or bashing fighters, he is politely saying how he feels. As a fan, it would be a sad thing, but we got to try and understand what he is saying.

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jasvll

Silva still hasn't proven to be a draw. That might change after the Cote fight, but from a marketing standpoint, Silva's domination is a bit of a liability.

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GMW

Yeah, his pay per views regularly do in the 300,000 buys don't they? As opposed to their 4-500 average.

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Credit to ThaMuffinMan

brownpimp88

I don't know about that. Dominance is an often marketed trait by MMA promotions. It sparks the whole "Can X be the man to beat Anderson?" and works well with him jumping weight classes. I dunno, I don't think Anderson is a liability from a marketing standpoint, but rather a liability in the fact that he can't be beaten.

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bbjd7

Yea Anderson defiantly isn't a big draw his main event numbers are very low actually his highest number was with Tito on the card.

The Dude Abides

Would absolutely suck balls. I'd take it with a pinch of salt though.

If he wants to test himself, there are plenty of fights to do that at 205 without getting in Machida's way, if Machida even gets himself the belt that is. But even then, there's so so many fights. Rampage, Wandy, Forrest, Chuck, Jardine, Rashad. I think it would be a damn shame if we never got to see exactly what he might of done at 205. Because when all is said and done, when people look back years from now, they'll see that, great as he was, he only really beat two elite fighters in his division.

illmatic

Very silly to retire so that his teammates can get more of the spotlight. It's an honorable effort, but what if Machida suddenly hits a rut and goes on a 3 fight lose streak after Anderson retires? We miss a ton of good fights. That's what.

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