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MarkHuntsNoggin · 08-20-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Anderson Silva wants big-money event fights. And he's willing to work at heavyweight to make sure they happen.

Prior to Silva's flooring Forrest Griffin earlier this month in Philadelphia, SI.com confirmed that Silva's representatives had spoken with Zuffa about the heralded UFC middleweight champion moving up to heavyweight for the first time in his career.

Not only that, they already had an opponent in mind: Frank Mir.

Disinterested by middleweight contenders Nathan Marquardt, Demian Maia and Dan Henderson, and unwilling to fight close friend Lyoto Machida at light heavyweight -- where Silva could conceivably knock off challengers and make a disaster out of the UFC's marquee division -- "The Spider" needs new, challenging scenarios to stay motivated. A move to heavyweight would certainly achieve that, and according to Silva's manager Ed Soares, the UFC was receptive to the idea.

Based on longevity and dominance, the label of MMA's best fighter has arguably belonged to Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko for the past few years. However, the gap between Emelianenko and Silva has closed to a photo finish. And if the UFC can be convinced that a move to heavyweight is the right plan as 185 sorts itself out, Silva could set himself up to supplant Emelianenko as the sport's best.

It would indeed be impressive for a former world champion at 167 pounds to climb all the way to heavyweight, where blockbusters against Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, or, dare we say it, Brock Lesnar, a fight Silva would accept if the money is right, could materialize.

Beyond legacy issues, which media and fans tend to focus on more than fighters, the move up could drastically improve Silva's paydays, which would increase with the size of his opponents and corresponding pay-per-view numbers.

For all those reasons, I like the move.

Sure, the organization's middleweight division features several threats. But outside of Maia, we've already seen Silva brush most challengers aside. Silva's team argues that Henderson, Marquardt and Maia aren't deserving. They want the Marquardt-Maia winner to fight Henderson to establish a true contender in the division. I don't think it's a terrible idea. There shouldn't be any disagreement that Marquardt or Maia against Henderson would be a perfect bout to use the Nevada option of five-round non-title fights (more on that to come).

Otherwise, the one challenger rarely mentioned these days is Yushin Okami, whom Silva should fight before he leaves the division for good. Outside of that, you're talking about Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva, both great names and potential draws who are just emerging at 185.

The best bouts might come at light heavyweight -- Silva vs. Rampage; Rashad; Shogun; and down the road, Jon Jones or Gegard Mousasi -- but with Silva and Machida refusing to fight, an extended stay at 205 doesn't make sense. By the sound of things, the talented Brazilians won't compete no matter how much pressure comes down from Dana White and the UFC.

"I'm gonna say there's no way they fight," said Soares, who also manages Machida.

What does that leave? Heavyweight.

Who wouldn't want to see whether Silva at his walk-around 215 to 220 pounds is good enough to defeat opponents regardless of weight? Pound for pound personified, I say. A win or two in the division would embolden fans and media with enough hope that Silva could be the one to stop Lesnar.

The pound-for-pound king an underdog? Imagine that.

(Special thanks to e-mailer Jared for the tip.)
Nevada leads the way

As a close observer of state regulators since I began covering MMA more than nine years ago, I've always been impressed by the speed with which Nevada could enact rules changes. Perhaps that had more to do the approach of my home state of California, which works a bit like a tortoise negotiating a minefield, but still, Nevada deserves credit for following through on several changes to its regulations on Wednesday.

I've long been an advocate for five-round non-title main events, especially when championship caliber fighters were in the mix. Actually, I've proposed pushing title fights to seven rounds, but that debate has lost steam over the years. Twenty five minutes should be enough time to resolve a fight. Fifteen minutes? Not really. We're talking clashes between Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva, Quinton Jackson and Keith Jardine. Even something like Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann would qualify in my book.

Now, promoters in Nevada can push a non-title headliner to five rounds, providing world class fighters a real opportunity to finish bouts instead of the inevitable race to a decision. Let's hope other regulators follow suit.

I'm less excited about the prospect of instant replay to check on the validity of an outcome. Depending on how it's used, of course, it can be a great tool. But not all events will be broadcast. What about those? Either way, it'll be a neat experiment.

And finally, the commission took steps towards addressing the GSP-Penn "Greasegate" controversy that followed the pair's January fight. Language now exists that makes the use of foreign substances on the body that "could result in an unfair advantage" illegal. Hard to believe it wasn't before.

Georges St. Pierre, of course, was never reprimanded for doing anything wrong during a fight he dominated. But the specter of shadiness was reason enough to clarify the rule.

Kudos to Keith Kizer and the NSAC.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...#ixzz0OlaI39SQ

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?eref=T1

AceCombat · 08-20-2009, 07:03 PM

Very interesting, I think Siva could beat Mir, Brock just might be too big and could win rounds while on top of Silva by virtue of his size and skill combo.

I do think Silva could rack up a couple of wins at heavy weight though, no problem.

evilstevie · 08-20-2009, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the post. I'd love to see a Silva vs Mir fight, and I think that Silva's plenty big enough to roll with Mir. Before I'd even want to see Silva fight Lesnar, I'd like to see somebody (ANDYBODY?!?!) avoid being dragged to ground by that big lumox. Purely on their feet, Silva would kill Lesnar.

Fedornumber1! · 08-20-2009, 08:15 PM

please let him fight mir omfg PLEASE

**dudeabides** · 08-20-2009, 08:20 PM

Hope Big Nog becomes the heavyweight champ, and Andy has to go down to welterweight where he's not friends with the champ.

Lookin' like the only way to get that Silva/GSP showdown if all this is true.

elessarcif · 08-20-2009, 08:41 PM

I am sorry but he should have to beat Machida before he can move up to HW. Screw all that sacred cow crap. I dont want UFC to just become a circus where we get these freak show fights.

coldcall420 · 08-20-2009, 09:47 PM

Simply put.....Mir is too slow fr Anderson its a great match-up for Anderson......

GiznadCam · 08-20-2009, 09:57 PM

This would be INSANE.

Silva wants to fight at heavyweight now?
Amazing.

enceledus · 08-20-2009, 10:49 PM

love it love it love it!

The Don · 08-20-2009, 11:11 PM

could be very interesting.. Silva's striking will hold him in any division.. if the HW's get him to the ground especially guys like Mir or Brock they could put a hurt on him.. all in all though I think it could be exciting to watch.

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