Battle of the Silvas, Anderson vs Wand: Why it makes sense and why Dana White has no other option.

Stuff doesn't always work out the way you want it to.

Girls, work, health, money...MMA Pay per view events from the top fighting promotion featuring the Best pound for pound fighter alive.

Deal with it.

In reality, aside from the "shadow sparring" main event, most of UFC 97 was above average (more on that Tuesday). It was Above Average with a few glimmers of awesome. Typically that would be enough to keep everyone happy. The only problem is that we were all expecting a Superhero in Black and Yellow shorts. Twice now we have been left waiting. Instead of a superhero, we see a regular old Human Being.

Why?

Is he too good? No one wants to engage standing up so nothing happens. Based on that thought alone, you could make the argument that "The Spider" is just as much to blame as his terrified opponents. Right? I mean when Thales refused to attack...Silva should have gone on the offensive...right? No sir, that is wrong.

Is he too smart?. He does not need to win in spectacular fashion, he only has to win. Thales knew he was losing in the 3rd and 4th...why not go for broke? What is the worst that can happen? The best thing would have been a lucky shot or maybe another take down. So what if he gets clipped? He was losing anyway and he knew it. He was hoping that Andersons ego was going to get the better of him and it did not. Here is the problem...Smart Champ = Boring fights highly probable.

Is Dana Stumped?. Dana has not met a problem that he has ever been afraid of confronting (and sometimes fixing) with his non PC mouth. Until now. Yes, I know he has said he was ashamed...didn't want to go to the press meeting...so on and so forth...however he seems to be unwilling to directly slam Silva. Simply saying "I don't know what's going on" and that Anderson "needs a challenge". Almost any other fighter would get full frontal Dana...Spider gets the PG version...on lithium and bong hits. Shit, this is a guy who told BJ to stop whining and get in the gym.

Does Silva Care? Dana knows that Silva is going to Boxing PPV valhalla with Rpy Jones Jr. after his UFC contract is over so he needs to cash in of his P4P gem now...RIGHT FUCKING NOW. Which brings the big question: Who does he fight next?

GSP? Maybe...certainly some day. Not if Alves beats GSP first....either way it's too far away.

Maia? No thanks...saw that movie before.

Bisbing? Henderson? Perhaps. But he will need to fight before the winner of that fight is known.

He needs a fighter that will FIGHT...a fighter not afraid to lose...a fighter like Chuck Liddell had Chuck not lost then retired...a fighter whose style spawned the nickname "The Axe Murderer". That is the only answer to the AS puzzle...Wanderlei Silva.

Either at 185 (War is declared??!!) or at 205 which would leave the door open for Maia to get his shot at the 185 belt. If Anderson wins the battle...he earns his fans respect back (and Danas) and no one could fault Wandy for losing to the best. Plus, if they did fight at 205 Wandy can still make a run at 185 after the fight...regardless of the outcome.

Write this down...print it out. That is the next fight that the UFC offer to the Spider. Don't agree? Tell me why it does not make sense.

It does make sense...you know it, I know it, everyone knows it. Including the Silva

UFC 97 Redemption; The Greatest MMA Card of all time?

Silva goes for the record book while Shogun and Iceman seek relevancy.

While UFC 97 may not be the greatest card of all time on paper...I dig it's vibe. It makes me think of an Acorn. An evil, smelly Acorn. Yes, it smells. With 12 fights with top notch MMA talent, you are bound to get more than a few gems. Gems being great fights.

Prediction = Potential. 97 has the potential to be an amazing card. In fact, it has the potential to be the best MMA card of all time. There...I said it. In fact, the best so far is a better way to phrase that.

It could be the best MMA card up to this point. No Shit.

Some reasons why...

12 fights. No further explanation required.

No Brainer: It's really fun to watch Anderson fight. By just being on the card he makes it worth buying. Plus, after the Cote fight, he is looking to establish his rightful place...leaving no question that he is the best fighter on the planet. This is his reputation...his legacy. He takes this very seriously. Look for him to address any issues pertinent to that matter...by smashing Leites right in the face. On multiple occasions. Silva wins by convincingly brutal stoppage in Round 2.

Cheick Mate: If Mr. Congo can get past Antoni...he needs to be considered for a shot or a shot for a shot. Dana wants to go to France? Wrap your head around this: A Heavyweight Championship fight held in Paris. Dude. The UFC is a global brand and imagine the press from having the fight card in Paris...every star in Europe (plus some from the US) will be there. Cheick wins by ref stoppage in round 2....goes on to the HW Title before the year 2010 is over. Write the shit down.

TUF Love: Krzysztof Soszynski is totally psyched. He will grind out a decision over "All American"

Kool and the Kang: Dennis Kang is not as psyched as Krzysztof. For Dennis Kang...this is what some would call...A Money Fight. The people that would not call it a Money fight are fools. Kang is pissed...takes it out on Prof. X, wins via sub in the first round.

Say it ain't so: Two aging legends try to prove that they are both still relevant. For right now...they are. This is the lynch pin of the fight card. If these guys bring their "A" games this will be a sick card (see over the top statement above). Write it down. However, if this fight is a repeat of Shogun/Coleman someone is out of the UFC. Chuck takes this. TKO Round 3

WEC Light Heavyweight champion: Sink or Swim. Last time we saw Cantwell he was reminding us why some people hate this sport. "what's that you say? Oh, you say you broke it?" Asshole. Look for Cane to take this in round 3 via ref stoppage.

TUF love, Part 2; Return of the Love: I hope Eliot wins. I also hope for nightly motorboats. That does not happen. Annoying pretty boy via Sub in the 2nd round.

The Return of the Crow: So Much Promise. Running out of time...another "Money Fight". Textbook. Ed Herman really needs this fight as well. Loser may be out of the UFC. Sleeper pick for fight of the night. The Crow wins via Split Decision.

He Beat Anderson Silva: His fight may not be televised. Ryo "Piranha" Chonan will walk away with a W. Unanimous Decision.

Slug fest: This will be the best fight that is not broadcast on PPV. It's a Lock...you know what fight this is without me even saying the names.

and...a few more fights. However, those were not as intriguing and spawned zero words.

97 has the potential to be an amazing card. In fact, it has the potential to be the best MMA card of all time. There...I said it. In fact, the best so far is a better way to phrase that.

Then again, it may totally suck. I'll watch either way.

UFC 97...The Best and the Rest

While UFC 97 may not be the greatest card of all time on paper...I dig it's vibe.

Some reasons why...

No Brainer: It's really fun to watch Anderson fight. By just being on the card he makes it worth buying. Plus, after the Cote fight, he is looking to establish his rightful place...leaving no question that he is the best fighter on the planet.

Cheick Mate: IF Mr. Congo can get past Antoni...he needs to be considered for a shot or a shot for a shot.

TUF Love: Krzysztof Soszynski is totally psyched.

Kool and the Kang: Dennis Kang is not as psyched as the loveable Pol. For Dennis Kang...this is what some would call...A Money Fight. The people that would not call it a Money fight are fools.

Say it ain't so: Two aging legends try to prove that they are both still relevant. For right now...they are. This is the lynch pin of the fight card. If these guys bring their "A" games this will be a sick card. Write it down. However, if this fight is a repeat of Shogun/Coleman someone is out of the UFC.

WEC Light Heavyweight champion: Sink or Swim.

TUF love, Part 2; Return of the Love: I hope Eliot wins. I also hope for nightly motorboats. That does not happen.

The Return of the Crow: So Much Promise. Running out of time...another "Money Fight". Textbook. Ed Herman really needs this fight as well. Sleeper pick for fight of the night.

He Beat Anderson Silva: His fight may not be televised.

Slugfest: This will be the first fight on the under card to be broadcast on PPV. It's a Lock...you know what fight this is.

and...a few more fights...however, those were not as intriguing and spawned zero words.

97 has the potential of an Acorn.

UFC 97 Redemption Official Fight card

Monteal, Quebec Canada...home of Strip Clubs, the Tri Star Gym, Lots of Snow and about once a year...the greatest fighters on the planet earth. The UFC returns to Canada for "UFC 97: Redemption,"

For the Main Event of the evening...One of the greatest fighters at any weight, Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva squares off against fellow Brazilian Thales Leites. If the "Spider" wins it will be his 9th victory in a row with the UFC...a new record. If he loses then we wil have a new MW champ and Silva will lose a little of that God-Like shine he carries around.

With 11 other fights, UFC 97 sold-out in less than one week...just like the UFCs last trip to Canada (UFC 83) where the organization's all-time attendance (21,390) and live gate ($5.1 million) records were set.

The Card is not bad:

MAIN CARD (televised)

• Middleweight champ Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites
• Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
• Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann
• Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk
• Luis Cane vs. Steve Cantwell

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-televised)

• Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Eliot Marshall
• Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Denis Kang
• Jason MacDonald vs. Nate Quarry
• Ed Herman vs. David Loiseau
• David Bielkheden vs. Mark Bocek
• Ryo Chonan vs. T.J. Grant
• Sam Stout vs. Matt Wiman

Not really sure why Kang v. Foupa-Pokam is on the prelim card and Soszynski vs. Brian Stann is on the main card. I am sure that the almighty Dana has his reasons.

I always love to watch Silva fight...a true artist. I don't know how many more cans they are going to throw at Congo before giving him a shot for a shot...love to see him vs. Carwin or CV. I really hope that Liddel beats the snot out of Shogun. Primarily because I like Chuck and want him to be relevant for a few more years...the clock is ticking FAST. Also because I love to see ex-pride guys get dismantled...Kang, Soku, Shogun, CroCop....WEAK performances in the Octagon. Shogun BARELY beat coleman and looked like ass doing it.

I love this shit.

..Who will be the UFC Champs in two years?

Consider this; two years ago the champs were as follows:

HW: Timmy
LHW: Liddell
MW: Rich Franklin/Silva
WW: Matt Hughes/GSP
LW: Sean Sherk

Two years may seem like a long time but it goes by quick and a lot can change. It makes you think about which fighters have the desire, physical ability and training to end up on top in two years.

It's much more difficult than trying to predict who will win a certain fight that is already set as you need to place your opinion on the entire landscape of the sport...not just the UFC.

Who will the UFC sign over the next four years that may end up a Champ? What Current champ (if any) can hang on that long? What current member of TUF (if any) will hold a belt? the list of questions is long...the possibilities are endless as are the opinions.

Here are mine:

HW: Fedor
LHW: Machida
MW: Anderson Silva
WW: GSP
LW: Kenny Florian

I know that MW and WW seem like cop outs but I just don't see anyone beating GSP or Spider. Two years is 6-8 title defenses (maybe less with injuries) and I can't see any contenders that pose a serious threat to either. Oh yeah...I almost forgot...if you think that Anderson Silva will be retired in 2010 seek help. It will not happen.

Kenny is a long shot...I realize this. But he certainly has the desire...gets better each time he fights and has great trainers. Plus...he’s from Boston. Go Sox.

The UFC will eventually sign Fedor...it will happen, simple economics will prevail. When he does get signed...he will win the belt and keep it.

Call Machida what you will...boring, the ever popular "elusive" etc...but he is for real and if he gets the belt he is the type that could have a long, long run.

Once again...just my opinions.

What are yours?