Non-threadworthy MMA Rumors/Quotes/Tweets, etc.

[Shaazzam]

Welp, as a Silva apologist I'll take a swing at it.

If we frame it within the money argument, I can see why SIlva is doing it. Lombard is an animal, but how many PPV buys can he generate? Same with Weidman. I guess the obvious counter to that would depend on how much cache a Strikeforce champ would have over a Bellator champ. And I'm not sure of the answer to that. Shields had that cache, and IIRC so did Nick Diaz.

I would think the Silva would prefer to fight something like once a year, while Lombard can string together some victories, like the three mentioned, in order to boost his rep o the general public, which would help Silva cash in. The Spider isn't getting any younger, and I'm sure he'd rather make easy money doing sponsorship things between UFC paycheques then have to bust his ass fighting too often.

So as a fight fan, I want to see Silva fight as often as possible. Looking at is from a business POV, and training like a freak too often at 37 years of age, I can see why they feel the way they do.

[K1NG]

I think Silva knows that Weidman is the most legitimate threat to his title. I think he's afraid to lose to a guy who's relatively unknown to the casual fan, believing that it could "tarnish his legacy".

[REDDzone]

Rockhold doesn't draw though. There were two reporters at his last event, lol. Not to mention that fight is literally impossible unless Silva waits out Luke's strikeforce contract.

[CPT]

This is a hard one to figure out without coming to the conclusion that he's ducking Weidman and Lombard. Which I don't truly believe is the case, but nothing else really makes sense.

Rockhold is a distant 3rd in that group as a threat, and probably 3rd as a draw as well (assuming Lombard wins his debut). I don't imagine that most UFC fans know who he is.

I could understand if he was talking about Bisping, Belfort, or even Stann, but Luke Rockhold? Something is up.

[Cammo101]

Anderson has a history of saying stuff like this to try to steer his way to an easier fight.

[Jasen777]

So as a fight fan, I want to see Silva fight as often as possible. Looking at is from a business POV, and training like a freak too often at 37 years of age, I can see why they feel the way they do.

If he wants money wouldn't he fight Jones?

[CPT]

Anderson has a history of saying stuff like this to try to steer his way to an easier fight.

He usually has a point though.

Not wanting to rematch guys he's beaten already and such. Or guys that aren't big enough draws to be in the cage with him.

This just makes no sense to me because he's holding up Rockhold as the guy he wants to fight, when he's the least worthy and no bigger draw than the others.

I totally see the logic in not wanting to go from fighting Sonnen in the biggest fight of his career to fighting a guy who just main evented a Fuel card or a guy who hasn't yet fought in the UFC...but then why prop up Rockhold?

Like I said above, if he had said he wants to fight Bisping, Stann, or Belfort, I may not agree, but at least I'd understand. This just makes no sense at all.

[Gold Chain]

But let's not forget Maia vs Weidman on FOX, that fight sucked.
Boring. Munoz fight was great. Do it again.

I think Belcher is being severely overlooked. Palhares leg-locked him, he got out and finished him.
Most impressive win at MW in a while, in my humble opinion.
This guy will bring it.

Weidman and Rockhold need to show moar.

[CPT]

Belcher has a strong resume overall, but needs that signature win to break through to the next level as a competitor and a draw.

[REDDzone]

Anderson has a history of saying stuff like this to try to steer his way to an easier fight.

Full disclosure: If we redid the GOAT mma fighter thread, I'd probably go Anderson now. The guy is unreal.

That said, the above is true. He had no problem fighting Maia, Okami, or Sonnen the first time. But Sonnen II, Belfort, Henderson, and now Lombard/Weidman he has huge issues with. Look at the first fight and look at the second. I see finishers/threats in one group, and abuncha guys you put in with Anderson and think "its only a matter of time" in the other.

I'd have zero issues if Anderson said he wanted to pick every fight for the rest of his career. As long as his opponent agrees, and the ufc does, I'm all for it. Anderson Silva vs Kendall Grove? Let's do it. I'd pay to watch that guy spar.

But you don't get to pick and choose when you have the belt. At least you shouldn't.

[Shaazzam]

So as a fight fan, I want to see Silva fight as often as possible. Looking at is from a business POV, and training like a freak too often at 37 years of age, I can see why they feel the way they do.

If he wants money wouldn't he fight Jones?

I thought Jones addressed that from a sponsership perspective.

[Cammo101]

I think Rashad moving down to 185 (or even at a catchweight of 195) to fight Anderson makes a ton of sense. If that doesn't happen, then Bisping makes the most sense IMO. Wiedman has the best shot to beat him, but thanks to no one getting Fuel, he can't sell a PPV. Weidman vs. Lombard (if he wins) for the #1 contender spot is a fight that should happen next. As the co-main event on a big PPV.

[REDDzone]

The MW division is kind of crazy right now. Honestly if Boetsch somehow smashed Lombard he'd probably be a fight or two away at most, as well.

Lombard said on mmajunkie that he wouldn't take a title shot after Boetsch though. He said he is calling out Munoz next and needs to fight him.

[NZB2323]

This is why Hendo is one of my favorite fighters. He always wants to fight against the best. If Anderson had the Hendo mentality, he'd cut to WW and fight GSP, then go up to LHW to face Jon Jones, and then fight JDS even though they're not in the same weight class.

I really like the idea of Rashad vs. Anderson. Out of the current MW I think that Lombard or Weidman makes the most sense.

[SDM]

Andy does this all the time.

"I want to fight Rockhold"
"You can't fight Rockhold"
"Okay, then I'll fight whoever if you pay me more"

[skflives]

Anderson has a history of saying stuff like this to try to steer his way to an easier fight.

Full disclosure: If we redid the GOAT mma fighter thread, I'd probably go Anderson now. The guy is unreal.

But you don't get to pick and choose when you have the belt. At least you shouldn't.

F*ck it I'd still pick Fedor. Unfortunately though Anderson Silva is the only one of the two guys adding to his resume so even unreasonable Fedor nutthuggers like me have to acknowledge that Anderson Silva taking the top spot is inevitable.

As for the general question of Anderson having a say in who he fights I think he's done enough in his career and for the UFC to have be able to influence who lines up against him. He's earned that privilege I think. But at the same time if the UFC insists that his next fight be against someone like Weidman or Lombard Anderson Silva would wind up fighting them.

[SDM]

I don't get it. Who hasn't he fought at 185 that was worthy of a shot?

[Gold Chain]

This is why Hendo is one of my favorite fighters. He always wants to fight against the best. If Anderson had the Hendo mentality, he'd cut to WW and fight GSP, then go up to LHW to face Jon Jones, and then fight JDS even though they're not in the same weight class.

I really like the idea of Rashad vs. Anderson. Out of the current MW I think that Lombard or Weidman makes the most sense.

But Anderson tuned him once.

I hear you, Hendo's the man, but he has to keep moving to look for title shots.

Anderson has had that belt since 2006.

I can see no way Hendo wins, bar a hail mary clockrocker.

[NZB2323]

This is why Hendo is one of my favorite fighters. He always wants to fight against the best. If Anderson had the Hendo mentality, he'd cut to WW and fight GSP, then go up to LHW to face Jon Jones, and then fight JDS even though they're not in the same weight class.

I really like the idea of Rashad vs. Anderson. Out of the current MW I think that Lombard or Weidman makes the most sense.

But Anderson tuned him once.

I hear you, Hendo's the man, but he has to keep moving to look for title shots.

Anderson has had that belt since 2006.

I can see no way Hendo wins, bar a hail mary clockrocker.

While there's no denying that Anderson is a better fighter, I don't think that Hendo moves because he has to in ordre to get title shots. He held two belts in Pride, and he left the LHW strikeforce title in order to fight Fedor. I think that if Hendo beat Jones and they asked him who he would like to fight next, he'd say Anderson.

[Gold Chain]

This is why Hendo is one of my favorite fighters. He always wants to fight against the best. If Anderson had the Hendo mentality, he'd cut to WW and fight GSP, then go up to LHW to face Jon Jones, and then fight JDS even though they're not in the same weight class.

I really like the idea of Rashad vs. Anderson. Out of the current MW I think that Lombard or Weidman makes the most sense.

But Anderson tuned him once.

I hear you, Hendo's the man, but he has to keep moving to look for title shots.

Anderson has had that belt since 2006.

I can see no way Hendo wins, bar a hail mary clockrocker.

While there's no denying that Anderson is a better fighter, I don't think that Hendo moves because he has to in ordre to get title shots. He held two belts in Pride, and he left the LHW strikeforce title in order to fight Fedor. I think that if Hendo beat Jones and they asked him who he would like to fight next, he'd say Anderson.

Agreed.