Lose Lose Situation
By Curtis Clontz on Jul 17, 2008
Remember when Dan Henderson shocked the world by beating Wanderlei Silva? If not, then you certainly remember the two belts he held when he fought Anderson Silva in the unification fight at 185. Hendo was not supposed to have both the 185 and 205 belts. He was supposed to lose to Wand in a big name but very winnable fight for the Axe Murderer. In an ironic twist to the story, Hendo defeated Wand and stood atop the Pride mountain. If the UFC is not careful there could be a repeat of these events this weekend.
This weekend the UFC is using some of their star power to keep fans away from the inaugural Affliction card. This card is the deepest heavyweight card ever. In what seems to be a fight between organizations, the UFC is putting the pound for pound most dangerous fighter in the world in the cage for free on Spike. This sounds great and he will steal some viewers from the Affliction card, but is it worth it?
Is it worth it to put in your top guy out of his weight class? Is it worth it to possibly put a blemish on your current top dog? Anderson Silva versus James Irvin is a bad situation for the 185 champ.
Realistically, who is James Irvin in the 205 pound division? Sure, he is the guy that knocked out Houston Alexander. The same Alexander that demolished a fighter many feel has a weak chin in Keith Jardine. Speaking of weak chin, Alexander is the newest to join the glass jaw club. Irvin was able to KO him in a matter of seconds in their fight. Irvin is not a top 5 guy in the division, maybe not even top 10. So why risk putting Anderson against a striker that is known to have power and that can knock you out? Especially one that is as confident as Irvin.
Let us look into the MMA crystal ball, will Anderson Silva more than likely pull out a victory in this fight, absolutely. The real question is not if he will win, but what if he doesn’t? Obviously it doesn’t hurt him in the 185 pound division, but an immediate loss to a non contender almost puts a halt to his 205 pound quest before it really begins.
If Silva gets knocked out by one of Irvin’s powerful punches the questions will fly! Why was he fighting at 205? Does he have a suspect chin? Will this rattle his mental state? I can see the headlines now. So why do it?
The only true answer is that the UFC knows Anderson has a following and people want to see him fight. He has an all around game and provides excitement that the Affliction card may not be able to provide. In a way Dana White and the UFC are going all in hoping and praying for that perfect hand. Just like in cards this hand could get ugly fast. What if Anderson Silva gets destroyed or worse… hurt?
This move is not worth the risk. The fight card is a great idea and amazing business move, but Silva fighting at 205 doesn’t make much sense. Silva has nothing to gain and tons to lose against Irvin. James is a man that is the complete opposite. He has nothing to lose. A victory over Silva more than puts him on the map and possibly gets him a step behind the notables in the division. Irvin can go all out and try to play spoiler against the best fighter around. He get’s to play the role of Jimmie V and NC State, Matt Serra, the New York Giants, or the U.S. Hockey team. A victory puts his name in history forever. Irving is a dangerous man that is confident and will be looking to fight not only for him, but for the entire 205 division. This is a dangerous move, but could be an exciting fight. Only time will tell what really happens but with a defeat at 205, will Silva still be the P4P best in the world? That is the question we will ask if Irvin pulls out the amazing upset.
Curtis
Are you serious? This is by no way a lose lose situation…If he gets beat, so what. No big deal! Again your views seemed to be a bit skewed.
Knocked down and knocked out are two different things. Jardine was KOed cold in his Silva fight. Alexander was up and ready to go quickly after both fights against Thiago and Irvin. I can’t really defend him because he has a lot to prove in the ring.
What I think many fans tend to forget is that fighters understand that they will lose some and win some. Anderson, Chuck, Wanderlei, and Nick Diaz all understand that because they’re fighters. It’s going to be difficult for the UFC or any MMA organization to build a star because there are so many ways to lose. It’s going to happen a-la flying scissors.
While Irvin may not have name value or be considered a top contender in the UFC LHW division, that does not discount his ability to beat Liddell, Jardine, Wanderlei, Rampage, Griffin or Shogun. Hey Griffin choked out Shogun, was he a contender prior to that fight? No.
Why risk putting Anderson Silva against a power KO puncher like Irvin?? Because some people would love to the outcome? Here’s a guy who may be able to stand up with Silva, what a great prospect! If Silva suffers a defeat, then he loses his first UFC fight! Would you rather have the champion fight a safe fight against an obviously safe non-contender in the 205 division. Silva trains with 205′ers, heavyweights and used to train with Chute Boxe’s best in Wanderlei Silva.
The KO possibility, two Muay Thai specialist, Anderson Silva’s first foray into the LH division are reasons why this fight will be a compelling and exciting fight. Joe Silva deserves much credit!! Also do not forget FOUR LHW turned this fight down, but their names were not mentioned. Here’s another interesting question, will Silva actually see the end of the 3rd round? Irvin doesn’t think so.
It would be really cool to see Silva take the fight to the floor and sub Irvin, just to mix it up and confuse Irvin for an easy submission victory.
Willis drank his haterade this morning.
Vee,
Good reply!
I agree that being knocked down and knocked out are two differant things.
…but other than money and putting up Anderson Silva vs Fedor (let’s be real thats what it is anyway) why put your best fighter against someone that could really damage Silva?
Like I said other than the money part…
Everyone has a punchers chance and all will win and lose, but why make this move?
Curtis,
Anderson does not plan on fighting in the 205 division often. Reportedly his next match up is Okami and afterwards probably another 185 competitor. I don’t really think there’s going to be any harm in his attempt to move up in weight. Sure Wanderlei tried to fight a heavy Cro-Cop and lost but no real harm to his star power. *Note, Wanderlei fought Cro-Cop to a draw back 2002′s Pride 20. If Anderson loses to Okami, then I’m sure fickle fans will begin to question his overall skills, age, level of competition, etc. Losing will prove that he’s better suited for 185lbs or James Irvin is simply a tough competitor.
I don’t think losing will hurt the UFC, because unlike boxing they’re really trying to put the best possible competitors in front of each other. Surely many MMA fighters dodge fights for a possible easier win to pad their records but many actually face the best of the best . . . unless they’re called to face Lyoto Machida. How great will Thiago Silva vs Lyoto Machida be? One of them will no longer be undefeated! And I think Thiago can and will force action.
If he wins, Dana will continue to proclaim that he’s the greatest fighter, better than Fedor, Curtis Clontz, Mike Tyson in his prime, Klitschko, Calzaghe, and Arthur Abraham. The highlight reel going into the Okami title defense will be great, especially if he can finish Irvin.
I’m surprised that you said “Maybe not top 10.” Irvin, as far as I’m concerned, is definitely not a top ten guy, even with the win over Alexander. But that’s just me.
I do think that this is one of the most interesting matchups for Anderson coming up to this division. I think that it will be exciting, but I’m not convinced that Silva has anything to gain by winning this fight.
If Anderson wins, he’ll have to drop down to fight Okami or Kampmann soon anyway, and while he might assert himself as a contender, he’ll definitely have much tougher competition than Irvin if he’s going to look for a title shot. (he’ll probably have to fight Machida or Thiago or Vera before the thought even starts working to the forefront of people’s minds)
The move is good for the UFC, not good for Anderson. It gives the UFC brass the opportunity to put on a fight that has some value to the division (while it has none to Anderson) and give us an exciting matchup. Unfortunately, there’s not much to gain for Anderson in the short term, except, perhaps establishing his pound-for-pound ranking even further (though he main loose that to a re-envigorated BJ Penn in the long term anyway).
Also, a slight factual error. Dan had already lost one belt when he fought Anderson. He gave that one to Rampage overseas, in case you had forgotten.
Josh,
Good point, I was looking at it as he was the last to hold that belt in Pride.
Good thoughts!
Vee,
Things are night and day compared to back then. I see Silva losing to Irvin being a much bigger deal becaues of the current spot light of Silva. I think Silva will win, but there are just too many what ifs…
This fight is all about money! In the end they will be distracting viewers from the Affliction show. Who cares if Anderson takes a loss? I am sure it is a chance the UFC is willing to take.
Willis,
If Silva gets beat people will start to ask if he is ok, is the loss will hurt his mind (like GSP), they will start to say how the fight was a mistake and bla bla bla.
but like you said, it is a chance the UFC is willing to take to combat Affliction.