This Saturday night, the UFC brings its annual Super Bowl eve card to the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card is headlined by Anderson “the Spider” Silva defending his UFC Middleweight Title against Vitor Belfort.
Silva vs. Belfort
Silva comes into his 13th UFC fight, riding a 13 fight win streak going back to April 2006. With a career record of 27 – 4, 12 – 0 UFC, Silva, a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo & Tae Kwon Do, doesn’t seem like he’s ready to give up his gold. We all know what happened in his last fight against Chael Sonnen, but did the Sonnen beat down teach Belfort anything about how to beat Silva? It’s possible, but a fight against a guy like Belfort could be just what Silva needs to get into a groove.
Belfort is the big question mark in this fight. He owns a career record of 19 – 8, 8 – 4 UFC, but hasn’t fought since defeating Rich Franklin at UFC 103 in September 2009. Belfort has two of the most powerful hands in the sport and could be a legitimate knockout threat to Silva. Silva has never faced anyone with the power of Belfort. But Belfort has never faced anyone with the ability to dodge a punch like Silva either. That being said, how much of an issue will the ring rust be for Belfort? He also recently changed camps, which could mean he didn’t fully train for Silva.
Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader
In a battle of two of the UFC’s brightest stars, Jones & Bader will fight to decide who moves up the ladder towards the Light Heavyweight Title. Jones, 11 – 1, 5 – 1 UFC, has been dominating throughout the early part of his career. The lone loss came by disqualification in December 2009 against Matt Hamill, in a fight he looked remarkable in. Jones hasn’t necessarily beaten any stars at this point, but neither has Bader. Training with Greg Jackson has helped the 23 year old fighter mature. He has raw wrestling ability and continually evolving his Muay Thai.
Bader, the winner of TUF 8 has gone 12- 0 in his MMA career, 5 – 0 UFC. The former collegiate wrestler has also trained in BJJ & Boxing and holds an impressive unanimous decision victory over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in September 2010. Bader also owns victories over Keith Jardine & Eric Shafer, but will be facing the biggest challenge of his career when he steps into the Octagon Saturday. This fight could easily be the Fight of the Night, or have the Knockout of the Night or Tap Out of the Night. That’s how good these two young men are.
Forrest Griffin vs. Franklin
In a battle between two men who have each been bitten by the “Spider,” Griffin & Franklin will fight to see who may still have title aspirations, and who may be going on permanent vacation. Griffin, the original TUF winner holds a 17 – 6 record, 8 – 4 UFC. He is 3 – 2 over his last 5 fights, with victories over Tito Ortiz, Quinton Jackson & Mauricio Rua and losses to Rashad Evans & Silva. The black belt in BJJ hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since the split decision victory over Ortiz at UFC 106 in November 2009. Could ring rust be an issue for Griffin? I think the way he trains; he might be able to overcome that issue.
Franklin holds a career record of 28 – 5 – 1 NC, 13 – 4 UFC. Over his last 5 fights, he also holds a 3 – 2 record, with wins over Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva & Hamill, while losing to Belfort & Dan Henderson. Franklin owns a brown belt in BJJ, but hasn’t won by submission since 2004. He’s relied on his kickboxing skills throughout his UFC career, but Griffin possesses the same talents in kickboxing as he does. It seems like a long time ago Franklin was dominating the Middleweight division, and now he’s a light heavyweight just trying to stay at the top of the rankings. There’s nothing better than a fight that has both men with their backs to the walls.
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