Dana White 'lukewarm' to Anderson Silva vs Chuck Liddell
by MMAmania.com on Oct 31, 2008 12:01 AM EDT
68 comments
Props: Yahoo!Sports.com
"I think the fight for Silva is one against Liddell on Jan. 31 at UFC 94 in Las Vegas. UFC president Dana White has been lukewarm on it so far, but it would be a fun battle and it certainly would be a fight that would have Silva motivated.... [White] didn’t seem all that interested. I had talked with him about it in a private phone conversation about 10 days earlier and he was no more interested in it then. I’m not saying it won’t happen, just that Dana doesn’t seem enthused by the idea"
Yahoo!Sports reporter Kevin Iole talks about Dana White's reaction to a potential showdown between UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Chuck Liddell in a 205-pound showdown. "The Spider" has just five fights left possibly in his career, which means that the promotion will likely try and get the most out of its most talented fighter before he exits stage left. He recently topped Patrick Cote at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" on October 25 because of a freak knee injury that prevented the Canadian from continuing; however, Silva's performance was puzzling and received an avalanche of criticism. As a result, he is eager to return to competition as soon as possible to prove that it was just an aberration and not an indication of his ability or representative of his respect for his opponents and the sport. Liddell has lost three of his last four fights, but is still perhaps the most recognized fighter on the roster, making a fight between Silva and Liddell more than likely a huge money maker. "The Iceman" is really the only high profile 205-pound fighter who is available to compete anytime soon besides maybe Keith Jardine.
0 recs |
68 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Liddell would get killed. This fight would be dumb. Don’t know who he should fight though, everyone’s busy.
by NameNotRequired on Oct 31, 2008 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sign Lil Nog or Babalu!!! both of those guys are tough as nails and would give him a fight… and they both have the skillset to take silva into the deep end. If that cant happen, match him up with Luiz Cane!
by brendan on Oct 31, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
im hearing about some big fights in the next couple months.
this is the word on the grape~vine!!
andy-vs-jardine for ufc92 or 93.
sanchez-vs-thiago for jan’09.
and cung lee-vs-andy sometime in the 1st quarter of 09.
and from what im hearing?
the jardine-silva fight is almost signed.
also~
i can almost gaurantee that andy will not be fighting the iceman.
look for a iceman-soko fight or iceman-luis cane fight
in the near future.
and remember! u heard all that from stinky~
by ricky~dooby on Oct 31, 2008 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks stinky, all your doing is backing my prediction (from a good source) that silva will be fighting cung le. I heard it will be closer to UFC100, but either way, I was being called names for saying this match will take place.
by kevin (some guys hate me...and I don't care) on Oct 31, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if liddell would of beat evans yeah, but now i say silva vs rampage if he beats w.silva or the winner of rashad evans vs griffin
please not rashad vs a.silva they would make it like a dancing with the stars
by mikeybear on Oct 31, 2008 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chuck would get killed but it would be a big payday for the both of them
If Chuck is done why not fight the best rather then fight a less than talented fighter and still lose
It would make the card extremely sick!
If Chuck does seem to pull it off…it puts him at least right back in the mix for a while.
If Anderson losses he still keeps his belt and can say he lost to a bigger man not in his natural weight class.
I like it….your thoughts guys?
by Robert on Oct 31, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
mark my words perfect fight for liddell he would counter and knock silva out
by GINAS hotttt on Oct 31, 2008 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It would be a brilliant fight. A good test for Liddell and Silva, truly show if Silva can step up and fight with the big boys. Liddell would get a good test against Silva being a technical fighter as well. It should happen and if Silva loses it would show that he can’t step up into that league. Chuck is still as lethal as before but needs to change his game plan.
by mrpotatohead on Oct 31, 2008 6:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this would not be brilliant at all…no wonder dana is so reluctant…chuck is still his golden boy and he DOES NOT want to see him visciously KO’d by Silva…in saying that he says Silva is #1 pound for pound and if chuck (not even in top 10) beats him then he looks like an idiot…either way this fight is not going to happen as long as Dana is president
by Breton on Oct 31, 2008 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should get the winner of Lyoto/Thiago – unless the winner of that fight goes for the belt.
That or Rich Franklin………lol
by DFoy on Oct 31, 2008 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s never going to fight Lyoto (I presume you’re talking about Anderson here given the Rich comment.) They’re team mates along with Nog too…Unless you’re talking about Chuck fighting Lyoto/Thiago. In that case, why not.
by RobH86 on Oct 31, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only if he can connect. Silva will dodge all the punches and connect with his own and finish him off 2nd or 3rd round KTFO
by spiderman on Oct 31, 2008 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give Liddell some credit. It is not like he is a can. Liddell would have knocked the crap out of Cote. Still, it is a dangerous fight for Chuck, and it doesn’t really help the UFC to have either Chuck or Anderson lose right now.
by naturalshadow on Oct 31, 2008 3:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Knocked the crap out of Cote? Just like Evans & Jardine? Please, everyone is hip to Chuck’s game. Especially a guy with a cement head like Cote. Anderson hit that dude hard and he didn’t drop. This is the same Anderson Silva that shut out the lights on the MW Cabbage (Leben) if I was Cote, I’d only sign bout agreements against strikers from now on. :)
by Gabber on Oct 31, 2008 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That middleweight Cabbage beat Cote. Evans and Jardine would also kick the crap out of Cote. Anderson played with Cote. He was never in the fight, and is not on Anderson’s level. Cote is a B level mw, so yes, Chuck would kill him.
by naturalshadow on Oct 31, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
for the love of skinny punks, please let this fight happen. i would actually beg on both hands and knees for this fight.
by bradpittfightclub on Oct 31, 2008 12:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great plan. Worked for Franca and GSP :)
by yohnstoppable on Oct 31, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To comeback after that KO from Rashad is tough enough, to comeback against Anderson Silva is probably asking too much, I’m not sure who Chuck’s next opponent should be?… any suggestions?
by THORAZINE on Oct 31, 2008 12:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would like to see him rematch Jardine.
by naturalshadow on Oct 31, 2008 3:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chuck needs a big fight like this, although very very risky, one win puts him back in the picture…similar to when he lost to Jardine and came back to beat W Silva.
If they hand pick another guy for him to beat (like they did giving him Jardine and Evans) and he loses he’s done.
It’s make or break for Liddell simply as that.
by UKMMA on Oct 31, 2008 6:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that fight isn’t going to happen. And who’s Kevin Iole to be going around playing matchmaker?! Who the f@#k does he think he is? Iole ain’t shit.
Silva should fight Luiz Cane on 92. That’s what should happen.
by Anthony on Oct 31, 2008 12:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Luiz Cane vs Silva would be an great fight! Silva wants a challange that would be a fucking challange
by Thebending on Oct 31, 2008 5:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks you anthony like yea who the fuck does this guy think he is…“i think the fight for silva is one against liddell” then he goes on to say how dana wasn’t even feeling that fight and no wonder why!! Chuck just got KTFO by rashad and Silva had (in somepeople’s opinion) his worst fight in the UFC…why would you match up 2 of your biggest stars against eachother when they both desperatley need a huge win?? one needs a win so he doesn’t end up committing suicide and the other needs a win to silence all the haters…it just doesnt make sense….does this guy know anything about how the UFC works???
by Breton on Oct 31, 2008 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ryo chonan is 170 but could move up to 185. He was beating Silva in the third round in pride and then linked up a flying heel hook to add a ! to his victory. Watch the fight on youtube. Chonan knew Anderson’s favorite combos and countered well and maintained the to position for half of the fight. Anderson wants to avenge losses bring on Chonan. The judo style takedowns work better than wretling style against someone who can knee, kick and sprawl. Watch the first fight Chonan beat him.
by scott on Oct 31, 2008 12:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I have thought about that rematch before, but I don’t think Chonan would want to go up that high in weight to fight the Anderson of today. I wouldn’t mind seeing Anderson avenge that loss though.
by naturalshadow on Oct 31, 2008 3:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chonan fought the perfect fight against Silva, even before the submission. I know there is this huge myth about it being a miracle comeback, but that’s not how it went down. I still say Silva was slightly ahead, but a lot of people had Chonan winning that fight (including the announcers) before that sub.
I’d rate that as one of the best performances in mma history
by yohnstoppable on Oct 31, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chuck needs a major win to get back on track. I think this is a good fight, for both fighters.
by JoshuaThomas on Oct 31, 2008 12:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
they should just give him a good fight and if he wins it he needs to be the next man to challenge for the 205 title!
by RoB on Oct 31, 2008 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sry i’m talking about A.Silva.. the fight with Chuck won’t happen cause Chuck stands no chance the only thing that will happen is that he’s going to retire if they fight next..
by RoB on Oct 31, 2008 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly and why would Dana want that? I don’t understand why people like Iole keep throwing around the Anderson/Liddell matchup. It’s retarded. All that would happen is another 1st rd KO of Liddell and a subsequent loud crash would be heard in the background and as you go to inspect wtf it was you realize that it was Liddell’s career.
by Anthony on Oct 31, 2008 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this would be a great fight even though Chuck has lost 3 of his last 4 fights..i think it would still be a very entertaining fight regardless who wins..Chuck even blamed the loss to Evans to himself not to Hackleman like everybody is saying that he should change his camp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLRKzwErlP0&eurl=http:/
by daftmania on Oct 31, 2008 12:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Liddell actually has a real good chance of winning the fight, long as he does what he does best counterpunch. He still can easly knock most people out with 1hit so definitely would be a interesting match up.
by Khaos_Warrior on Oct 31, 2008 12:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When did you see Liddell someone out with one punch? Silva is way better at everything in the standup..
by RoB on Oct 31, 2008 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean knock someone out with one punch?
randy couture, vernon white thats just off the top of my head
Silva would still dominate! Thats why that fight wont happen, the ufc wants chuck to get another win and keep marketing him. Give silva jardine, they seem to like to give jardine fights hes not suppose to win.
by mike22 on Oct 31, 2008 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep that’s what i meant, you’re right those are the last ko’s from one punch and that was a long time ago now.. I don’t want Silva to fight Jardine but there’s not too many options out there right now, they need to sign more good LHW’s..
by RoB on Oct 31, 2008 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah you cant really count Jardine out of any fight… Like you said, he was supposed to lose against forrest, chuck, and vera, and came out on top and thats quite an accomplishment if u ask me
by brendan on Oct 31, 2008 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The reason Dana is not enthused is because it is two viable money makers being set up for one fight.
This is not a good way to do business when you can have them both fight different people and make twice as much money.
Plus Chuck is Dana’s boy and he does not want to see him get KTFO again.
by DirtyML on Oct 31, 2008 12:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Exactly that. Where would that leave Chuck if he loses again? Dana would like to serve up a ham for Chuck to fight next, to help him with his confidence. Besides, Chuck in no way, has deserved a fight with arguably the best P4P fighter in the world!
by mma_dad on Oct 31, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if chuck were to lose this, his pulling power money wise would drop to shit. i believe that is why dana would not put this on. he has had a big loss, and 3 in his last four. liddell will probably be fed someone he is expected to beat next time.
by andrew on Oct 31, 2008 1:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He lost 3 out of his last 4. I think it might already be sh1T.
by Gord on Oct 31, 2008 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does this surprise anyone – “Oh… Dana is lukewarm on this fight” – Of course he is!!! Chuck and Dana are best buddies, and as such, Dana looks for whats in Chuck’s best interest…in other words, who Chuck “should” be able to beat. Putting Anderson up against Chuck is a fight I’d love to see — I still hate it that there are 1 trick dogs in MMA like Chuck. Some of you people saying this fight doesn’t make sense…oh yeah, and Couture V. Lesnar makes a TON of sense…
by Timby on Oct 31, 2008 1:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
chuck is a bad matchup for silva…..chuck would most likely win,he wont play into silvas game,at all
by tex mex on Oct 31, 2008 1:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
billionaire??
i am no billionaire either~
i wish and hope too
one day have bread like that.
thanks though!
by ricky~dooby on Oct 31, 2008 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
AWESOME MATCH UP HERE!!!!!!!! IS CHUCK GONNA BE THE UNDERDog?? I hope this happens because 2008 would rock hard man, Silva vs RAmpage, GSP vs Penn, and then Liddell vs Silva…… This is an interesting match up to say the least.
by Colin D on Oct 31, 2008 1:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone remember what Silva said(after Cote fight) during the Rogan interview? verbatim would nice…
RE: "people don’t know what we go through as fighters"?
or something like that??
Thanks in advance
by Ground-Game on Oct 31, 2008 2:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the best possible fight for Chuck if he wants to skyrocket back to the top with one big win that would erase his recent losses. He would be a reasonably large underdog, but would still have a decent shot at the upset, IMO.
Chuck has the kind of style that could give him trouble if AS has an off night. He has KO power while backing up and until he is taken out is a threat to win the fight. Of course, Anderson could practically end his career with a brutal KO, but this is a fight Chuck should want, I think, because it could catapult him right back into contention. One punch is all it takes (or one flurry) and while I would only give Chuck about a 10-15% chance of pulling off the win, that is enough to make it worth it, because he needs a huge win right now over a top guy to get back in the game.
by Revjames13 on Oct 31, 2008 3:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a lose-lose for the UFC. Liddell is one of their biggest draws and a personal friend to Dana White. Silva is an anchor to the UFC dominance on talent. White mentions every 10 sentences that Anderson is the best P4P fighter in the world.
So if Chuck loses one of your biggest draws drops his 4th of 5. If Anderson loses then it is clear that the best P4P fighter is not in the UFC.
by EazyEismydad on Oct 31, 2008 4:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Liddell doesnt stand a chance against Silva. I am a huge Liddell fan and I dont want to see this happen to him.Liddell would actualy have to take the fight to the ground to win coz he would get picked apart by Silva on the feet and it would result in a brutal KO.
by mma grand master on Oct 31, 2008 5:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Chuck is the ufc poster boy anymore, and pretty sure he asked Dana for this fight but chuck should seriously consider retirement before fighting silva.
by Thebending on Oct 31, 2008 5:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s amazing how quickly people are to disregard great fighters these days and overhype others didn’t we just go through this nonsense with Cote vs. Silva?. Chuck is still dangerous and if he comes focused and prepared and not looking ahead and distracted he can easily end the fight with his power. I’d personally love to see the fight because anytime that Chuck is an underdog he always comes out and performs at his best and nothing would make him get his stuff together than reading some of the post on here.
by EJ on Oct 31, 2008 6:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Silva is not losing to anyone who is 1-3 in his last 4 fights!
by BOW on Oct 31, 2008 7:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Liddell said in the past that he thinks he’s a bad match up for Silva and that he thought that Silva was a little to small for him. So I say give Silva to him and we will see. If Silva beats him, then he gets the winner of Evans vs. Forrest. The winner of the Machida fight gets the winner of Silva vs Evans/Forrest. Silva wants block buster fights and Chuck is the biggest draw that would be available at 205.
by brac on Oct 31, 2008 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A lot of you aren’t giving Liddell the credit he deserves. Who says A.Silvas standup is better?—How the hell do you figure that? Brutal standup and almost impossible to take down: that IS Liddell! Evans tagged him, first ever KO, it happens… that’s not enought to discount him as a top level fighter.
This WOULD be great fight!!! A.Silva has been said to be the best P4P fighter in the world, yeah right… and I’ll tell you why: other than Franklin and maybe Hendo, he has only ever fought good/mediocre fighters, not world class! And Liddell is world class, along with W.Silva, Jackson, GSP, etc. If A.Silva beats some of these guys, then and only then, would he truly be best P4P figher in the world.
Most of you sheep have just jumped on the A.Silva bandwaggon because it’s the easier/safer choice, make up your own minds damnit. Lets face it, Liddell still has a solid chin, is a very dangerous striker, and still has the best taketown defence in the UFC, that makes for a great matchup and fight against A.Silva! And Liddell has just as good of a chance to win as A.Silva—for every reason why any of you think he can’t, I can think of 2 or 3 reasons why he can (example: Evans KO’d Liddell… so! Liddell KO’d Couture and beat the snot out of W.Silva). Case closed.
by JS on Oct 31, 2008 10:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
First KO ever? are u new to MMA?
Rampage knocked him out twice. 1 TKO in Japan. Once in Vegas baby…Vegas.
by Ground-Game on Oct 31, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude this is what chuck needs a big fight to push…. I think he would surprise alot of people..
by TylerTAPOUT on Nov 6, 2008 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Chuck Liddell vs Luiz Cane
Anderson Silva vs Kieth Jardine
by braveheart on Oct 31, 2008 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chuck is done! The desire is gone he is just going thruogh the motions getting a paycheck.
by mmafreak on Oct 31, 2008 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dana shouldn’t have to put this fight on, but he has few choices now for Anderson. If Chuck loses, he could retire. If Chuck wins, Anderson is no longer “pound for pound” (but hey, he never was).
Chuck could win, if he stuck to a gameplan of taking Silva down and working ground and pound and avoiding submission attempts. But, Chuck never sticks to gameplans, so this is a bad matchup for him.
by Space on Oct 31, 2008 6:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RE: Ground-Game
For whatever reason, my comments won’t post here, so here’s another shot… this is basically what I wrote:
Perhaps it should be me asking if you are new to MMA? Do you know the difference between a ‘KO’ and a ‘TKO’?
Example: "On April 16, 2005, Couture lost his title and suffered the first knockout loss of his career in a rematch with Chuck Liddell." But a dumbass might ask: ‘But I know Couture has been TKO’d before, how could a reputable source like the UFC website be wrong? The answer: they are two very different things! (KO’s and TKO’s). But I don’t have the time or patience to babysit and explain it, look it up yourself.
By point being that Liddell is still a great fighter with a solid chin. Maybe someone might want to actually contribute a real opinion instead of embarrassing himself/herself by incorrectly arguing minor facts.
by JS on Oct 31, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is what Chuck Liddell needs… A big fight to get him back in his groove…
by TylerTAPOUT on Nov 6, 2008 2:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on MMA Mania
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
