Wanderlei Silva: There are no easy fights in the UFC

by Jesse Holland on Mar 20, 2009 12:44 PM EDT

Quoteworthy:

"The UFC gave me a good choice in a hard opponent again, because here, you have no easy fights. First Chuck, after, Jardine, Rampage, and now, Franklin; just tough guys. But I love it, because I love to fight with the best guys. I need to know my limit, and where it’s possible that I’m going. I give the time to give a lot of shows. I know I’m going to have a great future."

– Wanderlei Silva talks about his upcoming fight against Rich Franklin at UFC 99 from the the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, on June 13. "The Axe Murderer" is confident that he will be able to handle the weight cut to the proposed catchweight of 195 pounds, which could serve as a precursor to future fights at middleweight. This is a big fight for the Brazilian — he has dropped four of his last five fights — against a very tough opponent. He needs a win bad … especially after the hard stance Dana White has taken of former headliners like Chuck Liddell.

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Comments

Great to hear Wandy not talking about retirement so much, that Jardine fight really helped his confidence…although I think his best days are behind him….I have to always watch and root for the Ax Murder!!!

by Robert(1) on Mar 20, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

I hate to say it cos he is one of my favourite fighters ever but I think his wild style it gonna be tailor made for someone like Rich and I would hate to see him drop another one as it may be his last in the UFC….

Where would he go if that happened?? Dream maybe or Strikeforce…….damn I don’t even wanna think about it.

by Ca$z on Mar 20, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

No worries, he will not drop this fight; Wanderlei is going to get to Rich and deliver the finishing blow. He’s already stated after the Jackson fight that he’s working on more technical striking and changing up his style and imo Rich Franklin has lost a lot of his passion for the sport. I like Rich, he is one of my favorites, but he doesn’t seem at all like the Rich of old, I think those loss’s to A. Silva really put a dent in his pride. He wasn’t just beat, he was a world champion that got destroyed. That has to be tough to take, one minute you’re the best in your division, the next minute your getting served.

With that said, Wanderlei is never short on passion/aggression, I expect to see the same killer instinct in there, with some adjustments and improvements thrown into the mix.

WAR WANDI!!!

by O damn he got caught on Mar 20, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I just read some interesting news. Wanderlie would like this 195 lb catch weight fight to introduce a new Super MIddleweight weight class. He says guys like HIm, Henderson,Babalu, HOuston who all walk around at 208 lbs are too small for LHW, when you got guys like forrest that cut down from 240 lbs. He said that getting down to 185 lbs is tough and his ideal weight class would be the 195 lb division. When the commissions made the new unified rules last year, they included this super middleweight division…its just up top the UFC if they want to use it or not.

what do you guys think? would a super middleweight division be good or bad for the UFC?

by john on Mar 21, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

A Super-Middleweight Division? That’s news to me. If thats true then I’d love to see it. I mean they’ve got 135, 145 & 155 divisions. All just 10 lbs away from the next. Why not add one more between 185 & 205. Hmmmm…

The only down side I can think of (if u can call it that) is that it could temporarily thin the HW, LHW & MW divisions. Even the WW divisions. LHW’s like the ones Wand mentioned and others would be enticed to move to the new SMW division…MW’s who may struggle to cut down to 185 may move up…the thinning of the divisions would encourage smaller HW’s to drop to LHW & bigger WW’s to bump up to MW if the MW’s start moving to the SMW division. Hmmm…

All that moving around could result in some great match ups and ultimately more fights and more potential stars.

Final Verdict:

Great Idea!

by Machine on Mar 21, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

if he fought danny abaddi, it would be an easy fight.

by tonydanza on Mar 20, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions

if he would of beat jackson he woulda been up there..

it’s really hard for team members to be in the same weight class so we can see a Wnady vs Shogun or Maia vs Wandy if he really does go 185

by mikeybear on Mar 21, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

To be the best you have to beat the best…. and nothing should come easy.

by DJ on Mar 20, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Win or lose, I love to watch Wand fight. He’s a pitbull, and is more concerned about giving the fans a great fight to watch than winning. I hope the UFC holds on to this guy no matter what. This is a very interesting match up, I take Wand via decision.

by Josh H. on Mar 20, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn straight, I don’t think anyone’s had as tough a line up as Wanderlei lately; fallin on some hard times but he’s not over the hill yet, I’m looking forward to seeing some adjustments and watching a renewed/rejuvinated Axe Murderer go on one last spree of destruction!

WAR WANDERLEI

by O damn he got caught on Mar 20, 2009 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

I think after the Franklin fight, the move to middleweight will rejuvenate his career. Wanderlei has been outsized in almost every one of his fights. that wont happen often at middleweight…and he deserves to be the bigger/stronger man in a fight for a change!

I bet there aren’t too many middleweights that are happy to welcome him to the division!

by john on Mar 20, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

What would be awesome is if he can get the KO on Franklin and move down to MW with a highlight reel win! Then he can jump right in to challenging some top contenders. Although I wouldn’t mind them putting together some slug fests right off; Wandi vs Cote, Wandi vs Nate Quarry, Wandi vs Leben(after his suspension). Imo Wandi would be the second man to KO Leben in his carreer, but do it feet planted, toe to toe.

by O damn he got caught on Mar 20, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldnt complain with your scenario!

by john on Mar 20, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

all those match ups seem like great fights o dam,and hopefully he wins them all and fights anderson.

by roy on Mar 20, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah good shout O Dam, like all of those. There are no easy fights in the UFC but there is nothing wrong with Joe Silva putting him in fights where he is expected to win.

Thats the problem the standard is so high that no one can get any momentum (sp) going.

I would pay big money to watch Leben slug it out with Wanderlei!!!!!!

by Nick J on Mar 20, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Franklin’s chin won’t hold up. He’s been KO’d by every brazilian he’s fought.

by NameNotRequired on Mar 20, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

has he really been Ko’ed by every brazilian he has ever fought? what other brazilians has he faced besides Machida and Anderson?

I would think that wanderlei will really look to give Franklin a heavy dose of the Tai clinch. rich has yet to prove that he can defend a legendary Tai clinch…I think Wanderlei’s is going to be even stronger than Andersons. I cant see Rich defending it effectively. As soon as wanderlei clinches his arms around the back of Rich’s head, Rich is going to start having flashbacks, and take a mental beating. He has to have nightmares of the tai clinch, and wanderlei’s should cause him some sleepless nights.

Rich has good footwork, but wandy’s bullrushing style aggression should easily enable Wandy to get close enough and slap that Muy Tai plum around Rich’s neck…that will be the beginning of the end!

by john on Mar 21, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

In all fairness, i think Jardine has had a tougher road.

Jardine past couple of fights.
Forrest
Houston
Chuck
Wanderlie
Vera
Rampage

Wands:
Rampage
Kieth
Jardine

by Adam on Mar 20, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

i meant CHuck, not Kieth

by Adam on Mar 20, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea but Houston shoulda been a gimme, the only challenging thing about it was fighting an unknown. Vera just hasn’t looked good lately; and if you keep back tracking you got Chuck, Dan Henderson, Mirko Cro Cop (HW), Fujita (HW), and Arona (twice). Thats hardcore dude….

by O damn he got caught on Mar 20, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

they both have had a tough road

by roy on Mar 20, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point again O Dam, yeah if you mix in the end of Wands pride days he has had an awfully hard run.

Thats why i agree strongly with your above post that he should be fed a few TUFers to biuld up some steam.

by Nick J on Mar 20, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

No way that Jardine has faced a tougher stretch of opponents than wanderlei:

Arona
Mark Hunt (one of the best fights of all time)
Cro cop
Henderson
Liddell
Jardine
Rampage

There are noi HOuston Alexanders on that list! Just a bunch of world class Animals…Keep in mind he gave up a lot of weight to a few of his opponents….one of my favorite fights of all time was wandy’s destruction of the Ironhead Fujita! that KO was bad ass, and freakin VIOLENT!

by john on Mar 21, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

You forgot,

Henderson
Mark Hunt (who had 80 lbs on Wand)
Cro Cop
Ricardo Arona before that

by The Slovak on Mar 20, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I cant understand any fan of the sport who doesnt ADORE wanderlei! A legendary warrior + a classy person = a fighter I will always be a f an of!

I read an interesting quote from wanderlei about a reason that factored into his loss against Rampage:

“Every fight I’m gonna fight is sold out one month or two months before. My fans know I give my best every time. My fans stay with me every time, and every time, I’m going to give my best.”

“I think this is one reason for I lose my last fight, because… it’s a very nervous fight, because I don’t touch him, he don’t touch me. He give me one jab, I give him one kick, and it’s very nervous. My corner talked to me, it’s one minute to finish the round; I’m thinking, three minutes, we no have action, we don’t have nothing. And the public is starting to boo. The guy not going to come in – I come in. I open my guard, and he got me.”

I knew Rampage would win that fight and I bet a nice amount of change on Rampage, so I am not trying to make excuses for Wanderlei… I do believe that this is a problem for Wanderlei…He is probably the fighter that cares the most about providing his fans with performances that they will enjoy…I love that approach but it cant come in the way of him winning fights. I felt that his desire to please the fans was a problem against Chuck, and I can see how it might have been a problem in the rampage fight.

Wanderlei: you are more than appreciated by every fan of the sport. Dont let us, get in the way of your wins!

by john on Mar 20, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Great post, I pretty much think the same way; really appreciate that he fights for the fans, and fights for the crowd, but I’d rather see him win. I think it doesn’t matter how the fight goes, if Wanderlei wins, it will be an exciting fight; thats just his style.

by O damn he got caught on Mar 20, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Your right John, how can anyone not like Wanderlei, esp after reading something like that.

I haven’t met him but he is meant to be a really nice bloke in person also, just hope he can get back in the W column.

by Nick J on Mar 20, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

thanks…wand really deserves every inch of fan appreciation that he gets and more.

Odamn is right, if wandy wins, its going to be exciting!

by john on Mar 20, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I had the honor of meeting Wand at ufc 76. He was cool as hell. He chatted with all his fans,gave autographs, allowed his picture to be taken(much to the dismay of one of the yellowshirt dudes). Very nice dude unlike Koscheck who seemed aggitated to be there.

by Josh H. on Mar 20, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I just want to see a battle between him and Rich. 2 of my favorite fighters, hard to call a winner, I am just going to be rooting for a good fight.

Think Rich will earn a decision though, due to him being more technically sound.

by WB on Mar 20, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

I’m taking Wanderlei by KO, if the fight goes the distance maybe Rich takes it, but thats assuming Wandi can’t get to him early and hurt him in rd1 or 2, all I know is Rich better stay away from the clinch, if they get in close Ace is going to be taking another beating from some of the most viscious knee’s in all of MMA.

by O damn he got caught on Mar 20, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Mania, why did you remove the Anderson video thread? I spent 10 minutes of that life watching that uneventful video only so I could comment on it, and then read rebuttals from my peers, which leads to a good debate….but then you just erase the entire thread with all our posts.

Dont mean to be pissy, but nothing bothers me more, then info posted that is later removed! I put in time on that thread, and for what? it just vanished!

by john on Mar 20, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

you put in the time to see the vid john, that does sound wicked whiny. I would be frustrated too but complaining about it is not gonna go anywhere. I’m sure there was a reason Mania took it down.

by Crowls on Mar 20, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

if there was a reason to take it down, it shouldnt have been put up in the 1st place! Im grumpy and bitchy today…NO weed = male PMS!

by john on Mar 20, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it sucks when you run out of hippie lettuce on a Friday.

Suck it up big guy, I’m on my way with a QP of Kush for UFC 101.

by Jeremyjackson on Mar 20, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Come on down my friend! Running out is one thing….not being able to find anymore, is damn right FRUSTRATING!

by john on Mar 21, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

so i guess hes admitting he had some easy fights in Pride

by Adam on Mar 20, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

Franklin? The dude is washed up, totally humiliated on worldwide TV. Hell, my little sister could whip his ass.

by Smarg on Mar 20, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

I cant tell if you are being sarcastic or not.

by WB on Mar 20, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s for real. Anderson made him look like a little girl in the ring. He doesn’t know when to quit.

by TJ on Mar 21, 2009 6:28 AM EDT up reply actions

It would be nice to see Wandy chase Rich across the ring while throwing punches. Similiar to what Vitor did to Wandy. I feel Wandy needs to come out on fire to take this one. If it makes it past the first round then it is Rich’s fight.

by CaptainAmerica on Mar 20, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Wandy is such a friggin’ warrior. I’ve gone on ad nauseum about how I feel his skills have diminished, but you’re guaranteed a great show when this dude’s in the cage.

I like Rich but from a fan’s perspective, with the possibility of Silva going on a run at middleweight, I have to root for a Wandy KO here.

by Jeremyjackson on Mar 20, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

i want to see wandy win bad , but i think rich has it
fuck it WAR AXE MURDERERR

and a quote i read

“If you don’t like wanderlei silva, your not a fan of mma”

by Jared on Mar 20, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Wand its gonna win this easy…

by arturo_caap on Mar 20, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

if any fighter has possibly the best highlight reel
its wanderlei no doubt about it
it just sucks he came to ufc this late
i woulda loved to see wand vs randy when they were both top notch at 205

by phenomenal angel on Mar 20, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

Those have to be my 2 favorite fighters of all time, I always think about the grand prix in ’03 where Randy guest commentated with Bas and Damon Perry, and after the Rampage vs Wanderlei fight he was talking about more Pride vs UFC cross overs and taking on Wanderlei. That would have been one to remember.

by O damn he got caught on Mar 20, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

that would have been a bad match up for wandy. I hate Couture, but he would have used his wrestling to keep wandy on his back the entire time…similar to how Arona beat him in the GP….Very happy that the fight NEVER happened!

by john on Mar 21, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Rich by headkick 2nd round…

by mmasmartass on Mar 20, 2009 7:37 PM EDT reply actions

Totally agree with the view that wandi has lost fights due to crowd pleasing, and the same applies to my man chuck! As soon as the boos start these guys step and try and please the fans, unfortunately this suits the more boring fighters and they counter guys like wandi and chuck now!

i hope they can stick to their game plans in the future, thats why im pissed at Dana’a comment to chuck about “he has to dazzle me” WTF!!! its a must win and “dazzle” should have nothing to do with it!! Does he tell other fighters they have to dazzle???? This reminds me a little of the seth petrezelli thing, paid more to stand with kimbo! Chuck should have the right to win his fight in a boring manner if he likes, there are plenty of guys who do it, plus I think chuck has dazzled more than anybody else in the past!!!!!

by mo on Mar 20, 2009 7:45 PM EDT reply actions

WANDY!

by shitleTOT.com on Mar 20, 2009 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

War Wand! Man I really want to see the Pride Wanderlei again. Instead of music he should come into the ring to that pride announcer.

by ognitinoc on Mar 20, 2009 8:40 PM EDT reply actions

Great to hear he’s still posotive and can keep going but maaan the future isnt looks so great right now for wandy and thats the truth he needs some serious wins in the UFC and most important for his career.

by Hispanic Panic on Mar 20, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions

Interesting matchup. Wandy has as good a muay thai clinch as A. Silva, this can look a lot like A. Silva vs. Franklin 1. However, Franklin is a southpaw striker, which can be a problem for anybody. The last time Wandy fought a southpaw striker, he got dominated by Cro Cop. Tough call.

by david on Mar 20, 2009 11:35 PM EDT reply actions