Vitor Belfort vs Anderson Silva UFC 108?

**Fighting Cephalopod** · Posted On: 9/28/2009 12:28pm

Belfort is either going to blow Silva out early, or fold like he always does when he doesn't blow someone out early.

**Conde Koma** · Posted On: 9/28/2009 12:51pm

It may be just me, but I feel like I haven't seen Silva lay the plum on someone in a long time. After the second Franklin fight, it's like he's changed from a strong MT-clinch fighter into the Matrix outfighter we see today. Is it that he just doesn't have to engage in the clinch, or that he now prefers to engage from the outside?

**Shawarma** · Posted On: 9/28/2009 12:52pm

It may be that he realises he is a far better boxer than most of the guys he faces so he can capitalise on that kind of tactic. Against Belfort, who is known for blazin' hands, you might see Silva try to MT it up a bit more.

**selfcritical** · Posted On: 9/28/2009 12:57pm

Originally Posted by Shawarma

It may be that he realises he is a far better boxer than most of the guys he faces so he can capitalise on that kind of tactic. Against Belfort, who is known for blazin' hands, you might see Silva try to MT it up a bit more.

And a far worse wrestler. Pluming on Hendo, Okami, or Marquardt doesn't make a lot of sense.

**Conde Koma** · Posted On: 9/28/2009 1:01pm

But what about Cote or Leites? Neither are really good wrestlers, and during both fights I felt like Silva could have clinched up with them to go for an early finish.

**Draven** · Posted On: 9/28/2009 1:15pm

He didnt want to clinch up with Leites and give Leites a chance of jumping guard and catching him with something.

**FictionPimp** · Posted On: 9/28/2009 1:17pm

Originally Posted by Conde Koma

But what about Cote or Leites? Neither are really good wrestlers, and during both fights I felt like Silva could have clinched up with them to go for an early finish.

Maybe he's just trying to make it harder for himself because he is bored.

**selfcritical** · Posted On: 9/28/2009 1:47pm

Originally Posted by Conde Koma

But what about Cote or Leites? Neither are really good wrestlers, and during both fights I felt like Silva could have clinched up with them to go for an early finish.

Leites could pull guard and Cote KTFO the last guy who had plum'd up on him because he throws hardest in the pocket. Anderson Silva is relatively clever.

**Conde Koma** · Posted On: 10/02/2009 10:51pm

Looks like they're bringing in Thiago Silva to take Rampage's place for 108.
That, plus Wand and Akiyama, J.Lau vs Stout... this is gonna be a great card.

http://middleeasy.com/index.php?opti...article&id=745

**lucistius** · Posted On: 10/05/2009 2:39pm

Lately it has seemed like Silva is more concerned with maintaining his streak for the sake of the streak. He is a smart fighter but for a while he was more content to hang back and win on points than try to finish his opponent. After he toyed with Griffin like he did, maybe we'll see the old Silva in his next fight. He used to be able to get a crowd going.