yep, Silva's moving up to LHW to take on James Irvin on a free UFC card live on Spike TV. What's the point of a free card just 2 weeks after UFC 86? well its the same day as the Affliction card. Dana White you sly S.O.B http://mmajunkie.com/news/4588/anderson-silva-vs-james-irvin-to-headline-july-19-ufc-event.mma
There are 2 things that bug me about this. First, if Silva, pound for pound one of the best fighters on the world, is moving the LHW (his walking weight might I add), he should be fighting someone of a little higher category then James Irving. Tho I wouldn't mind seeing Irving get destroyed. Secondly, the ONLY reason the UFC wanted to grace us with this historic match on such short notice, is that they want to disrupt the debut of the card all true MMA fans should be watching, which would be the Affliction event that same night. While Dana White is crafty in doing this, it will have a negative effect for the sport as a whole. Think of it in terms of soccer. Isn't it nice to be able to see world class players and teams from all around the world? Its possible because there are many top leagues that allow for this. If the only show in town is the UFC, they can't possibly have enough PPV events for fans to actually dish out 50 bones for each time and see all the best in MMA. Which is what having successful orgs in Japan and the US, outside of the UFC, is important for fans and the well being of the sport. I am going to watch the PPV and tivo the UFC fight, which is what all true MMA fans should be doing. Besides the Afflication event will have one of the best HW cards ever, I mean Fedor, Silvia, Barnett, Arlovski, Rizzo, the other Emelianenko, and Rothwell (about time we see him fighting top competition). Sorry bout the rant btw
props to Irving for taking the fight, I wonder if he knows that Anderson trains with bigger dudes than him (Noguera brothers). oh well. I want spider vs. chuck next...then spider vs. rampage for the unification.
I see your point, but when it comes down to it, MMA is a business, and Affliction is competition for UFC. So, UFC brings out a match that people want to see. It's how business works. You run a hot casino in Vegas and someone opens up next door to try and steal your thunder? Steal the thunder right back. -- And I also see your point about Fedor - he was the man in Pride - but I also have no desire to ever watch Tim Sylvia fight again. Dude sucks the life out of fights. If Fedor still looks the part, I'll give some thought to the next Affliction show.
HW fights tend to bore me to no end anyway so I really couldn't care less who wins in that Afliction show. Well maybe I'd like to see fedor get KTFO just so all his fanboys would be shut up for 2 seconds. He is a great fighter but I can't stand the mancrush so many people seem to have for him.
Out of all the fighters that have fanboys, Fedor is the only one that has earn them. He's still the BEST p4p fighter in the world even though hes been a bit inactive in the last 2 years. Their hasen't been a fighter that has just mopped up a division like Fedor did when Pride HW division was at its peak. He was dominant and continues to be dominant. As for Anderson Silva moving to LHW, this is a interesting move on his part. I think he will do great but he has to put on some power. His big problem back in Pride was the inability to capitalize on striking. He has the reach advantage but lacks the power to put some hurt on. Either way im glad hes moving out of the MW division cause its really weak. I know UFC and Dana fanboys love to hype their product but I just didin't find anything impressive about Silva mopping up a terrible division. I Hope he does well in LHW cause it will only setup monster fights for the future. btw since when is Spike TV FREE TV??