Support NeoGAF

[Heel]

UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman
Date: July 6, 2013
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena


MAIN CARD, 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT on pay-per-view
Anderson Silva (-235) vs. Chris Weidman (+195) for the UFC Middleweight Title
Frankie Edgar (-600) vs. Charles Oliveira (+450)
Roger Gracie (+130) vs. Tim Kennedy (-150)
Tim Boetsch (+110) vs. Mark Munoz (-130)
Dennis Siver (+195) vs. Cub Swanson (-235)

LATE PRELIMS, 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on FX
Andrew Craig (-150) vs. Chris Leben (+130)
Norman Parke (-190) vs. Kazuki Tokudome (+165)
Gabriel Gonzaga (-240) vs. Dave Herman (+200)
Edson Barboza (-550) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (+425)

EARLY PRELIMS, 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT on YouTube.com
Seth Baczynski (-300) vs. Brian Melancon (+250)
David Mitchell (+475) vs. Mike Pierce (-650)


UFC 162: Official Weigh-in
UFC 162: Pre-Fight Press Conference
UFC 162: Pre-Fight Conference Call
UFC 162: Pre-Fight Media Scrum with Dana White
Countdown to UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman
Countdown to UFC 162: Edgar vs. Oliveira
Countdown to UFC 162: Swanson vs. Siver

"The seven-year reign is over. That's genuinely what I feel."

"I believe it's a bad matchup for Anderson Silva. Very bad, style wise. Anderson's weaknesses are Weidman's strengths. I've trained with Weidman and his wrestling is on another level. Not only is Chris Weidman going to beat Anderson Silva, I believe he's going to finish Anderson. I believe it's not going to last too long, this fight. This fight will shock a lot of people. I've trained with Weidman and I know how good he is. He will be the champion. Anderson is smart, though, and is fighting Chris after a long layoff for injury. That's why it is important for Weidman to have a great camp. But if Weidman gets though camp with no problems, he will win this fight."

"Anderson has shown one weakness – he can be controlled on the ground by powerful wrestlers – and Weidman is the most powerful wrestler there is in the division. Everyone is making the comparison to Chael Sonnen, but while Chael controlled Anderson on the ground and landed shots, he couldn't hurt Anderson and that was his undoing. Weidman can hurt Anderson with ground and pound and he can submit Anderson.

"The only way I see Weidman not winning is if he has a macho thing where he has illusions of striking with the best striker in the world. But I think he's too smart for that. I'm not just saying he's got a great shot, I am picking Weidman to win."

"If anyone is going to beat Anderson Silva, and stop this guy retiring with the belt, undefeated in the UFC, for sure it is Chris Weidman. Weidman is the only guy I can point to in the division and go ‘This guy can do it, this guy can beat Anderson'."

"With Weidman, I think he's got a hell of a shot at becoming the new champion. Anderson Silva is the greatest of all time but, believe me; Weidman has a very bad style for him. A nightmare style, really."

"I am always partial to wrestlers, but I honestly think Weidman has the tools to win this fight. Anderson is the greatest of all-time, but Weidman has the blueprint set by Chael Sonnen. It's not like he has to spend a round or two figuring out what he has to do to win. Just follow the game plan that Chael had success with: take Anderson down and pound on him. I think Anderson's takedown defense has improved over the years, but Chris is such a good wrestler he will get the job done. I pick Weidman by decision."

"Weidman has all tools; on paper he can do this. Anderson always seems to find a way to win, but everyone is human, and style wise, I don't like this for Anderson."

"Weidman's grappling is at a very high level. He has some very good submissions. He can put a lock on anyone - any world class grappler. I think he's that good that he can tap anyone, including me or Anderson Silva."

"Anderson doesn't like to start fast but I think in this fight he needs to get going early. Weidman is coming off a long layoff and Anderson should take advantage, jump on him, and go for the first round KO. But if Weidman gets to the later rounds, his wrestling and being so young will take over. I think Weidman has the style and the skills to win this fight and I pick him to win a decision."

 

[Impeccable]

I'm interested in this fight more than any recent Anderson Silva fights.

Going to be fun.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I wonder how much Dana had to pay those fighters to attach their names to made up quotes putting Weidman over?

 

[Into]

I am ready

Btw Meltzer said UFC basically told some people to say Weidman would win in various interviews, in hopes of better selling the fight, as casual fans know very little of Weidman.

Anderson will whoop him, despite Weidmans great wrestling ability.

I wonder how much Dana had to pay those fighters to attach their names to made up quotes putting Weidman over?

Apparently the guys who did what UFC told them were "team players", in the most recent Meltzer/Alvarez observer episode. Thought it was weird myself that half the people said Weidman would win, other half "don't know".

 

[Chamber]

Heel, where are the quotes where we called Weidman the next champ over a year ago?

 

[Plywood]

I would love it if Silver called out GSP after the fight.

Still, I'd love an upset from the Wide man.

 

[GRIP]

I haven't followed MMA for a while and have no idea who Weidman is, but is he a legit contender or just another dude for Anderson to curb stomp?

 

[Into]

I haven't followed MMA for a while and have no idea who Weidman is, but is he a legit contender or just another dude for Anderson to curb stomp?

Good wrestler, does well in practice. But how often have we heard this in the UFC?

Very few people know much of him, one of his most impressive fights happened on Fuel of all places. He did well there, but almost nobody saw it.

 

[Heel]

I am fielding quotes from NeoGAF users for a second press release, Chamber. This one just came over the wire.

Canderson Silver's intricately woven web of lies and deceit turns into cobwebs on Saturday night.

 

[Mobius 1]

Another suicide match.

Hope Weidman is getting a nice paycheck for this.

 

[Impeccable]

I haven't followed MMA for a while and have no idea who Weidman is, but is he a legit contender or just another dude for Anderson to curb stomp?

People will argue ... I personally think he's the most legit contender in terms of skill set in a long while. I wouldn't be excited for this if it was going to be a steamroll.

 

[~Devil Trigger~]

god

 

[dem]

Cmon son

Whos buyin these Weidman wolftickets?

Who did he beat? Mark Munoz? Seriously

Cmon
Who the fuck doesn't beat Mark Munoz?

 

[Maklershed]

The Weidman era begins this weekend.

Also, Boetsch is gonna make Munoz balloon up again.

 

[Into]

Dana said:

If Silva loses, he immediately gets a rematch

If Silva wins, Silva vs. GSP probably

 

[Heel]

Dana said:

If Silva loses, he immediately gets a rematch

He'd have to accept the rematch first, if you know what I mean.

 

[Into]

He'd have to accept the rematch first, if you know what I mean.

Oh yeah!

=P i know what you mean.

 

[agrajag]

Silva by finish first or second round.

 

[TrumanBurbank]

Jon Jones is the real God.

 

[Mobius 1]

Oh yeah!

=P i know what you mean.

Look at that handsome divine creature.

LOOK AT HIM.

 

[Enter The 36 Chambers]

Sliva gonna win. UFC doesnt have the kind of talent to beat him. Silva is on another level

 

[Into]

411mania did a good preview/prediction of the main event, for those of you who may be out of the loop in regards to UFC or just want some MMA material to read:

http://www.411mania.com/MMA/columns/289611

They present good arguments

 

[Chamber]

I haven't followed MMA for a while and have no idea who Weidman is, but is he a legit contender or just another dude for Anderson to curb stomp?

He's as good of a prospect at 185 as Cain Velasquez was at Heavyweight. Whether that's enough to beat Canderson remains to be seen.

Dana said:

If Silva loses, he immediately gets a rematch

If Silva wins, Silva vs. GSP probably

Can Dana stop with this BS? Silver/GSP is not happening.

 

[ty_hot]

Its funny how people want to make him the bast or the worst at all cost.

He is the biggets UFC fighter in history, losing tomorrow wont change that. Jon Jones is doing a great job and have the hability to get even better results than him, but until that happens, AS is the best ever in UFC.

Also, as soon as SIlva put his hands down the referee can stop the fight and igve him the belt again, thats what happens when he is relaxed and start to predict 110% of the oponent movements.

 

[Heel]

Plain and simple, Anderson just ran into someone at middleweight that can actually match him in height and size, has a longer reach, is the best wrestler he ever faced, the best BJJ player he's faced since The Michael Jordan of BJJ Travis Lutter, and unlike Chael has stopping power. This is no hype job. It is the worst match-up stylistically for Anderson in his class.

 

[Into]

Silva decided to rile up UFC, GSP and Jon Jones fans in a recent interview with MMA Junkie:

Anderson Silva: Boxing Roy Jones Jr. means more than GSP or Jon Jones superfight

Can Dana stop with this BS? Silver/GSP is not happening.

And Dana already planing ahead:

If it's the latter, things could get interesting. UFC President Dana White has already said that if Silva loses to Weidman, he'll get an immediate rematch. But if victorious, we could see a cross-division superfight with someone like welterweight St-Pierre or light heavyweight Jon Jones, who are both booked for fall title fights.

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/...r-means-more-than-gsp-or-jon-jones-superfight

 

[iddqd]

I'm exited.
No UFC in 3 weeks, a German guy on the card, a champion vs. the real number one contender...

There are some possible go-out-and-grab-a-beer hump fests (Boetch/Munoz, Gracie/Kennedy if they keep it standing) but the overall card is super solid.

HOORAY!

 

[Norml]

Silva will end it in round 1with his knees again.

 

[JB1981]

Best of luck, Frankie!

 

[Alebelly]

I give Weidman a slim chance, but the old cliche saying of 'anything can happen' is always a factor

My Mom, who is 61, watches all of Anderson's fights with me and my brother, he's too damn sexy not to watch, apparently

 

[Chamber]

Silva will end it in round 1with his knees again.

Silver will be on his back for 5 rounds unless he gets subbed, playboy.

 

[alr1ght]

I feel like we've heard these same arguments before...

 

[Heel]

Silver will be on his back for 5 rounds unless he gets subbed, playboy.

Well ya see, his hibs were hurt...and, uh...

 

[Chamber]

I feel like we've heard these same arguments before...

Unless Weidman gets the sudden urge to do a pirouette during the fight, this W is in the bag.

 

[Vio-Lence]

Uncle dana: Who is Joe whiteman and why should I pay 60 bucks for this?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Hopefully Siver bodies Cub Swanson with a kick.

 

[Batigol]

Is it good or bad that Silva is this good?

From a casual standpoint

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Is it good or bad that Silva is this good?

From a casual standpoint

he's not that good. He's a can who padded his resume with an easy string of fights.

 

[Heel]

You should watch to see people thinking Anderson is an unstoppable demigod to "well, he's old..." within a 25 minute span. This is going to be absolutely fascinating.

 

[Into]

Uncle dana: Who is Joe whiteman and why should I pay 60 bucks for this?

Uncle Dana realized that this would be a harder fight to sell, since almost no one except the very hardcore fans know of Wademan, so he got a bunch of former and current UFC fighters to play "ball" and say in front of a camera that they believe Weedeman would win.

Basically order this PPV because HISTORY will happen, belts will change!

(note i do think Weidman has a chance to win, but it is fairly obvious what UFC is trying to do here)

 

[FACE]

Weidman's grappling is at a very high level. He has some very good submissions. He can put a lock on anyone - any world class grappler. I think he's that good that he can tap anyone, including me or Anderson Silva.

Yeah, right.

 

[Vio-Lence]

If this whiteman wins does he or father time deserve credit for the win?

 

[FACE]

I'm hoping for a double KO.

 

[thefro]

Weidman's beaten both Ryan Bader and Phil Davis in amateur wrestling. He went and competed at ADCC after only one year of BJJ training.

His grappling is on a whole other level above anyone else Canderson has ever seen.

 

[Enter The 36 Chambers]

If this whiteman wins does he or father time deserve credit for the win?

Stop

 

[TunaMarshmallow]

It's worth pointing out that an enormous percentage of the people picking Weidman fall into one of two categories:
(a) connected to Renzo Gracie
(b) wrestler

People like GSP, Roger Gracie, Frankie Edgar, etc., are all students of Renzo Gracie. Renzo Gracie does not like Anderson Silva, and Renzo Gracie is Chris Weidman's BJJ coach. Even someone like Rashad Evans is connected to Renzo, because he's has his no-gi black belt from Rolles Gracie (who is a student of Renzo).

And, of course, we should not be surprised that wrestlers like Maynard, Kennedy, Sonnen, etc., are picking the wrestler.

Anyway, I'm not discounting Weidman. I think he's great. But this all-of-the-pros-are-picking-Weidman thing has an explanation.

**Edited to Add**
For people who like the conspiracy-theory angle ("The UFC is trying to pump the numbers!"), let's not forget the close Renzo-Zuffa connection. After all, Renzo is the fucker who connected Zuffa with the Abu Dhabi dudes who bought 10% of the company at an inflated price and saved the Station Casinos!

 

[Takuan]

Why is Swanson favored over Siver?

 

[Vio-Lence]

Stop

Is a 38 or 39 year old fighter in his prime? Yes or not?

 

[Norml]

Silver will be on his back for 5 rounds unless he gets subbed, playboy.

If does end up in that position,Silva will still do more damage!!

 

[alr1ght]

Why is Swanson favored over Siver?

Because.

He's fought better competition recently. It's not a huge gap though.