SB Nation - Login for mobile commenting

Bloody Elbow

Anderson Silva Says He Won't Fight Jon Jones, Thinks Chael Sonnen Is Bad For The Sport

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Getty Images - Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

It is no secret that Anderson Silva's days in MMA are numbered. He is getting older and we hear chatter from him and his camp constantly that he'll be out of the sport in a handful of fights. Anderson has been on the shelf since his dominating August victory over Yushin Okami but is supposed to face long-time rival Chael Sonnen after Sonnen's win over Michael Bisping at UFC on Fox 2.

In a recent interview with UOL Esportes, Silva talked about Sonnen and many other topics (transcription by Orcus).

On Sonnen:

A lot of people who hears the crap he says end up thinking; "I don't like MMA, it's a joke." What he does only hurts the sport in general. That's never good. We are in a good phase with MMA and we have to capitalize on it. It looks like Chael doesn't understand that, all he wants is for people to get angry.

On getting older:

I’m no longer the same, everything hurts and it takes much longer for me to recover (from injuries).

More after the jump including Silva discussing a desire to fight GSP and never wanting to fight Jon Jones...

Star-divide

On a potential superfight with Georges St. Pierre:

GSP is very educated and I like him a lot. A fight against him would be very, very, very big and this could actually happen.

On fighting Jon Jones:

I don't plan on moving up in weight anymore. He's in a different weight (class). I train with bigger guys, such as Lyoto Machida and Big Nog and I know how complicated it is. ...Every time I see Jones I tell him to keep focus, because if he does that, there's no opponent for him. He's better than everyone. He'd have a lot of advantages (over me), he's much younger and it wouldn't be something interesting (for me).

I can't blame Silva for not wanting to go up and fight a huge, young light heavyweight when he already feels he is getting older. It's not exactly a good career choice for him to make as he heads down the final stretch. The much safer option for a superfight is obviously St. Pierre.

0 recs  |  171 comments

Comments

Humbleson Silva's admission there at the end made me frown

But at least he’s honest about it.

He's been honest about it for a while.

And I don’t blame him. People always talk about how big of a middleweight he is, and how it’s somehow “unfair” that he’s so big, but Anderson honestly isn’t even that big for a 185’er. Belcher is just as tall as Anderson, and is WAY thicker with muscle.

Also, Anderson used to fight at 170, and fought in a 175 lb tourney (RotR) not long before he entered the UFC.

Disappointing that he'd rather fight the much smaller GSP.

Bones is a much more interesting fight for Silva. They size up much better.

Silva doesn't want to fight Jones, but he'll fight the smaller GSP and no one gives him flack.

GSP doesn’t want to fight the much bigger Silva, and everyone gives him shit. Fans are amusing.

This is because

GSP has been exposed.

So I've been told.
ha

in all seriousness, i am way more intersted in Silva/GSP than Jones/Silva. But so what – we’ll never get either. i guess that is not the end of the world. even if silva did fight gsp, or jones did fight silva, the bigger guy would probably just win and we woudln’t really settle the issue of who is better “pound for pound”. too bad though. super fights are fun.

I don't really want to see those fights.

If they happen fine, I’ll watch and be as fucking excited as everybody. But I’m fine with champs dominating their respective weightclasses.

yeah

condit and ellenberger took out guys in 1 round that GSP couldn’t finish.

sonnen is a great fight for silva (despite that he’s a cheating douche).

in a year even more new challengers may emerge.

if the super fights happen, great. if not, whatever. i still like to watch fights.

The only one I'd really like to see at some point if both keep winning is Edgar-Aldo.
I'd like to see this too

I don’t think he’s getting past Bendo tho. Those severe first round ass beatings he’s taken are going to catch up with him soon if they haven’t already. I know he came back and KOed Maynard but your punch card only has so much room on it.

I have Edgar in that one.
I know he's had great comebacks

I just can’t see him surviving that again. Not sure if Bendo will put the hurt on him the same way Maynard has. I can’t pick for a guy that takes that much damage and is borderline (T)KOed in that way multiple times. If it happens in a later round than the first, he’ll go out because of it.

I'm not sure Bendo catches him standing.
It is going to be a good fight! That's what I'm hoping for!
I'm a huge Edgar fan, I'm pumped for this!

It’s gonna be awesome.

A lot of the luster for GSP vs Silva was from a lack of compelling fights in their own division. Most people figured GSP would be fighting Fitch, Pitbull, Shields and Kos all over again. That has changed. The WW landscape is completely and there are a wealth of new challengers for GSP. At 185, a Sonnen rematch is compelling and now even Bisping looks like a viable, or at least credible, contender, especially for a fight in England. Hell, do 60k in Wembley Stadium.

The size difference between Jones & Silva is MUCH bigger than that between Anderson & GSP.

GSP is a HULKING welterweight, he’s fucking BIG for that division, and is probably 190+ lbs on fight night. Anderson is a very lanky middleweight, and probably doesn’t walk into the cage over 200 lbs.

Whereas Jones is a pretty damn big LHW, probably fights at 225+ lbs.

I bet Anderson would be down to meet Georges in the middle (177.5), or at least at 180 lbs. The guy weighed in for the Leites fight at 182.

GSP is a HULKING welterweight, he’s fucking BIG for that division

Cmon man that has been proven false many times already. He was dwarfed by Hardy ffs

Dwarved by Hardy?

Multiple angles, not seeing that Georges is dwarved at all. Sure, Hardy was a little taller, but GSP is THICK.

Fact: Anderson Silva is much bigger than GSP

Anderson Silva’s walk around weight by his own admission is 220 – 230 pounds, GSP’s walk around weight is 190 -193. And GSP has purposely packed on muscle to his smaller frame in order to keep up with the huge WW’s in his division.

No difference? 190 vs 225?

Silva is at least 2 inches taller than GSP and his reach is almost two inches greater.

Silva is clearly much bigger than GSP in height, reach, and body mass.

Jon Jones has a much longer reach than AS and is 2 inches taller—however, their walk around weights are not much different. Jones probably maintains a leaner body mass while not fighting than Silva. Silva may not match up to Jones that well, but he matches up well in height, reach and weight to most other fighters fighting at LHW.

GSP, on the other hand, would be a small MW compared to most of the MW’s in the division.

As one poster above accurately stated—GSP gets the gears for not jumping up weight classes to fight AS, but AS seems to get no flack for the same.

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f2/anderson-silva-normal-walking-around-weight-220-230lbs-1537001/

I really love the honesty from him.

He has been one of my favorite fighters for such a long time and it’s good to see him being honest about his age and things hurting. That’s great to see.

Me too

It’s also sad to see him admit that he’s getting older.

At least he knows it.

A lot of fighters refuse to acknowledge it. Guys like him who’s fighting is highly based on their quick reaction time, speed and accuracy can see those skills drop off dramatically sometimes, seemingly overnight in some cases. Silva probably wants to go out on top, which is good for him.

He’s been talking about retiring for a long time.

no real reason to fight Jones

That’s a very dangerous fight for him and how sad would it be that he’s built up such a great aura but that one of the last memories of him would be getting smashed by Jones.

He could win that fight for sure, but he’s got a lot to lose.

Doesn't Matter what He Says Really

Maybe jones could but off an arm and make middle weight

Then Anderson could gouge out his eyes

and it would be like “Master of the Flying Guillotine”. But I guess Anderson would need that hat.

Andy certainly has the right

to say what he likes, as he has earned the number one contendership ranking for Chael’s middleweight championship belt. It’s good hype for their eventual rematch.

But seriously, I share his dismay at how aging affects one’s physical form. You spend all this time training your body, spirit, and mind, and then the damn temple starts breaking down on you. I agree with his outlook on the fights – I think Jones is simply too much for him, whereas GSP would be a “better” fight. Sure, he’s naturally bigger than GSP, but GSP’s wrestling may be able to keep him from being destroyed standing up. I’d pay to watch that fight.

Royce Gracie had no problem fighting guys that were 20 lbs heavier

Crappy heavyweights do it all the time.

Too bad Silva’s scared, would be a good fight

Minowaman can do it, so should Anderson!

Your reasoning is flawless!

That’s why I always say every single UFC champ but Cigano and Edgar are pussies.

I can't say I agree with you , but I think you are trying to be facetious

I’ll bite anyway…
None of them are pussies, they fight for a living. Most other champions have haven’t cleared out their division, so it doesn’t make sense for them to fight the champion 1 class higher. Silva has already fought a couple fights at 205 so the weight doesn’t seem like it is an issue.

We’re talking about the #1 fighter on the planet based on pretty much everyone’s rankings not being able to overcome 20 lbs. I just think that it is kinda weak for Anderson to not want a challenge because he thinks he is at a disadvantage.

Uh, have you not seen Jon Jones?

It’s more than just 20 pounds to overcome. It’s 20 pounds on top of an unreal core strength and massive reach advantage. Jones’ skeletal frame is comparable to Lennox Lewis.

Lennox. Fucking. Lewis.

Going to 205 to fight Jon Jones isn't the same thing as fightng James Irvin and Forrest Griffin.
Jones isn't any bigger or stronger than Griffin

He’s got reach, but so do Kendall Grove, Stefan Struve, hell even George Roop has a reach advantage in 145. Reach clearly isn’t everything.

The difference is the skill and that’s what Silva is afraid of. I just think the #1 P4P fighter in the world should consider taking the challenge

AS probably did some MMA math. I’m pretty sure he saw what happened to Machida (including ridiculous recovery time). My guess is that Machida probably gives Anderson problems while sparring.

Not bigger but a far better athlete.

I think superfights are cool and f they happen I’ll watch them and be excited but we have weightclasses for a reason and I’m fine with Champ staying in their weightclasses. You can’t move up in weight in MMA as easily as in boxing.

Agreed.

Pretty weak of what everyone claims to the best fighter on the planet to basically come out and say he’d love to face the champion in the weight class below him but is scared of and thinks he’d lose to the guy in the weight class above him.

Funny also to see how who’s big and who’s small in the different weight classes seems to change every time it’s discussed. I’m pretty sure Rogan has said on numerous occasions that Silva is huge for a mw and I’ve frequently heard it thrown around that he walks around at like 215-220 pounds.

That's a myth.

Anderson is NOT huge for middleweight. Take this into consideration:

Silva is 6’2, used to fight at 170 & 175, weighed in at 182 for Leites:

Belcher is also 6’2, 185:

Belcher is the same height, and his legs are probably twice as thick as Anderson’s.

Context:

What is it?

feel free to add more...
I think what he meant is that the guys Royce fought 20 years ago aren't exactly Jon Bones Jones.
I think that is what he meant as well

but that was only half of the post. The HW division has a large weight range and plenty of fights have 2 fighters with a 20+ lb weight difference.

Like I said above, I just think the #1 p4p fighter in the world should try to challenge himself as he clearly isnt being challenged in the MW division

You can't compare the skill level of HW and LHW.
Precisely.

Bones vs. Spider =/= to Royce fighting fat losers 20 years ago OR crappy heavyweights fighting other crappy heavyweights. To compare them in any way is pointless.

I'd also like to point out a bit of irony.

In your sig you state, “No, your dumb.” That version of “your” is posessive. You mean to say “you’re dumb,” as in: “you are dumb.”

that's the joke...
I thought you were..

the joke

Genius!!

Here all week folks

Tip your waitresses

I never said they were =

The comparison was made because in both situations the smaller fighter was arguably the more skilled fighter. If you think that analogy is pointless, good for you

Ya know, there's a reason they fight those guys

They’re in the same weight class. They have to do that. Bc… they’re in the same weight class. With the difference being, Anderson isn’t in Bones’ weight class. Do you see the difference there?

ugh...you're still here?

Yes. I understand weight classes. They’re great. The sport is much better with them.

Anderson also isn’t in Forrest Griffins weight class and James Irvin’s weight class. Do you see that?

Look, I’m not going nuts saying Silva has to fight Jones. It’s just a fight that I, and many other reasonable MMA fans, would like to see. And I will stress what I said in the post you responded to:
“I just think the #1 p4p fighter in the world should try to challenge himself as he clearly isnt being challenged in the MW division”

If you don't want rebuttal you shouldn't post anything

And…as you pointed out. He did challenge himself in LHW. Now he’s too old.

Agree with this.

Can’t take the challenge because he’s scared about his “legacy” or whatever? that’s just weak imo. Royce did it, not only against bigger guys, but also later in his career against Hughes. Ya, he got a beatdown, but nobody gives a shit, he’s still a legend. Same with Chuck and his multiple KO losses, nobody cares about them, and still a legend. Sakuraba, Tito, Wand, etc. Getting a beatdown was not a concern for these dudes, because they believed they could win any fight.

I get the weight class argument, and don’t dispute it would be a huge uphill battle for Silva. Fighting and losing to Jones would mean many things, but it wouldn’t be some kind of “black eye” for him either. He’d be expected to get stomped by Jones anyways. Imagine if he pulled off a victory, he would not be the greatest middleweight of all time, he would be the greatest of all time, period, imo.

Are you seriously using Royce in this?

I love Sakuraba, aut I’m legitimately worried for his health this days. We have weight classes for a reason. Sakuraba’s awesome and one of my all time favorites but he’s a good exemple of why you should fight at your weight.

Jones has contenders waiting for a shot at lhw.

GSP made more more sense before but by the time hes back from knee problems he has a bunch of guys waiting as well. I don’t see either fight ever happening. If it does Silva will be like 40+ and i’d hate to see him lose a fight because hes old and slow.

-Jones would trip takedown Anderson without trying and bust him up on the ground for an eventual stoppage. There’s no point in that fight.

-Chael got Anderson a few hundred thousand more PPVs than he would’ve had, he should be thankful.

Thankful for all the xenophobic attacks?

Thankful for Chael’s juicing? Thankful for his over the top, pro wrestling antics? Thankful for Chael showing him zero respect, ever?

Nah man. Anderson is a champion, he doesn’t have to thank anyone he doesn’t want to. And really, if he should be thanking any challenger, it’s Vitor, who REALLY launched him into the Brazilian public eye, and got him all the sweet endorsements he’s been rocking lately. Hell, the KO over Okami in Rio did way more for Anderson than the win over Chael did. Beating Chael got Anderson back into the American fan’s graces, but that really isn’t where his money is. His money is in Brazil.

I respect his honesty here. Jones would get him down, and break his face with elbows. As a fan of Silva, I don’t feel the need to see that in the later stages of his career. He’s got a few decent fights left at middleweight, let him do his thing there and retire on top

Anderson is wise.

He probably has a decent chance of beating Jones.

The thing is, for all of his KOs and TKO victories, Anderson is not a power-striker. He KOs people with accuracy and timing. We all hear how power is the last thing to go for fighters as they get older, well, with Anderson’s game being dependent on exploiting brief openings to land accurate shots, even a small drop-off in his reflexes means that he won’t hit as cleanly and what would have been a KO before won’t be anymore. I don’t particularly want the tail-end of Silva’s career to become Lidell-esque.

Also, Anderson is a good-size MW (the 220 walk around weight figure sometimes given is when he is out of training and fat, not his rehydrated fighting weight), but Jon Jones is a huuuge light heavy, who could probably fight at heavyweight at 240 after maybe just 10 months of eating, power-lifting and plyometrics.

For the same reason, a GSP-Silva fight is never going to happen. GSP isn’t big even for a WW, and the added muscle mass he’s tried to put on in preparation for a maybe-move to MW has made him look slower without really adding to his power.

good points

Indeed.

At this point in the game Jones would murder Anderson.

Jones is on his way to becoming the best fighter of all time. Anderson is getting older, I don’t see why people want to see this fight so bad because I don’t even think it will be close. Jones would throw Anderson down and elbow the shit out of him.

he doesnt want to fight only because of the ground game.

Silva is a much better striker then Jones (unless he has slowed down a lot since the okami fight).

Oh gees hide yo kids before IKilled007 pops up in here

didn't he get banarama'd?

Oh for what?

Something in the great Nick Diaz banning of '12
Seriously?

I was wondering where he was.

Seems to me that Chael took Anderson Silvia’s soul in that first fight and all competitiveness has been vacated…

did you watch the vitor fight? because if you did then your comment makes no sense

Now you have to repeat it on my double troll post!

Did you see his fight with Okami?

You must not have to say something silly like that.

You mad?

Seems to me that Chael took Anderson Silvia’s soul in that first fight and all competitiveness has been vacated…

I don’t know if you’re trolling but . . . .

Almost every time this guy wins or beat a guy that “can” or “has the tools” to beat him, fans come up with some oddball thoughts about Silva’s

  • inability to finish a fight
  • how his speed, and reflexes will decline just like his boxing hero Roy Jones Jr.
  • lost his killer instinct
  • Lost his soul and competitiveness
  • oh yeah, how he’s continuously ducking Sonnen, Henderson, Jones, etc.

The funniest of those is ducking Sonnen and Henderson. Henderson moreso, because he choked Hendo the fuck out.

Yeah I’m just having fun, but I seriously will take Chael by UD

UD? huhh . . .

Call me nuts, but I think Silva will finish Sonnen some where between the 3rd or the 5th.

Then again, I won’t be surprised if he loses, because it sounds like his injuries are stacking up against him. BUT A 100% Silav will cream Sonnen.

I'm with you on this

The first round will look like their last fight, Sonnen won’t be TRTed out of skull and will start missing those TDs the later it gets. Anderson will land on him like he did on Okami and Forrest and drop him a few times, let him get up, rinse repeat. I think Anderson is actually pretty irritated with Chael and wants to prove a point this time around.

Your Majesty, Lord SoilWorker . . .

Anderson Silva is secretly training with Jon Jones to improve his wrestling and watch crazy YouTube fight videos to find develop a new-entertaining way to finish the fight.

I should probably put the quotes on that and cite the reference haha

What would be funnier, I wouldn’t find it particularly exciting, is if Anderson won a decision over Chael by turning it into a wrestling match.

I’m hoping he steps up on Chaels upper leg, springs off it to do a back flip and connects with a Blade Kick – Guile from Street Fighter style

Pass me whatever you're smoking

No good for the voice my man

I'll put it into my vape

Another ‘bad for the sport’ argument. I disapprove.

Sure Anderson...

Nobody wants to hear Sonnen promote a fight and would rather listen to you instead right? Oh wait, you don’t promote a fight. Sonnen basically carried the promo of your 4 1/2 round beating and you are lucky you benefited from the PPV bonus you had in your contract. Why would a fan hate MMA because of what he says? I wish there was a different middleweight champ who actually took time to promote the division and the sport.

His fighting does the talking, he is easily one of the most recognizable faces/names in the sport, and he is undefeated in the octagon, he doesn’t need a fucking gimmick to sell fights. Chael hides behind his WWF promo bullshit because that’s all he has. I personally find his shtick annoying, and I don’t see how it’s good for the sport at all. Sure, it gets people talking but not for the right reasons. The fans he draws in are the same fans who boo as soon as a fight hits the ground or they clinch up against the cage for a few seconds.

I'm not sure if you're serious.
  • Silva promotes all of his fights with his highlight reel finishes . . . and well his dancing.
  • He’s lucky he benefits from a PPV cut in his contract? Luck? Ok, sure.
  • Promote the division? and the sport? Are you familiar with Anderson Silva’s recent exploits in Brazil? and some of his in the States. Do you know he’s the 1st MMA fighter to do a PR meet & greet with the President (of Brazil)? Uhmmm . . . did you see the cover of the new UFC video game? Uhmmm . . . the occasional seminars he conducts worldwide? the indie flim “Like Water” that covered the pre-fight hype versus Sonnen?

I’ll give you this:
What Silva doesn’t probably realize is that many MMA fans are entertained by Sonnen. He doesn’t get that.

This is such a loser's mentality.

BQ. 4 1/2 round beating

Yes, celebrate Chael for his “moral victory” aka… losing. Only losers brag on that time they “almost” won.

List of fighters praised for "winning but losing against Anderson Silva
  • Travis Lutter = he clearly won the 1st round.
  • Dan Henderson = dominate Silva in the 1st round.
  • Demian Maia = Silva couldn’t finish him
  • Chael Sonnen = well . . . he did “beat” him for 4.5 rounds.

Currently behind-the-scenes, where all the whispers, rumors and back-door deals are being made, Anderson Silva is still ducking Henderson and Sonnen.

Silva's got it wrong.

Chael’s trash talk is actually pretty good for the sport. It gets people fired up and interested in his matches. What’s bad for the sport is his cheating and money laundering.

Okay, just kind of throwing this out there

But when the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world doesn’t want to fight you, doesn’t that say something?

I mean, yes, being realistic, it’s still a 37(or 36 still?) year old facing a 24 year old…with a bigger reach, at a higher weight class etc etc

But considering he’s gone up in weight twice before, and now says he is done with that…I mean…that’s a pretty big deal.

He’s been saying he’s done with that for a long tine now

Jones is the most feared man in the sport

He and Aldo are really the current P4P best right now. Anderson and GSP are the All-Time greats. Big difference

I don’t think Bill Russel or Mike Jordan could beat Kobe or Lebron in basketball today.

I have no idea how that’s relevant to what I just said. That said, I’d favor Silva against Jones in that fight.

Not disagreeing with you. Just adding to the conversation

Relax dude

No worries. The comment just confused me as a response to what I said.
Bill Russell + Michael Jordan = (11 + 6)

Kobe Bryant + Lebron James = 5

Bill Russell = player/coach. Rules were changed because of his game. Bill Russell didn’t bother with 3-peats. Rebounds anyone?
Michael Jordan = player/owner. With the exception of Bill Russell, many NBA players consider him the best. Personally I think Oscar Robertson was an exceptional player. Note, MJ received the Oscar Robertson trophy in college. 10x Scoring King.

Kobe Bryant = the Black Mamba, Mr. Killer 40+ points a night. He has one 3-peat.
Lebron James = well . . . he made it to the championship games. That counts right? Before we seriously talk about Lebron James, let’s allow him to have a career.

Basketball = team sport
MMA = individual

Word. All thats true

But not really my point. My point GOAT =/= P4P. Anderson is imo the GOAT, but currently imo JBJ or Jose Aldo are the P4P.

Just having fun with the Basketball end.

Personally I think P4P is a waste but right now . . .

1. Anderson Silva & GSP
2. Aldo
3. Jon Jones.

Why did I put Jones at #3?
Sure he’s hot sh*t right now. He owned 2011, no doubt. But at the end of the day, the numbers talk. Day in, day out. Anderson Silva and GSP are still standing. Yes, Silva is getting older, probably past his prime, etc. but these guys have something that Jones simply does not. Numbers. Years. A loooooong proven track record.

There will always be a hot, new flavor to talk about, analyze, discuss, and praise as the P4P for the moment. I just got to respect the elders (Silva & GSP) because they’ve been part of this discussion since 2006/7.

With that said . . . Jones outclassed Shogun, Rampage and Machida. I’m still shocked about the Shogun fight. If Jones is still the champion around 2014 . . . then well yeah . . . He’s well the best of the best at 205lbs. But if Anderson Silva (is still fighting AND still champion) or if GSP is still champion then I would just consider those guys on another level.

Yeah, longevity is key

But man, the names that Bones beat. Rampage, Shogun, Machida…that streak is literally unbelievable. No one has ever beat big names like that, in a row, and basically all flawless victories…its unreal.

Yeah, those victories are freaking historic and Mortal Kombat style-flawless victories but . . .

You gottat remember when Shogun was the KING of KINGS at the same age beating the best-of-the-best-of-the-best in PRIDE.

Of course, I think a lot of people see it coming

Jones is going to have a down part of his career. Every human being does. He’ll have a 2-3 fight losing streak at some point, and at that point will truly become an adult. Right now, professionally, he’s at a point where he truly doesn’t believe he can lose. Thats a dangerous mentality. I see him leaving Jacksons at some point for “holding him back”, letting his ego grow substantially, losing his GF, etc. etc. It will happen

"Mr. Killer 40+ points a night"

Not to be a statistical douche but, Kobe’s career average is 25ppg.

I feel you. I love numbers, metrics, stats and all that crap.

I was referring to that crazy year when Kobe was going crazy at the basket.

In the 2002–03 season, Bryant averaged 30 points per game and embarked on a historic run, posting 40 or more points in nine consecutive games while averaging 40.6 in the entire month of February.

From Wikipedia:
That was bananas. That night-in, night out performance was legendary.

I also thought his Olympic performance was pretty good.

As a Laker fan since 1996 (year Kobe was drafted)

That year was soooo bitter sweet. That 2-4 year span when Kobe was in his absolute prime. His team fucking sucked, and Steve fucking Nash won the MVP two years in a row. Still pisses me off…

Yeah, that was an odd year.

But you gotta remember, Kobe didn’t believe in his squad and was kind of selfish. It was definitely clear that Kobe wanted (and still wants) to win more than his teammates.

I really am not much of a NBA fan anymore

but if I’m flipping through channels and Kobe’s playing I’ll stop and watch.

Still remember his rookie(i think) year slam dunk contest.

I’ll also read any interview with him. Very interesting guy, and definitely one of the hardest working professional athletes.

Like Jon Jones, Kobe watches videos.

those two people are very similar

Both rub people the wrong way, for the exact same reasons…

Sucks. I would love to see that fight. He kind of sounds like an old man on his way out, I guess his body is really breaking down.

Bones Jones vs Anderson Silva

Is not a matchup i ever expected to happen. Almost for the same reasons i never thought GSP vs Silva would happen. Its not a good fight to take for the smaller guy. And i don’t really think legacies are at stake…Anderson Silva dominated his division for how long? Seems pretty solid that he is one of the greatest ever. Same can be said for GSP, even though i personally don’t put the decision machine in my personal top list.

GSP would win

Just my opinion, it would be ufc 117 without the triangle.

Stop the GSP-Sonnen-UFC 117 comparison

1. Sonnen can take a punch, knee and keep going.
2. Sonnen is absolutely relentless. He throws caution to the wind, he is not risk-averse.
3. Sonnen’s wrestling is completely different than GSP
4. Sonnen doesn’t care if he finishes fights.
5. Sonnen knows HRT.

You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bloody Elbow to post a comment.