FIGHT TIME
Saturday, June 24th
7:00 PM PST
10:00 PM EST
Madison Square Garden, New York City
An American Gangster Returns to the Big Apple Seeking an Old Foe...
Wanderlei 'The Axe Murderer' Silva:
...is the former UFC contender, former Pride Middleweight and Open Weight Champion, and absolute MMA pioneer. The former light heavyweight brawler comes into this upcoming bout as a cemented legend, he is undoubtedly the greatest action fighter of all time! No one can doubt the merits of Wanderlei, and his persistence to be an all time great in the ring (and cage)
The late 90s were run by the UFC in terms of mixed martial arts media, but Wanderlei spent his time fighting in Japan and Brazil at Vale Tudo (hand to hand with no gloves) tournaments. He was renowned and feared as one of the many Brazilians in the Chute Box team which homed other legendary fighters and coaches (such as Anderson Silva and Rafael Cordeiro). He holds the record in Pride for most fights won in a row (20), and most knockouts (15). He is arguably the greatest Pride fighter of all time, and in an analysis of his early career, he is arguably the greatest fighter to have ever lived!
He dispatched an older version of Sakuraba, but with that torch, he carried on a legacy and destroyed formidable contenders (and champions) in 'Rampage' Jackson, Dan Henderson, and Ricardo Arona. Wanderlei's career ended with a series of tough losses and knockouts, this is because his style beckoned damaged and he would not back down (or lose) any brawl. Wandy has a resume of legends, and win or lose he always brought 100 percent of that fighting spirit! His losses to bigger men in Mirko Cro Cop and Chuck Liddel not only show how undersized physically he was, but it showed how big his heart truly is.
Chael "The American Gangster" Sonnen:
..is the former UFC Middleweight Contender and title challenger, he is also one of the most outspoken athletes that have ever lived. The American Gangster as he calls himself, is a quick-witted fighter who enjoys breaking the opponent down with words and insults first and foremost. The self-proclaimed 'undefeated champion of the world' has supposedly never lost, and he tells us he is the greatest to have ever strapped on gloves.
His hyperbole is always much more impressive than his technicality in the cage; he is a bruiser type fighter than enjoys the rough clinch and takedown game more than anything. Chael has solid power in his straight punches, but the end goal of taking the fight to the ground is always evident, and the AG has never really evolved his fighting game. Men like Demian Maia and Anderson Silva were the first to exploit Chael's awful gas tank and lack of jiu-jitsu defense, Tito Ortiz showed us not too long ago that age has not been kind to Chael either.
Sonnen is a questionable oddball who really doesn't seem to know why he fights, his last fight (in which he was submitted in under 2 minutes) was a highly questionable turn of events in which some accused him of throwing the fight. Sonnen is a known PED abuser and had a ratio of 12:1 when he fought for the UFC title nearly 8 years ago... The man's confidence is always present, but in terms of fighting, he is a confounding specimen that can't be trusted. Let us see what version of the 'Gangster' we get this Saturday!
Breakdown and Prediction:
There isn't much to be said about this fight...these two guys have been planning to duke it out for over 4 years now, but with terms falling out and both men being dispatched from the UFC, it has seemingly taken decades! These guys are war torn and much older than a fresh athlete, Wanderlei still has power and the aggression to end a fight, but neither man will have the energy to carry on for 2 rounds let alone 3.
I see Wanderlei being very tentative as he has not fought in more than half a decade. All the wars and damage take a toll, and I can not see them not being a huge factor in this bout. Chael himself is way clear of his prime, but he has wrestling in his back pocket, and he Wandy has never been an ace on the ground. I can see Sonnen getting Silva down at will, but if Silva has any resolve left, I can see him aggressively push off and get up all the while punishing Chael for stalling.
Tremendously hard fight to call between two grumpy old men, I wouldn't be surprised if either man comes in overweight and looking for an excuse out. This is a true spectacle of a main event, and it is the curiosity of the entire process that keeps the fans tuned in. I like the prospect of a finish in this fight, a wacky one.
Prediction: Wanderlei Silva by TKO Round 3
