FIGHT FANS THIS IS IT!! The biggest summer event in mixed martial arts has been announced this week: Anderson Silva will face off against Forrest Griffin at 205 lbs. It's set to go down in Philly at UFC 101. Fans, you're in for a real blockbuster. Believe the hype. The idea that Griffin would delay the fight or avoid contact the way Patrick Cote and Thiago Alves did is nonsense. What we have here is the hardest working man in the sport going up against the greatest champion to ever set foot in the Octagon. It's a dream come true. Both fighters stand to be moved up the ladder for belt contention if they win. Not only that, but the fight is a win-win situation for either man, win or lose. Consider the facts: Anderson Silva is the Middleweight Champion with or without a W here; and to think his standings in the light-heavy division would move drastically is out of the question as well. On the other side of this, Forrest Griffin has truly lucked out. If he wins, he's just beaten Anderson Silva and will now stand atop a very thick division. If he loses, he lost to Anderson God Damn Silva. Can't exactly discredit the man for losing, can you? No, you can't. So there, it's a win-win situation. Say otherwise and I think you're just crying "wolf".
As for the result of this fight, the breakdown is fairly simple. If Forrest thinks he can brawl with Silva, he's gonna be counting the lights in no time. Silva is the best striker in the organization and he will not allow Forrest to fight recklessly without making him suffer. As for ground work, Griffin has the upper hand with take down ability, but I'm still not sure if he will be able to get Silva down and produce anything of merit unless he can weaken him early on. Essentially, Griffin must be conservative, but not lacking in point scoring or aggression. Silva's biggest weakness has yet to be exposed, I feel, so it is imperative that Griffin pick him apart the best he can. Control the clinches, keep the man down, and batter him until you can dictate the pace. That's Griffin's best bet.
On the other side, Silva's best plan would be to let Griffin get sloppy. Forget what the critic's might say after the fight, disregard the boo's that might pour from the crowd. It's his ass out there. Forrest Griffin is best known for letting his aggression get the best of him. Let him do it again. Bait him into throwing looping shots. Make him try for take downs that he won't get. Tire him out and work him with the pin point strikes we all know and love. On the ground, Silva has an advantage in submissions, but not in ground control. Griffin is a big boy and will throw his weight around if he gets top position. So Silva must maintain a distance using his butterfly guard and his length. It's the best way to go. Or he could just Bruce Lee the dude.
In the end, I see Anderson Silva winning a huge fight in the second round by KO. If Griffin wins, he'll do it in a decision. Either way, this is a great match up and it deserves all the media attention it can get. Truth.
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