Again, I think some people are misunderstanding the reason why Chael is going about the smack talk. He's just good at it and can add humor into it. Some of the stuff he says is so out there that I can't see how anybody can be offended because it is only blatantly obvious he is doing it to pump up the fight and to get under Anderson's skin. I seriously doubt he really dislikes Anderson...lol. This is a mental thing that he is trying to to accomplish. The guy is educated, and can talk well, and he just takes advantage of this. It's brought a lot of tension to the fight, and he has really helped sale it imo. Whther or not he can back it up is another story, and will be interesting to see how he reacts if beaten.
I can understand people not liking him, but there are few people imo, who can talk smack, and get away with it...on a humorous basis. Kind of Muhammed Ali (in a very simplified way).
It seems everyone forgets about Silva fighting Dan Henderson. Henderson laid on him for a round, then Silva submitted him with ease.
Henderson could outwrestle Sonnen with a broken arm in a sling behind his back. Silva will absolutely shit hammer Sonnen.
IMO, Anderson lost the first round, and Anderson had nothing for him once there, so IMO, I think Dan WAS successful. The second round, Anderson took advantage of Dan trying to stand-up with him on the feet. Dan lost the fight himself by changing his game plan from taking Anderson down to the ground vs. trying to beat him on the feet. That, and it was Dan's first fight back at 185-lbs, and he looked gassed. Chael will not gas out like that imo.
Anderson has a very long reach, both arms and legs, which make him dangerous because he can just pick his shots from outside, plus he is very tall compared to most other fighters. They have to get in close and avoid getting pummeled in the process, and also avoid his clinch as well. If Sonnen can get close enough to take him down, then he needs to obviously watch out for the triangle.
the undercard tonight is damn near better than the main imo. how do you not get pumped up for Fitch-Alves!!! And although he is a fat beast I am excited to see Junior against Roy Nelson. Hughes Almeida has potential to be a great fight if they really take it to the mat. Hughes world class wrestling and power against Almeida's scary BJJ skills and raw strength. And I dont know about you guys but I freakin love watching Clay Guida. That guy is the most amusing character in the game.
Hughes - Almeida - Almeida via Sub
Dos Santos - Nelson - Dos Santos via KO or TKO
Fitch - Alves - gonna go Fitch although Alves is one of my overall fav fighters. he just cant handle the takedowns
Guida - dos Anjos - Dos Anjos via decision
Hazlett - Story - Hazlett via sub
those are my early predictions. notice im not predicting the main event. its just too hard to call because depending the situation either guy can win. and anderson hasnt exactly shown me anything special in the last few fights. that being said chael has a tendency to let his opponents beat on him a little bit in order to get his takedowns and if he lets Silva do that he wont be walking out on his own. hard call.
The Johnny Hendricks fight should be good too.
I agree this is a sick-ass card!
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