Lets get this straight I'm a huge Pride fan, I lived in Japan when Pride was in its heyday. It was my introduction to MMA and I'll always cheer for the ex-Pride fighters when I watch them fight (although I did lose faith with Cro-Cop, his heart just wasn't in it at the end). These guys are a dying breed, and it got me thinking about the battle to stay relevant and stave off retirement that these ageing fighters are facing. Randy Couture laid down the blueprint, he kept himself in tip top shape, always came to the Octagon with a watertight game plan and showed huge heart and desire. His comeback win against Tim Sylvia is one of my favourite all time fights. This weekend we'll see another fighter in a desperate battle to keep his career alive....Wanderlei Silva. He's probably one of my all time faves. Undoubtedly one of the most intimidating fighters in MMA history, a guy who finished fights. His UFC career though has been less than spectacular, he also looks pretty weird following the surgery he had to remove all the scar tissue from his face. It's almost like he's wearing guy liner...weird. Despite this he's still my boy but he's on borrowed time. His chin is Liddelesque in its fragility and he still seems to approach fights without a solid game plan. The biggest issue for me though is his change of attitude. I hate to hear him talking about "entertaining the fans", he talks about putting on a good fight being more important than winning and his legendary intense stare down has disappeared. I realize that if you are losing fights then it's more difficult to feel like a killer who scares his opponents stiff but if he has any chance of keeping his career alive he has to tap into the animal that he once was. Don't get me wrong I'm not advocating that he starts rushing across the cage recklessly. He just needs to get mean. For what its worth I think he'll beat Cung Lee who is flashy but overrated in my opinion. If we are lucky we may just see Wanderlei in a few more fun fights before the end.
Fantasic night of fights. Shogun and Hendo showing true warrior spirit, Faber wonderfully efficient and Silva showing great patience and diversity in his well timed attack...
ReplyDeleteCung Lee is a joy to watch in the Octagon, but how dangerous can he really be against top competition? It is great to see such spectacular martial arts moves delivered with winning intent, but is Lee always making the right choices, or just trying to stay out of close combat danger? He is unquestionably excellent at spinning kick range but as he approaches 40 I don’t think he will have the desire to be in the pocket or on the ground with many of UFC elite. The pull of the movie set will surely be much more appealing. And who can blame him, after all, the seasoned Quinton Jackson is quite open about his intensions if the movie offers increase. Lee made big money at the weekend but he can make just as much in a far less painful arena. Judging by the interaction with his wife in and around the Octagon, I think it is clear that she too may be keen for him to step away.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I just wrote in my most recent post that I wouldn't be surprised if that was his first and last fight in the UFC. He is really entertaining though!
ReplyDelete