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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
It's time for another edition of Ask MMATorch, where MMATorch Editor Jamie Penick and MMATorch Columnist Rich Hansen answer your questions on all things MMA. If you've got a question you'd like addressed in this feature, make sure to send it in to "askmmatorch@gmail.com"
Eugene writes:If Anderson loses tomorrow and loses the probable rematch to Weidman, what do you do with him? Do you give him the Sonnen blueprint and give him a shot at Jon Jones' belt OR put him in video game mode like Rich Franklin and have him fight legends OR do you Jon Fitch his ass and encourage him to retire (I doubt they would cut him) because he's too "f***in expensive" OR other?
MMATorch Editor Jamie Penick Answers: If Silva loses two straight against Weidman it will put the UFC in an interesting spot. If he wants to keep fighting, they're absolutely going to book him, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least in that scenario if he moved to the light heavyweight division at that time. Now, at 38 already, I don't know that he'd be trying to make a run at that point, so that Rich Franklin option is certainly a possibility. He's getting paid the type of money that necessitates big fights, even if he loses two straight to Weidman, so if he wants to continue fighting, the UFC will give him those fights.
Conor writes:Would a defeat for Anderson Silva at UFC 162 against Chris Weidman be a good or bad thing for the UFC and MMA as a whole? And also do you believe a defeat would signify the end of Silva's illustrious career?
MMATorch Editor Jamie Penick Answers: It's far too early to say whether it would be a good or bad thing for the UFC and the sport. Having dominant champions means big stars that people consistently pay to watch, but their time also can't go on forever. When those long-reigning champs lose their titles, it could mean a serious blow to business, as evidenced by the lightweight division's turn once Frankie Edgar defeated B.J. Penn.
Chris Weidman could eventually work his way into a spot as a dominant star should he defeat Silva, but he's a relative unknown whose last fight took place on Fuel TV. So in the short run, it could bring a major rematch business wise, but again, too early to say right now.
As for Silva's career, a loss Saturday won't be the end of him, though a follow up loss could certainly do that. As addressed above, there are options should he decide to continue fighting, but two straight losses to Weidman at best could be the beginning of the end.
Anthony writes:A lot of people are bringing up the long layoff for Mark Munoz coming into his fight with Tim Boetsch & how that may have an effect on his performance in this match. Chris Weidman has been out of the cage just as long as Munoz since their last fight was against each other.
A lot of people are picking Weidman to beat Anderson Silva but no one has brought up his layoff. How can that affect Weidman coming into this match with a guy like Anderson Silva?
MMATorch Editor Jamie Penick Answers: I've mentioned the layoff factor on a couple of occasions when discussing the Weidman-Silva fight. It's something being ignored or dismissed by a segment of observers looking at the fight, but it absolutely will play into this fight. It's impossible for it not to have an effect.
We've seen plenty of examples of fighters either starting extremely slow in their first fight back after a layoff or just underperforming entirely. Weidman's going to try to buck that trend, but it's a factor on Saturday and could absolutely be an edge for Silva. To act like the layoff means nothing to this matchup is disingenuous, and though it might not be the deciding factor, it's going to play into the fight.
[Anderson Silva art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
