Staff Columnists
MARSH: The future of the middleweight division still runs through Anderson Silva in 2011
Nov 22, 2010 - 6:45:22 PM MARSH: The future of the middleweight division still runs through Anderson Silva in 2011

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

By: Griffin Marsh, MMATorch Contributor

I would like to start this week by saying that, just as every MMA fan has their favorite fighters, I do as well, and mine just so happens to be Anderson Silva. Though I try to look with an unbiased opinion, I still feel Anderson is the best in the world, period. At UFC 122 last week, Yushin Okami surprised many by defeating perennial contender Nate Marquardt via unanimous decision. Though many, including myself, felt the advantage lay with Marquardt due to his overall skill set, Okami proved doubters wrong and proved he is the true number one contender to Anderson Silva not currently suspended for PED use.

With a February bout looming between the unbeaten-in-the-UFC Middleweight Champion Silva and Vitor Belfort, many predictions and statements have been made in regards to the future layout of the middleweight division. While many feel that Belfort has a great chance to dethrone the middleweight king, I do not.

Vitor Belfort stormed into the UFC in February 1997 and scored a quick TKO victory over Tra Telligman at UFC 12: Judgment Day. In doing so, Belfort became the youngest fighter in UFC history to score a win inside the Octagon at 19 years old. In the following fights, Belfort breezed through cupcake fighters Scott Ferrozzo and the infamous Tank Abbott before being soundly defeated by Randy Couture.

Belfort has fought for a myriad of promotions that include PRIDE, Cage Rage, Affliction and Strikeforce. Since his last UFC loss to Tito Ortiz in 2005, Belfort has compiled a record of 7-3; with wins against opponents Anthony Rea, Yoshiki Takahashi, Ivan Serati, James Zikic, Terry Martin, Matt Lindland and Rich Franklin. His losses in that stretch came against Alistair Overeem (twice) and Dan Henderson.

Vitor Belfort hasn't defeated a top opponent in years, and in my opinion will be defeated fairly quickly in his bout with "The Spider." With a Belfort loss and a supposed promise of a title shot to Okami, Anderson Silva will defend his title against the last man to beat him, Yushin Okami.

While the circumstances concerning Okami's victory over Silva question his toughness and character as a fighter, on paper Okami still is the last man to defeat Silva. During the fight, Silva kicked Okami with an up-kick from guard, while Okami's knees were on the ground. The referee gave Okami the green light to continue fighting but Okami instead opted to take a disqualification win. After the fight, Silva claimed the rules weren't properly explained to him.

With the future rematch between Yushin Okami and Anderson Silva looming sometime between middle to late next year, Okami will train to do his best to prove to the world he is a better fighter than Anderson Silva, and will try to do what no other man in the UFC has been able to do in defeating him.

When the two do finally face off next year, there will be some who choose to pick Okami. I cannot honestly see a circumstance where Yushin pulls off the upset. Anderson is not only a superior striker but just as good of a grappler. Anderson has taken heat because he has shown weakness against great wrestlers, but all he has done is take everything those wrestlers have thrown at him and soundly finished them.

In November of 2011, I fully and whole-heartedly believe Anderson Silva will still be the reigning Middleweight Champion of the UFC. And hopefully he will get the respect he deserves in everyone's pound for pound rankings. With a UFC record for longest winning streak and UFC record for most successful title defenses, the 12-0 unbeaten UFC Champion is undoubtedly the best fighter in the world, and will still be in 2011.


Questions? Comments? Contact Me: andysilvanumber1@yahoo.com