Anderson Silva vs Demian Maia is on!

Considering the circumstances, this is probably the best they could do. Sonnen is still recovering and all the top 205 guys are already in scheduled fights.

 

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Perhaps Maia has learned his lesson and won't be so foolish with his "striking." If he sticks to his jiujitsu - he won't get blown away in the first at least.

 

God, let's hope not. But you may very well be right. The question is can Maia do anything to get Silva to the ground, which Leites couldn't do.
Clearly laying on your back and hoping Silva ends up in your guard isn't going to cut it.

 

Maia did get Sonnen on the ground.

 

**** Joe Silva.

 

I'd love to see what he can do with Silva on the ground. As invincible as Anderson is, it would be foolish to think someone with Maia's skills doesn't have a chance. Not that Silva is a chump on the ground either.
But, it's probably much more likely that Silva lands something quick and early and it's over.

 

I like Palhares chances more; someone more powerful.

 

I realize that this is probably the best they can do at 185 without Henderson, but it would kind of suck to have such a one trick pony as the champ. A one trick pony who just went the distance with Dan Miller and got cold cocked by the guy that just got unceremoniously thrown down the ladder. I really would have rather seen a fight at 205 than this.

 

Palhares last 2 fights arent a 20 secound KO loss and a horribly boring decision win neither.

 

This is a good replacement fight. An interesting clash of styles. It will be interesting to see if Maia can get Silva to the ground. Unlike Leites, Maia has good takedowns.

 

And Palhares has a crazy chin, all those bombs he took from Hendo + he would slam Anderson to the mat:hey
Seriously, Palhares has a better shot than Maia with his knack to leglock and with Silva's long leg

 

I agree Palhares chin has to be granite he powered threw a Henderson shot and slammed him in the 1st round thats a statement that hey this is a tough guy not afraid to risk it to get the fight where he needs it.

 

At 185 it is a decent replacement. A new opponent from the Marquardt, Maia, Sonnen mix. He can fight Belfort after and Sonnen after that.

I don't think Maia has anything for Silva standing up but if it goes to the ground we will all watch with serious interest.

 

Palhares would be a great challenge to Silva. It's too bad he hasn't been in a high profile match since his tough loss to Henderson. I'll never forget when he just picked Hendo up and threw him on the ground. Nobody takes Dan Henderson down that easily. Palhares is definitely a beast.

 

Just what I was thinking. I'm disappointed with the way Palhares has been handled since the Hendo fight. He has so much potential as a top contender at 185 but the UFC have relegated him to nothing fights on undercards. I'd like to see them match him better and get him in a position to challenge for the title.