Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!







Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

On Oct. 25, 2008 the world saw a different side of Anderson Silva, one nobody could have anticipated or ever predicted...

Five Mental Hurdles Anderson Silva Must Manage To Remain Champ

by Derek Bolender (Columnist)

49

615 reads

Rankings/List

January 12, 2009


On Oct. 25, 2008 the world saw a different side of Anderson Silva, one nobody could have anticipated or ever predicted. 

 

That marked the date of UFC 90 where Silva successfully defended his middleweight championship belt against Patrick Cote after Cote could not continue in the third round due to a serious knee injury. 

 

The fact that Cote made it into the third round was news in itself. It was the first time in the UFC an opponent had done so and the only time since 2004 (under the PRIDE banner) that this minor, but respectable, achievement had been fulfilled against Silva.

 

Throughout the fight Silva seemed not like himself. He did not want to engage. He was content dancing around the octagon and feeling out Cote for extended lengths of time.   

 

Typically the feeling out process lasts only about a minute into the first round for Silva.  From that point on, he usually begins his patented Muay Thai “eight points of contact” assault consisting of knees, punches, kicks, and elbows that traditionally overwhelm his opponents. This was not the case against Cote. 

 

Was it simply a bad night for Silva or was it something more?

 

What was missing on the surface appeared to be his burning desire to be the best, to dismantle and thoroughly dominate his opponent like he has done so many times before, and to continue to cement his legacy.

 

He certainly was not having any physical issues. On the other hand, there did seem to be some sort of a mental battle being waged behind the façade that was tangibly taking shape before our very eyes. 

 

He gave the impression he was preoccupied, complacent, and unfocused. These are characteristics that no professional fighter should ever acquire.  

 

Looking ahead, there is a fight against Thales Leites looming on the horizon at UFC 97 in April. While Leites may not be a big name like Silva’s previous challengers, I would argue he poses the biggest stylistic threat that Silva has ever faced in the UFC, due to his superior submission game.  

 

Other possible future opponents include Yushin Okami, Demian Maia, Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson, Michael Bisping, and Rich Franklin.  

 

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

46 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Brian Oswald 5 months ago

    Very thorough and well researched article Derek. Some of the points you made I was not aware of (specifically all of the movie info). When you put all five pieces together it does paint a more clear picture of what is going on with Anderson Silva. One may even wonder if he still wants to be in his UFC contract?

    In regard to Anderson Silva never being challenged in the UFC. I do agree that so far he hasn't been challenged but he still has the perfect opportunity to be challenged by moving up in weight class. It is widely reported that Silva walks around as a heavyweight. He has already fought once at LHW and it seems like a natural progression for him to move there.

    The only reason I can see Silva not moving up to LHW is because he feels that Machida is the rightful heir to the LHW title. If this is true then I ca respect that but it is also a disappointment to not too Silva truly tested in the sport. While he will always be considered one of the sports P4P best (unless he loses to a future MW) fans will always wonder how far he really could have gone.

    Are there any other reasons that he would not make the permanent move to LHW that you are aware of? Besides the ones you mentioned creating an overall lack of interest in really competing and him just wanting to ride out his current contract?

    Very fascinating piece. *****POTD

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      Thanks for the POTD ... He just seems like his mind is elsewhere and the second he takes one of these middleweight contenders lightly he's going to pay and it will be a huge disappointment.

      I also considered the fact that I could be off base. What if cote never went down with an injury and he ended up knocking him out later in that round? It could have happened and then it would have been business as usual.

      I'm not a mind reader obviously but it appears like something is going on with him. Maybe one of the five suggestions I put forward or a combination of all of them. It remains to be seen how this will all play out.

      As far as LHW goes I think he went up there once b/c the ufc asked him to and b/c he enjoys a challenge but i firmly believe he'll never pursue the belt b/c of machida BUT only if machida keeps winning. If machida loses against thiago silva he may seriously consider fighting for the title at 205. If machida keeps winning we still could see silva at 205 but it would simply be to bide time until the middleweight contenders are sorted out.

      Also, what if franklin rattles off two straight victories?? Are they really going to give us franklin/silva 3?? I doubt it. Silva might conveniently vacate the middleweight crown if that ends up happening and force franklin to fight maia or okami or whoever for the title.

      Lots of possible scenarios...

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  2. Robert DesRoche 5 months ago

    "He was in total control of each fight and was never in danger at any point. He made it look too easy and these were thought to be some of the best middleweight fighters in the world that he was dismantling."

    Not exactly. Lutter did take him down on a few times. As well as mount him. Which is a bit unbelievable.

    About the movies... he'd be awesome if he ever wants to do it. Just the way he moves. He's like a freaking ninja. He could be thrown into some cool fight scenes. I'd be interested...

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  3. Mike Leanza 5 months ago

    I liked this article. Definitley alot of good points here. Silva just looked disinterested in his fight with Cote, but I want to wait until after the Leites fight to gage his overall stance in MMA. Regarding boxing, Silva isn't really that big of a name outside the MMA world. He's not like Chuck Liddell who could get millions to box.

    Andy acting, I think he should just stick to fighting. I mean, maybe small roles or cameos, but I dont think I could ever pay money to see Anderson Silva star in movie.

    5 stars POTD

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      I'm totally curious about the leites fight too. I just want to see his whole demeanor this time. On the other hand, I think leites is a bad matchup for silva. If he can take silva down (which numerous guys have) and avoid damage in the process I think he has the advantage on the ground. Leites' cardio is poor though so if he isn't able to take him down a couple times in the first couple rounds it could be a highlight reel finish for silva once leites drops his hands later on.

      Thanks for the pick!

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  4. Dorothy Willis 5 months ago

    Anderson Silva is one of a kind. The UFC must be so stiffling to a man as talented and multifasceted as he is. I am sure he is very frustrated and worried that the Ray Jones Jr. that he will eventually fight will not be the person he has wanted to fight and may burn himself out before Anderson's contract is up. That would be quite a blow to his ego. He is so colorful and does move so fluidly that he is a joy to watch just for the elegance of his movements. Being humble and self effacing with a kookie sense of humor would help any acting career as well.

    I don't think he has any mental deficits and can overcome his grief to accomplish anything he wants. Still it must be disheartening being a butterfly ready to emerges from his cacoon and having Dana White and a UFC contract trying to keep him from spreading his wings and confine him to life on the ground when his nature is to soar away and fly to new heights

    Great article. ***** & POTD

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      Thanks for the pick. I know he may feel held hostage by his contract right now but he could be free of it in 8 - 12 months if he chooses to be. Then he can do whatever he wants. I would hate to see him lose any luster off of his legacy if one of the #1 contenders beats him.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  5. Stoker Mac 5 months ago

    The feeling THAT I got was that he was disinterested in fighting my tough as nails fellow Canadian;..he did however try to ko Cote ..once with a knee and then a powerful right hand...Cote was briefly stunned ..but like his brother from another mother "Forrest Griffin"..it would take getting hit by an unexpected meteorite to actually put them out of consciousness..:)..Anderson would like to move on to bigger and better things(BOXING) ...but is bound by a contract..STOKER

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  6. Mike D 5 months ago

    I believe it's a testament to the man's greatness that after a 3rd round WIN against a legit Canadien 185er with a boulder on top of his shoulders, everyone in the MMA world is wondering what the hell happened !!!! This is the same type of article that most likely was written about GSP after he got plastered against Serra. Urijah Faber can get KTFO against Mike Brown and most people chalk it up too "oops, just a stupid move by a quirky fighter". I do agree that we did not see the real Anderson Silva in the cage against Cote, but let's wait until somebody actually makes it to a decision against the guy before we start writing his eulogy. What a crying f-in' shame it would be if what you wrote about Silva going into boxing in 18 months is true. I'll still watch every one of his fights, but I'll be screaming at my TV every time I see an opening for a spinning back-kick to the solar-plexus (SP??). The man with the deadliest knees and elbows in the world won't be able to use them anymore. Knock on wood it won't happen, and look forward to something terrible happening to Leites in the near future.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      I can respect the "wait and see approach" you're taking. If he knocks out leites fairly easily i'll tip my cap to him for sure.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  7. Jaime Moreno 5 months ago

    This is a very well thought out article. If there was a way to give it 10 stars I would.

    My personally feeling on the Cote fight was he just was in a weird funk. The death of a family member is hard to deal with even for the superhuman. It just wasn't his day that day and still without the knee injure to Cote, Anderson was coasting to a victory.

    The retirement thing and the boxing thing are probably on the back burner right now and it will show at the Leites fight. I really truly feel sorry for Leites because if it gets past the first round it will be soley due to the fact that Anderson wants it to go there. We may see the first decapation in the cage.

    POTD and **********

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  8. Robert DesRoche 5 months ago

    As I side note to all this, if Cote didn't have kevlar skin and a granite chin we wouldn't be talking about all this. He hit him with at least one huge punch and at least one huge knee that I can think of off the top of my head.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      good point, and i was thinking about that myself all the way at the top under brian's comment. What if cote didn't get injured and silva KO'd him later that round? I might not be questioning his mental status if that was the case, but that isn't the case. Something was not right though. It looked wrong and it felt wrong.

      i take it you expect to see the anderson silva of old at UFC 97 and that i should give him a mulligan for UFC 90 ...

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  9. Dorothy Willis 5 months ago

    Derek, weren't you there in Chicago for the fight--it seems like I remember seeing your pictures of the event. I was very envious of you making it to the event; the first UFC event in Illinois. Since you had a ringside seat and none of the rest of us were there, I believe your assessment is valid, in spite of what Mike says.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Mike D 5 months ago

      Dee, you gotta give me a break here... I fully agree that Anderson was not 'the Spider" back in October, but doesn't every great fighter deserve a mulligan ? Liddell, Cotoure, GSP (I know that one hit a nerve). Add the fact that we're not even talking about a LOSS here. Just a lackluster performance.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      I was in chicago at ufc 90 but you saw everything I did on tv. The boos were just louder for me. Mike has a point to a certain degree. I think his demeanor spoke volumes regardless of whether or not he was winning the fight. His demeanor reeked of boredom and being unfocused. Which is extremely out of character for him. I've never seen that kind of demeanor from any great fighter whether its liddell or GSP or whoever. If Cote and Silva had gone the distance and silva won a decision i think i'd still be questioning his mental status. The leites fight could make this all disappear ...

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      I think a return trip to chicago ERR rosemont will happen though, simply b/c it is such an important domestic market. UFC 100 is rumored to be in chicago on the 4th of July .... unless they get sanctioning in NY in the mean time.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      whoops, that was a reply to your comment below dorothy

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  10. Dorothy Willis 5 months ago

    Mike, it was interesting while it lasted. Anderson was emulating his hero Jones and trying something different in response to Cote's unusual and unexpected tactics. Both men looked like they expected something really big to occur; though neither expected it to be Patrick's knee giving out. Then poor Anderson got ripped for his performance. Boy are some fans fickle! That is all I have to say.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      Yeah i felt bad for cote when he went down w/ that injury. People were booing loudly and thought he was faking it. I knew immediately even from the stands that he had blown out his knee. A lot of fans in the US still have a ways to go towards being respectful and educated in the sport like the Japanese.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Dorothy Willis 5 months ago

      Agreed. And as much as I had wanted the UFC to come to Chicago, I was ashamed of how the crowd reacted. No wonder Dana is saving the really big show for Montreal, Illinois does not deserve a return engagement.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Danas Lil Slave GG U 5 months ago

      I would be fickle if I had been stupid enough to pay for that PPV

      Poor Cote - WTH was he doing in the ring as a half-injured fighter to begin with?

      Lets gather thought about this fight - B class fighter, does not listen to doctors advice, everything goes to hell in the 3rd round & ppl who paid to see this fight should be respectful? nope not me - not ppl in Chicago - they got screwed - if I were in Chicago I would not WANT a "return engagement" until Dana White can come up with some real fighters to fight

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  11. Jared Leatzow 5 months ago

    Good read and very interesting. However, I wasn't aware that Silva had an extensive career in boxing prior to mma. Everything I ever heard was that he fought one pro-boxing match, which I have found on Youtube, and he knocked the guy out. I heard he may have fought one other fight under boxing rules after that but then that was it.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      He was 1 - 1 as a professional boxer per www.boxrec.com. He was knocked out by Osmar Teixeira 5/22/1998 and then he knocked out Julio Cesar De Jesus 8/6/2005 which is the one on youtube.

      Teixeira is 30 - 21 in his boxing career and De Jesus is 0 - 1 (silva fight is his only professional boxing match).

      I also recently heard Freddie Roach say in an interview that Silva is 4 - 0 as a boxer which seems to be incorrect ...

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  12. Alabama Voodoo 5 months ago

    I think Anderson Silva is just flat our bored at times. Nothing shocks me with this man. He is point blank a lethal person with the dominating skills and mental prowess that you see in less than 1% of the population. He is gifted and unique but lacks a real challenge or rival IMHO.

    I think he needs to fight light heavyweight possibly heavyweight to get that challenge he seeks. Maybe it is out there, who knows?

    Great Article by the way!

    - Voodoo

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      i'd like to see him fight at LHW too but I think machida would have to lose in order for him to feel okay about going up there and competing for the belt ...

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  13. Jessy Morris 5 months ago

    Great points you put up there Derek, when you look at it, it makes alot of sense. I guess we will find out if all those things still press on his mind when he fights Thales Leites. We'll see who shows up, the Silva who dominated Franklin, Hendo and Marquardt or the Silva that let Cote get to round 3.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  14. Bryan Trafford 5 months ago

    Don't even know what to add to this one. Anything I would have said is already in the article. Great Job.

    Only thing I'm wondering now is what happens if he loses to Leites. Then what?

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      I haven't seen anyone who gives leites a shot in hell. I think if he can get silva on the ground he has the advantage. Leites has terrible cardio though and if he doesn't get to silva early it could be lights out for him. Leites is also a guy he could take lightly like most of the ufc fans are doing right now.

      A loss would certainly be a a big blow to their UFC 100 plans and a big stain on Silva's career resume, especially with it being his final hour. If he does lose I wouldn't be surprised if he got a shot to reclaim it (after a victory over another top contender) right before his contract expires.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  15. Bob Fletcher 5 months ago

    Great article Derek! Real fun to read!
    But dang, you guys are hard on Cote. In my opinion, he earned that title fight, and I'm sure it wasn't Anderson's choice to "let" him into the 3rd round. Who doesn't like knocking people out in this business? I think it was definetly the same Anderson, just A LOT more cautious..because of his previous opponents, who could you say had real KO power other than Henderson?
    Props again for the article, Derek!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      Thanks for the kind words .... I could say franklin and irvin have legitimate KO power too. He certainly wasn't cautious with those two. Maybe being overly cautious was indeed his game plan against cote, maybe it was something else. It just looked wrong and felt wrong to me. The beauty is that he can settle all this w/ a great performance in April.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  1. Stoker Mac 5 months ago

    I agree with what everyone says..(for a change)...but its like this..I've been around fighters ..not many mma fighters mind you..but who cares.."fighters are fighters"...Anderson SILVA has been used to getting big fights and now he gets these(SUB -PAR) opponents who don't belong in the ring with him..Anderson own words are the best reply to the questions asked here!..he has said countless times that he wants high profile , big named fights!!! DUHH..its like any sport..( say you are a number 1 team)its hard to get pumped to play teams that have no chance of making the playoffs...or frankly do not have the skill set as your team...Cote had a punchers chance-GOD BLESS HIM HE TRIED-in that fight at best...Anderson Silva has everything to lose ..Cote had nothing...he wasn't expected to win... and he didn't!! . he was looking for a way out!! and he found one..some of these french guys just dont belong inthe UFC..sorry to say..gsp is one in a million..

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  2. Stoker Mac 5 months ago

    well ill tell you somethin anthony id like to see the damn exray..and the phoney blood tests that dana keeps coming up with..grrr..cote, road warrior and the crow should stay in the tko..org..especially bringing back crow who is totally washed up and long past his prime is a waste of time and money..road warrior gets beat up and hospitalized every time he fights..

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Anthony Pole 5 months ago

      You didn't see his knee pop? Have you seen the fight? Even the commentators knew instantly what happened. Watch the fight and pause it, you can see his knee pop out.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      i can't tell if you really think cote was faking it or not ... surely you don't.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Dorothy Willis 5 months ago

      Hey Stoker, Buddy, you know you are seriously stepping on my toes here, too. I happen to love Jonathan and David, and not just because they are my friends on Facebook. Having both of them in the UFC has been my wish for a long time and I have faith in both of them.

      Cote did not fake anything. He had that knee injured and fought three fights before it gave out. Winning three fights on a bum knee is a pretty good indication of the type of fighter he is. Nobody wants to have surgery if they can get along without it. Please don't question Patrick's performance. Sh*t happens, Stoker, and you should know that. Let's give Patrick a break.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  3. Stoker Mac 5 months ago

    DEE,
    listen..i admit that i don't know a hell of alot ..but what i do know is that these fighters have to pass very stringent examinations before they are ok,d to fight...im not sure what type of doctor would let a guy fight while knowingly injured.. **or maybe Dana white has orchestrated these events..im saying look at both sides of the coin here...Dana needs excuses if a fighter that supposed to win losses..so he makes up things ..(staff infection twice nog and diego?? 2 guys that were supposed to win..right??) there is two sides to every story..and believe this- what -dana -white -tells -the media- and -what- is the -actual -truth- can- be- as -different -as- day- and -night,...he has to protect his assets..that's his job..if that means making some cockamamie story about 2 dif staff infections and a displaced acl..so be it..( as a measuring stick ask yourself this question, would you fight Anderson Silva if you knew you had a bad leg??..very doubt ful??..and as for the ROAD WARRIOR AND CROW...AND PAT COTE..THEY ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE MONTREAL ORG.S,,BUT THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO GET KILLED IF THEY STAY IN THE UFC.. crow was beat up severely by ace...swick put roadwarrior in the hospital..cote fights while injured...IF I WAS DANA ID GET RID OF ALL OF THEM except GSP!!!,,THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO VENT!!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  4. Stoker Mac 5 months ago

    Derek..you hit the nail right on the head with your first mental hurdle..you could have stopped right there...he is feeling extremely un challenged..and it shows on his face..especially during the cote fight...and i think the other part may be that he doesn't want to hurt any body..he is a great person..and i think he loves to compete in the ufc..but i really don't think he enjoys beating up stiffs like Irvin and Cote..my opinion..:)

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      so do you think leites is just another "stiff" or what? If so, who else do you think could give him problems and challenge him?

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  5. Joe Ting Tok 5 months ago

    Even you idol, Anderson Silva, confirmed the staph thing just let it go. Nog was in hospital and was released 2 weeks before the fight. Believe it

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  6. jason hughes 5 months ago

    I THINK IF AN ANDERSON SILVA FIGHT WENT THE DISTANCE THIS SITE WOULD SHUT DOWN, come on people i hate to say this but everybody needs to step back and take a breath. Silva may or may not be the best pound for pound fighter in the world, i think he is the second best, but the point is that FEDOR, GSP,PENN have all one fights via decsion, some were not even a majority desicion, fedor has very many wins by decision . I think if the cote fight would have continued and lasted the entire five rounds Anderson would have one by decision thats fighting, nobody is gonna tko or submit every figher that they ever face and niether will silvaPLEASE DONT THINK IM HATING i just thought we all were going just a little overboard for right now,still have much love for everyone who shared opinions on this fine article, please dont everybody bash me at once.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Derek Bolender 5 months ago

      Jason - thanks for the feedback. You might be right. Maybe a bunch of us are jumping to conclusions w/ regards to silva. I don't think a decision victory over cote would have been a bad thing but I simply felt like his demeanor showed he was mentally elsewhere regardless of the outcome of the fight. He'll get a chance to put this all to rest in a couple months I suppose ...

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

    • Asylum

    Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »

    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.