UFC: Who Can Beat Silva and Machida? Arizona State!

Okay, enough is enough.

I’ve read one too many blog posts about the unbeatable Brazilians, Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida, over the past few days—I've even written a few myself.

Middleweight champ Anderson Silva is a great fighter, yes, but he is not unbeatable as many people have argued. The same goes for newly crowned light heavyweight champ, Lyoto Machida.

What’s the formula for defeating the boys from Brazil? I don’t necessarily think a “well-rounded fighter” is the answer, simply because these two guys are so well-rounded.

Machida and Silva are excellent strikers, with very good takedown defense and good ground skills. Arguing backwards, however, I think a fighter with great takedowns and ground skills (and perhaps a decent chin?) has at least a fighting chance.

Dan Henderson was able to take down Silva, but he tired quickly. Travis Lutter, whose wrestling skills are competent at best, was also able to take down Silva, though he didn’t seem to have the heart to keep him there.

Are there any wrestlers at 185 pounds who might be able to (a) take Silva down and (b) control him for three out of five rounds without getting knocked out?

What about C.B. Dollaway, former ASU wrestling standout and runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter season 7?

I know, I know, he’s still young, but just give him a year, or two. I think he has a real chance to make his mark as a middleweight.

Dollaway’s college teammate, Ryan Bader, winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 8, is a takedown machine with great potential at light heavyweight. He’s not ready for guys like Machida and Silva right now, but keep him on your radar.

Use your imagination, folks. Who’s to say a Devil can’t slay a Dragon?