UFC 101: Anderson Silva Vs. Forrest Griffin

I have been filling my time with random posts such as Shaq and Beckham talk, and laughing at pregnant Hooters chicks, but it is now time to get down to business.

UFC 101 is getting close!  It is just a few short weeks away.  I am even more excited than normal because I will be in the stands. 

The main event for this very impressive fight card is one that really makes sense.  Anderson Silva has been looking for an opponent that will stand in front of him and fight.  Joe Silva and the UFC filled this much needed void with none other than Forrest Griffin.

I was shocked when they announced this bout, but in a good way.  This has the making to be an incredible battle.

Forrest Griffin is quickly taking over as the face of the UFC.  Since his amazing fight with Stephan Bonnar he has continued to get better almost every time he steps into the cage.  If he is going to have a chance in this one, then he will have to be the best he has ever been.

In this fight he will have the size advantage, but not as much as you would think.  Anderson is a very long fighter that uses his reach very well.  Being bigger may not be as much of an advantage as you would think.

If Forrest is going to win this fight, he will have to do his best Randy Couture impression.  Where his size advantage could be a factor is in the clinch.  I am not talking about the Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin clinch.  I am talking about Silva having his back on the cage feeling the weight of Forrest.

If Forrest can do this, then he will able to push his own version of dirty boxing taking away the strengths of Silva.  He could then control the fight and squeeze out a victory.

The only other way that Forrest could win is by using a suffocating ground game.  Anderson is long and lanky.  He is very strong but over three rounds he can be pushed, especially if that is on the ground.

Forrest Griffin has been specifically training and improving his wrestling.  Don't be surprised if his game plan is to take the BJJ Black Belt down and smother him.  He may not be able to submit him, but he could smother him, wear him down, and get that win.

When it comes to Anderson Silva, he is the best fighter in the world.  He has not only cleaned out his division (twice), he is now having to bounce between two weight classes in search of competition.

Everyone knows his strengths, but if Silva is going to win this fight he should keep doing what is working.

Anderson can use his hands, feet, elbows, and knees to KO his opponent.  As I said before he is a very long and lanky fighter, but his most under talked about asset is his quickness.

In most of his fights Anderson seems like he is dancing.  That is exactly what he needs to do with Forrest.  Dance all around the cage, using the angles created as windows to strike.

This is a three round fight.  Silva can bounce around and avoid Forrest for that amount of time.  The fans may not like it, and the boo birds may come out in force, but it is a sure way for Silva to get the win.

We also know that Forrest can be knocked out and Anderson has KO'd people. This is a very bad combination and could result for an unhappy evening for Forrest.

In terms of a prediction in this fight, I wish I could say Forrest, but I can't.  Anderson Silva is the best fighter in the world.  While I think he is due for a loss, I don't think it will be in this fight.

I think Silva's next loss will come at the hands of someone we don't expect.  At some point Silva will under train and get caught.  He will be his own worst enemy. 

Forrest will give this one a go, and will make it a great fight for fans, but in the end Silva will be too quick.  His striking is heads and shoulders above anyone in the UFC and in this fight he will show it again.