Griffin VS. Silva at UFC 101: No Tangible Rewards But a Win Win For All

There is a man walking this earth that many consider one of the top pound for pound Mixed Martial Arts fighters on the planet.  Anderson "The Spider" Silva is that man.

Even with the Ultimate Fighting Championship gold around his waist, and the P4P recognition though, it seems Silva has fallen out of favor with many MMA fans. 

While no one in their right mind would doubt Silva's skill, or his abilities, many have come to question his motivation. 

Even in dominating performances in his last two fights, Silva's approach left much to be desired.  We have seen the highs and lows of Silva's fight prowess, and all of it revolved around control.

It seems control has gone to Silva's head and that is now how he chooses to defeat fighters.  Not necessarily by beating them but controlling them to victory if they cannot challenge him. 

After decimating some top names in the sport quickly and without question, recently two lesser fighters were able to stretch Silva out and avoid his devastating attack, partially because the attack was dormant. 

They really couldn't challenge him in the slightest.  Still that should not have stopped him from destroying them and taking those victories.  Alas he was content to just let the wins happen.

Now Silva finds himself in strange waters.  He once before dipped his toe into the light heavyweight pool and destroyed James Irvin in classic Silva Style.  Then Silva went home to middleweight.  His return to LHW is upon us.

Waiting for Silva is a man who no one would dare count out of any fight.  Waiting for Silva is a man with a heart made of the same granite his chin is made of.  Waiting for Silva is Forrest Griffin.

Griffin is a man who can bring Silva back to the fight game.  He is a man who can finally force Silva to fight again, not just win. 

That is assuming that a Silva win is the expected outcome.  Do not bet the farm though.

If Griffin has proved one thing it is that he is never to be taken lightly.  Underdog means nothing to this guy.  All that really seems to matter is the fight itself.  He loves to fight, and will never just go through the motions.

See, the UFC is in a tight spot with Silva.  The guy talks about retirement more than his opponents.  He is more focused on old school boxer Roy Jones Jr. than he is on his own title.

Silva is distracted, and that makes for a lackluster champion.  The UFC is hard pressed to find a man to challenge Silva, or even get him up for a fight.  This left them with no option but to move him up.

Zuffa played this one perfectly.  There is no better thing to motivate and refocus Silva than to prove to him he is NOT indestructible.  That is NOT above the game.  That there are fighters still out there able and waiting to test him.

Griffin will prove that to Silva.  Even if Forrest loses to the Spider, he will do so by means of absolute war.  It will take the very best Silva has to put Griffin away. 

The last time the best Silva was on display was upon his last visit to the light heavyweight  division.  We have all been waiting for the real Spider to stand back up.  That time is finally upon us. 

While he's bringing his best he had best prepare for Forrest's best because that is all Forrest knows to bring.  Coming off a championship loss, expect nothing less than a highly motivated Forrest Griffin.

See this is where everyone, The UFC, Anderson, Forrest, and most of all the fans will benefit from this match up.  Imagine what the best Forrest Griffin can bring out of the best Anderson Silva.

One has to imagine this may be one for the ages.  A man who doesn't know how to lose will be fighting a man who refuses to lose.   Both are at the top of their games. 

Even with no tangible rewards on the table, the biggest reward will once again come in the fight itself.  The fight is why we grew to love the Spider; the fight is why Forrest is an icon in the sport.

Again the fight is the reward, and one has to imagine this reward will pay handsomely.

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