What Doesn't Kill You, Makes You Stronger: Reuniting UFC's Team Black House

Following the disappointing performance by UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and former UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida’s knockout loss, Team Black House looks to be steadily coming together.

The group of fighters are supporting their fellow members and are training with each other.

Black House founder, and manager to UFC fighters like Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida, Ed Soares has admitted that his team hasn’t put in the proper effort to help Black House fighters achieve success inside the octagon.

It became apparent following Machida’s loss in his rematch with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 113 last month.

Soares says reuniting is a necessity if this group of talented fighters wants to continue, or regain, their success in the UFC. 

The message must have been loud and clear because the entire team came out in full support, accompanying fellow teammate Antonio Rogerio Nogueira to the octagon for his clash against UFC light-heavyweight Jason Brillz at UFC 114.

They were also in attendance at the UFC expo over the UFC 114 weekend and seemed to be in great spirits. 

Anderson Silva and WEC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo took turns poking fun at the media, taking over the duties of a reporter and cameraman.

Machida and Silva also grappled and learned some wrestling tips from Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight Champion Muhammad ‘King Mo’ Lawal. Lawal frequently trains with the Brazilian-based crew, but isn’t actually a member.

Now that Team Black House has reformed and are in full support of one another, this group could be primed for future success.

Anderson “The Spider” Silva

The middleweight kingpin hasn't impressed in his last few fights, to say the least.

Silva has stated that he wants the best fights possible, but the opponents that have been put in front of him are well below his level of competition. They do not seem to motivate the Brazilian.

His latest lackluster win over fellow Brazilian Damien Maia at UFC 112 had fans calling for a refund.

Silva, arguably the pound-for-pound best fighter today, even received harsh words from UFC President Dana White.

White openly stated in an interview on Jim Rome is Burning that Silva would be cut from the UFC if he repeated the same antics again following UFC 112. 

Silva’s next fight will come against middleweight contender Chael Sonnen at UFC 117, which will likely be an easy win for “The Spider”. A victory over Sonnen would then lead to an anticipated showdown between Silva and Vitor Belfort by the end of the year.

White’s recent comments, and Sonnen’s recent trash-talking, most likely will not cause fear in Silva, but it could definitely motivate him to pull off the stellar performances MMA fans know he’s capable of delivering.

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida

They say losing defines a true champion’s heart.

Machida suffered the first loss of his career at the hands of Shogun Rua. And it couldn’t have come in a more devastating fashion. 

Machida lost the belt, got knocked out, and lost less than three minutes into the opening round.

It is no shame to lose to a caliber fighter like Shogun, but the elusive karate fighter did not look like himself inside the octagon.

He appeared hesitant and uncertain of his abilities.

Reports are surfacing that Machida and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will do battle later this year. The winner will likely receive a title shot by year’s end.

Facing off against Jackson would surely motivate Machida to come back a better, more challenging fighter.

And adding some wrestling into his arsenal of moves from Lawal wouldn’t hurt, nor would perfecting his stand-up with close friend and teammate Anderson Silva.

A win could slot Machida in to face off against either Rashad Evans or Rua. Whoever battles with “The Dragon”, once he returns, better come prepared.

A stronger and more well-rounded Lyoto Machida could very well tally up more wins than losses on his record.

Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos

The young heavyweight burst onto the scene with an impressive knockout win over UFC veteran Fabricio Werdum at UFC 90.

“Cigano” followed up with another win over 6’11” heavyweight Stefan Struve and put the UFC heavyweight division on notice when he disposed of Pride FC legend Mirko Cro Cop with ease at UFC 103.

Demonstrating quick movement and explosive power in both hands, Dos Santos is an up-and-coming prospect that has all the skills to be UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Dos Santos will square off vs. Roy “Big Country” Nelson at UFC 117, which shouldn’t be a hard test for the Brazilian.

If he makes quick work of Nelson, look for Dos Santos to receive tier competition against either Shane Carwin or fellow heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez, should neither man get past UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar.

From there, he would look to dethrone the behemoth Lesnar and capture the heavyweight title.

Training alongside Antonio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueria and Anderson Silva should be the least of his opponents’ worries. What’s scarier is that Dos Santos is only 25 years old. And he keeps getting better with each fight.

Antonio Rogerio “Lil Nog” Nogueria

Nogueira is the twin brother of heavyweight fighter Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueria and is an MMA veteran, despite only having fought twice in the UFC. In his debut, “Lil Nog” dispatched fellow Brazilian Luis Arthur Cane after a hard left cross sent him to the canvas.

His most recent win over Jason Brillz was controversial, but still a win nonetheless on his record.

Nogueira has great technique in his punches and is as tough as nails, just like his older brother.

Noguiera will face off against Forrest Griffin later this year and will look to make it three in a row inside the octagon.

There is no question that Noguiera wants to rematch the Light-Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua following his loss to him in Pride FC, a fight that he feels he won.

“Lil Nog” might have to wait in line before he gets a shot, assuming that his fellow teammate Machida earns a rematch. If Machida falls victim to Shogun again, you can bet Nogueira would be more than happy to defend his friend’s honor and avenge his loss.

Jose “Junior” Aldo

The current WEC Featherweight Champion is one of the youngest members to come out of Team Black House and is one of the most powerful and dynamic strikers in the WEC.

Some fans look at Aldo as the “Anderson Silva of the Featherweight division” and the young Brazilian’s stats certainly add to that statement.

Since debuting in the WEC in 2008, the 24-year old has been dominant, recording wins over former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Thomas Brown and longtime Featherweight Champion and fan favorite Uriah Faber.

Although he holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, lately Aldo has been establishing himself as a striker. The five of his past seven fights have come by way of knockout. What’s even more impressive is Aldo has only lost once in his past 19 fights, and that was five years ago.

Aldo will look to make his second title defense against Featherweight contender Manny Gamburian sometime later this year. UFC fans might get the chance to see the dynamic Brazilian compete in the octagon in the near future.

UFC President Dana White made it clear at UFC 114 fan expo that Aldo would need to defend "a couple more times" before heading to the UFC.

If Aldo’s stats mean anything, then this young Brazilian will be a dominant force wherever he competes.

Picture Credit: MMAJunnkie.com