UFC 183: Silva vs Diaz

[wandshogun09]

Closing out a loaded January will be this on the 31st...

 

 

PPV MAIN CARD

Anderson Silva vs Nick Diaz

Tyron Woodley vs Kelvin Gastelum

Joe Lauzon vs Al Iaquinta

Tim Boetsch vs Thales Leites

Thiago Alves vs Jordan Mein

 

FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS

Miesha Tate vs Sara McMann

Ian McCall vs John Lineker

Ed Herman vs Derek Brunson

Rafael Natal vs Tom Watson

 

FIGHT PASS PRELIMS

Diego Brandao vs Jim Hettes

Ildemar Alcantara vs Richardson Moreira

Thiago Santos vs Andy Enz

 

What a hell of a card that is! The main event isn't quite the monster that Jones vs Cormier was, but it's still pretty fucking huge, right? It's two of the biggest names from different weight classes, returning from layoffs to fight each other. And I'd say as an overall card, this is actually better than UFC 182. More depth here for me.

 

Silva vs Diaz, like I said, is a big fight. Pretty much a Superfight even though Diaz hasn't had a very successful UFC run this time. Just based on Anderson's legacy and both their popularity, plus the fact that they're both returning from a long time out - it makes this fight feel must-see.

 

As we all know, Anderson's last fight ended in gruesome fashion.

 

 

 

That was the unfortunate result of Anderson's leg kick being checked by Chris Weidman. Anderson's been on the shelf a whole year since and took quite a long time to even walk again. His family begged him to retire and even he admits he thought he was done when the injury first happened..

 

"I went through the worst month of my life. It was a lot of pain the moment when I broke my leg. When I realized my leg was broken, I thought my career was over. So a million things went through my mind.

 

You might think that depression is not something serious, but I was depressed. I was very upset, and if I didn't have the people that I have by my side, maybe I wouldn't come back.

 

Right after I got injured and I recuperated and I started kicking, I didn't have a lot of strength. I lost some strength in my leg, which is normal, but now I'm recuperating and I'm working specific work to recuperate my strength in my leg. Everyday that goes by, I'm going back to my origins and being able to kick without any fear, and I believe that on fight night I will be 100-percent."

Silva's recovery went faster than most expected and his doctors even said they were surprised at just how quick he was recovering. So physically he'll probably be in excellent shape when he returns. The mystery is, what effect has all this had on him mentally? Kicking was a massive part of Anderson's game forever, but there's always the chance he might be hesitant to throw kicks with power now.

 

The Anderson Silva 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' promo;

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=fT-u1z5y-xw

 

Diaz last fought in March 2013, losing a one-sided decision to GSP. He then 'retired', saying he'd only come back for the money fights - either a GSP rematch or Anderson Silva. He stuck to his guns and wasn't enticed back when rumoured fights with the likes of Lyoto Machida, Hector Lombard, Matt Brown and Michael Bisping were either offered or at least heavily discussed on MMA news sites and forums. He stuck to his demands and it paid off when he signed a new deal a few months ago and the Anderson fight was announced.

 

There hasn't been much in the way of trash talk and it's clear Diaz respects Anderson. But there was this Diaz quote which got Anderson's back up a bit...

 

"I'll tell you what, I think [silva] should fire his trainer and hire himself a boxing trainer that teaches him how to put punches out. I don't talk no shit. I ain't trying to talk no shit. Of course he's got as many fights as he wants to have, but people saying shit like, 'He should retire. He's not going to be the same.' I'm like, 'Fire your coach and get somebody to train your punches.'

 

His last fight, he had punches for [Chris Weidman], but he didn't have no punches. Know what I'm sayin'? That was the key. Putting punches out there but [silva] had no punches for that guy. So then he started lobbing kicks out there and you saw what happened to his leg. He didn't have no answer for it."

OK. I think I got that.

 

I've always said I think Anderson wins this fight. I just think Diaz is kind of tailor-made for Anderson's style. Even if Anderson is gun-shy with the kicks, I actually think he still beats Diaz in the boxing. Diaz fights exactly how Anderson likes his opponents to fight - he'll come forward and be aggressive. And Anderson is one of the best, if not THE best, counter strikers in MMA history. Also, if Anderson isn't dodgy about throwing leg kicks...we all know Diaz's never check leg kicks.

 

I just don't see how Diaz wins this, to be honest. He's a great fighter but I just think he matches up horribly with Anderson. I think it'll either be an Anderson KO within two rounds or Anderson picking him apart for the full 25 minutes while Diaz walks around the Octagon eating leg kicks and jabs, throwing slaps and missing, and saying "what, bitch?" over and over again. Hopefully he'll make a good fight of it though.

 

The Nick Diaz 'Don't Be Scared' promo;

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=qCjcZ0gw4vY

 

I don't know what the fuck to expect out of this fight. It's a big question mark to me, this fight. But I'm mega excited to see how it pans out.

 

Co-main event is Woodley vs Gastelum. Should be an excellent fight. Gastelum's a rising star in the division. He's young, he's exciting, he's aggressive and I'd say he's easily the best prospect to come of TUF in years. Well at least since Dillashaw in 2011. Wins over Uriah Hall, Rick Story and Jake Ellenberger already. This is his toughest test yet though. And I'm not sure he's ready for Woodley. Almost seems like Gastelum is rising too fast but we'll soon find out.

 

Alves vs Mein is surely a frontrunner for FOTN. This is one of those fights like Matt Brown vs Erick Silva where you can't see any way it won't be wall-to-wall violence. Alves looked like he hadn't missed a beat against Seth Baczynski last time out so I'm hoping he's been able to build on that since.

 

Tate vs McMann could be good. Could see it being a bit dull as well though. But the fight definitely makes sense. Both have lost to Ronda fairly recently so it gives them something to do while shit plays out. Tate looked pretty cack against Rin Nakai, I thought. Well not terrible but she probably should've looked better than she did. I think McMann wins this. Tate lacks power on the feet, and McMann's wrestling is much better.

 

McCall vs Lineker is back on. Was originally scheduled for the Shogun vs OSP Fight Night in Brazil but McCall pulled out after the weigh in with a virus or something. Probably another good fight and likely determines the next contender at flyweight.

 

I think that's the main card ^^ unless they switch it up last minute.

 

Standout prelim is definitely Lauzon vs Iaquinta. That's going to be a belter for sure. Boetsch vs Leites is...alright. Brandao vs Hettes should be fun.

 

So yeah, it's a strong card. Whether it's as good in practice as it is on paper remains to be seen obviously, but I can't wait for it.

 

[David]

That's a one fight card if you ask me. Best hope neither of the main event fighters gets injured otherwise they may as well just scrap the entire event.

[Supremo]

It might just be an indication of what shit cards we've had the past year or so, but that's a nice looking card to me. There's a good amount of names I know and a couple of fights that look great on paper. Of all the events to call a, "one fight show," this isn't really one of them.

[Egg Shen]

I understand that there's only one fight there that could rightfully sit on top of a marquee for a PPV event, but as a fight card, if that stays together it's excellent. #3 vs. #7 at 170 sitting in the co-main event slot, that's fitting billing for me.

 

The UFC isn't in a position where they can put a second PPV worthy main event in the co-main event slot in hope that the Main Event doesn't fall apart.

[wandshogun09]

Yeah, I think there's a good four or five excellent fights there. Silva vs Diaz is obviously where it's at but Woodley vs Gastelum, Alves vs Mein, Lineker vs Creepy and Lauzon vs Iaquinta are all great fights on paper. And there's importance to a couple of them as well. Lineker vs Creepy is probably a title eliminator, and Gastelum and Iaquinta could have real breakthrough performances against established opponents.

 

If you just mean that there's no other fight on the card that could headline the PPV if Silva vs Diaz went tits up, I agree with that. But it's very, very rarely the case these days that a co-main event is actually worthy of headlining a PPV itself anyway. Look at 182, if Jones vs Cormier got scrapped you couldn't really have Cerrone vs Jury top the PPV. There's still plenty on the card to like, I reckon. A bigger co-main would've been nice, but I think it's still a really good card all in all.

 

The phrase 'one fight card' to me is more when you have a card where there's literally only one fight worth being arsed about. UFC 179 was kind of a 'one fight card' to me, with only Aldo vs Mendes being really something to get excited about. Rest of that card was pretty poor. Some of the Fight Nights are 'one fight shows' as well. But this card has a bunch of fights I'm really looking forward to.

[Egg Shen]

Same here

[Shane O' Mac Version 2]

 

In a time when, yeah, we have had cards with only one fight to get arsed about, this is like a late Christmas present. I even love those prelims. Lauzon vs. Iaquinta will be all-action, Brandao vs. Hettes should be exciting and diverse with a real "striker vs. grappler" vibe, and Thales Leites has been really good since returning, and Boestch has his moments. I like Ed Herman too, even though I think his time has passed. I actually thought he retired for some reason.

 

Then the main card. If UFC 182 taught us anything, it's that just because a card looks good on paper, doesn't mean you're guaranteed entertainment. This one will be big, though, and I think there's more probability of fireworks with the fighters involved. I can't remember a boring Tyron Woodley fight, and Gastelum is really coming into his own. Huge opportunity to make a statement on a card that is bound to get a fuck ton of eyeballs.

 

Alves is another that doesn't have boring fights, and I'm really keen to see him healthy again. Mein proved he can get into firefights with Matt Brown, maybe not with flying colours, but he's pretty tough.

 

Tate's arse on PPV, can't argue with that. Seriously though, she was lackluster against Rin Nakai, and she hasn't really impressed in the UFC. If it wasn't for her sex appeal she'd probably be buried on the prelims. McMann should run right through her.

 

McCall's a funny one. He shows flashes of excitement to match his personality, but often he lacks the aggression. He can't afford to be tentative against Lineker. For fuck's sake, Lineker, hit 125!

 

And Silva vs. Diaz is a hugely meaningful fight. Does Silva make a triumphant return for the storybook ending, or has he lost it and will drop 3 straight? Unthinkable two years ago, but here we are. Diaz will be at a disadvantage size-wise, but he's younger and should be faster. It depends how motivated Nick is, the Diaz's are weird dudes. Nick's another one who has really failed to impress in the UFC in this run. Talks a big game but hasn't truly delivered since Paul Daley.

[David]

If you just mean that there's no other fight on the card that could headline the PPV if Silva vs Diaz went tits up, I agree with that. But it's very, very rarely the case these days that a co-main event is actually worthy of headlining a PPV itself anyway. Look at 182, if Jones vs Cormier got scrapped you couldn't really have Cerrone vs Jury top the PPV. There's still plenty on the card to like, I reckon. A bigger co-main would've been nice, but I think it's still a really good card all in all.

 

That's exactly what I meant. At least they could have pointed to Cerrone being somewhat of a known name and a guy who is on a roll of sorts. This card has none of that.

 

There's plenty to like, but it's a lot easier to like it when you're either getting it on BT Sports or via torrents. It ain't so likeable when you're being asked to put down $60 for it in my opinion.

 

Just like they did a while back, the UFC have bumped the price of the 182, 183 & 184 up by $5.

 

Would anyone here honestly spend £40 on this show if we didn't get it via BT Sports?

[Supremo]

If spending £35 to £40 was the customary way in which I watched these shows, and in the past twelve months there had been similarly priced events headlined by TJ Dillashaw and Demetrious fucking Johnson, then yeah. I'd gladly throw an extra five dollars down to see this. It's leagues ahead of what they've been putting out recently. If we're imagining that we live in America then this show would also make it loads easier to throw a PPV party, have a couple of mates come over, and split the bill. With some of the cards we had in 2014 you'd be lucky if anyone wanted to come over. This show however is the perfect type of show where people would gladly come round and make an event out of it.

 

The main event alone features two of the biggest stars on the roster, both returning after long layoffs, with a million questions to be answered, brimming with story and emotion, in a fight that is almost guaranteed to be fun.

 

Add to that a load of recognisable names, some good fights on paper and a title eliminator, it is genuinely baffling as to why you've chosen this card to be the one worth whinging about.

 

It's a good lineup with a little bit of everything. It might not have a semi-main event that you could use as a back-up should the real main event fall apart, but then how many shows do? I can't think of many.

 

I'd genuinely argue that if we're playing the "remove the main event," game then this is a better card than 182 overall. Nearly the whole show features guys I've heard of, most of which I know well, and like to see fight. That alone is an improvement on last night's offering.

[lambyUK]

I tell you what, one thing about sticking all these big fight events so close together may really fuck the UFC over in terms of buys.

As David and others have mentioned, this is close to £40 for a PPV in the US now. We have 2 PPV's in January alone. Would anyone here pay £80 in 1 month to watch MMA? I certainly wouldn't and my wife would kill me if I did. I'm sure fans in the US are the same.

 

I'm pretty sure the potential success of 182 may hinder the success of 183.

 

That said, David is right here. This is a one fight card. The headliner drops from this and there's no doubt the event will be cancelled. However, I guess the same really could have been said for 182. There's no way Cerrone could headline a PPV currently in my eyes, especially against Myles Jury.

[David]

That said, David is right here. This is a one fight card. The headliner drops from this and there's no doubt the event will be cancelled. However, I guess the same really could have been said for 182. There's no way Cerrone could headline a PPV currently in my eyes, especially against Myles Jury.

 

Yeah, I'm not saying that the event won't be good, but I'm not entirely convinced that it would appeal any more to me simply based on it being less of a poor offering than previous poor offerings as someone said.

 

The UFC have seen a quite substantial drop in profit over the past year or so, and I really don't think that they're going about fixing the problem in the correct way. Bumping PPV prices by $5 and hiring short-term fixes in ex-pro wrestlers smells very much like WCW-esque tactics in my opinion.

 

The truth is, their PPV offerings simply aren't special anymore, and they're basically taking what should be two quality PPV's and breaking them down into three offerings to try and boost their cash intake, which may work I guess, but it's very fucking risky when you're talking about injuries and guys falling out of fights, especially when one of those events is resting on the health of a guy who's almost 40, who broke his leg in horrific fashion and who's been out for over a year.

 

Over January and February, a period of just under 60 days we're going to have seven UFC events, three of which will cost their primary market $60 a pop. That's $180, or just shy of £120 in 60 days, on top of a cable subscription and a FOX subscription, and a matter of weeks after Christmas. Absolutely insane.

[Egg Shen]

the one fight card argument is getting silly, 183 is a very solid show top to bottom. The co-main event slot should house a very solid match with meaningul implications and it has one in Woodley/Gastelum, winner of that is right in the mix at 170. On certain occasions the UFC gives you two stone cold main events on one event, but that's not a regular thing, it wasn't during the 'boom' either.

 

For example, UFC 102: If Couture/Nogueira fell apart, would Jardine/Thiago Silva have rightfully headlined the PPV?, UFC 104 if Machida/Rua disappeard would Velasquez/Rothwell headlined? UFC 77 if Bisping/Evans fell apart would Thiago Silva/Houston fucking Alexander headlined? you can go on and on.

[Egg Shen]

 

Over January and February, a period of just under 60 days we're going to have seven UFC events, three of which will cost their primary market $60 a pop. That's $180, or just shy of £120 in 60 days, on top of a cable subscription and a FOX subscription, and a matter of weeks after Christmas. Absolutely insane.

 

i can't say i argue with that though, we should count ourselves lucky that we dont have to shell out them.

[David]

the one fight card argument is getting silly, 183 is a very solid show top to bottom. The co-main event slot should house a very solid match with meaningul implications and it has one in Woodley/Gastelum, winner of that is right in the mix at 170. On certain occasions the UFC gives you two stone cold main events on one event, but that's not a regular thing, it wasn't during the 'boom' either.

 

For example, UFC 102: If Couture/Nogueira fell apart, would Jardine/Thiago Silva have rightfully headlined the PPV?, UFC 104 if Machida/Rua disappeard would Velasquez/Rothwell headlined? UFC 77 if Bisping/Evans fell apart would Thiago Silva/Houston fucking Alexander headlined? you can go on and on.

 

Aside from that being a different era for the sport, the UFC ran 19 events in that year, 15 on PPV compared to 45 scheduled events this year, 13 on PPV. The UFC shows were a lot less frequent, meaning less fights, less fighters, less injuries, and most importantly, more opportunity to build a fight up. To make the crowd care.

 

Look at the card for 184. To me, that's a card worthy of PPV. Sure, I'm not a fan of female MMA, but it's a card with two quality fights featuring either star attractions or champions.

 

I just think that if you're asking people to throw down $60, you really should be giving them more than one fight of that calibre. PPV's really aren't special enough to warrant that kind of money, and I think the drop off in PPV buys over recent years shows that.

[lambyUK]

the one fight card argument is getting silly, 183 is a very solid show top to bottom. The co-main event slot should house a very solid match with meaningul implications and it has one in Woodley/Gastelum, winner of that is right in the mix at 170. On certain occasions the UFC gives you two stone cold main events on one event, but that's not a regular thing, it wasn't during the 'boom' either.

 

For example, UFC 102: If Couture/Nogueira fell apart, would Jardine/Thiago Silva have rightfully headlined the PPV?, UFC 104 if Machida/Rua disappeard would Velasquez/Rothwell headlined? UFC 77 if Bisping/Evans fell apart would Thiago Silva/Houston fucking Alexander headlined? you can go on and on.

 

Whilst you are right Ebb with those last fights, we are at a day and age where injuries and drop outs are of the norm. Whilst obviously it happened back then, fighters would seem more open to fighting hurt. Since that Jon Jones/Henderson debacle (and Mendes/Aldo), I think the UFC need to have 2 fights on their PPV's that could easily headline.

 

For me, a co-main should be big and should be able to slot in as a main event if necessary of a PPV. Gastelum/Woodley is not. As a placement that fight is a 3rd tier fight (out of 5).

 

Edit: David wrote something similar..I had this written a while a go, but someone came into the office just before clicking the post button.