Naj85
08-01-2015, 21:21
MMAjunkie
Anderson Silva*could be one victory away from a third crack at UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, according to company president Dana White.
White stated in a recent interview on FOX Sports 1’s “UFC Tonight” that Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) is likely to face the winner of UFC 184’s title bout between Weidman and Vitor Belfort should he get past Nick Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) at UFC 183 later this month.
“Diaz and Anderson Silva are fighting, and obviously if Anderson Silva wins that fight, and whether Vitor or Weidman win, then you have Anderson Silva versus either one of those guys,” White said.
Silva bout with Diaz, which takes place Jan. 31 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, is his first since he*suffered a broken leg*against Weidman at UFC 168 in December 2013.
The shocking finish marked Silva’s second consecutive defeat after Weidman ended his more than six-year run as middleweight champion at UFC 162.
“The Spider” has not registered a win in the UFC’s middleweight division since his July 2012 knockout of Chael Sonnen. Despite that, White said he’s set to receive a title shot with a win over Diaz, who has not won a UFC bout since he battered B.J. Penn at UFC 137 in October 2011.
White does not believe a Silva victory over Diaz is a given, though. He has concerns about the 39-year-old’s mental state after the*serious leg injury, and if he’s not the same fighter he once was, Diaz could capitalize.
“It’s a very interesting fight,” White said. “After the injury that Anderson Silva had, where is he going to be mentally? I think physically he’s a guy that does the right things, works hard. He’s been working since the injury happened. He’s definitely going to be in shape.
“Will he throw the leg kicks the way that he used to throw them? How’s he going to feel when he gets back into competition? Sparring and training is much different than getting in there and fighting.”
For more on*UFC 183, check out the*UFC Rumorssection of the site.
Anderson Silva*could be one victory away from a third crack at UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, according to company president Dana White.
White stated in a recent interview on FOX Sports 1’s “UFC Tonight” that Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) is likely to face the winner of UFC 184’s title bout between Weidman and Vitor Belfort should he get past Nick Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) at UFC 183 later this month.
“Diaz and Anderson Silva are fighting, and obviously if Anderson Silva wins that fight, and whether Vitor or Weidman win, then you have Anderson Silva versus either one of those guys,” White said.
Silva bout with Diaz, which takes place Jan. 31 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, is his first since he*suffered a broken leg*against Weidman at UFC 168 in December 2013.
The shocking finish marked Silva’s second consecutive defeat after Weidman ended his more than six-year run as middleweight champion at UFC 162.
“The Spider” has not registered a win in the UFC’s middleweight division since his July 2012 knockout of Chael Sonnen. Despite that, White said he’s set to receive a title shot with a win over Diaz, who has not won a UFC bout since he battered B.J. Penn at UFC 137 in October 2011.
White does not believe a Silva victory over Diaz is a given, though. He has concerns about the 39-year-old’s mental state after the*serious leg injury, and if he’s not the same fighter he once was, Diaz could capitalize.
“It’s a very interesting fight,” White said. “After the injury that Anderson Silva had, where is he going to be mentally? I think physically he’s a guy that does the right things, works hard. He’s been working since the injury happened. He’s definitely going to be in shape.
“Will he throw the leg kicks the way that he used to throw them? How’s he going to feel when he gets back into competition? Sparring and training is much different than getting in there and fighting.”
For more on*UFC 183, check out the*UFC Rumorssection of the site.