UFC 97: Silva vs Leites

[bleSs]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7e/New97poster.jpg/418px-New97poster.jpg

UFC 97: APRIL 18, 2009
venue: Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada



Main Card
Middleweight Championship bout: Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites
Light Heavyweight bout: Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio Rua
Light Heavyweight bout: Luiz Cane vs. Steve Cantwell
Light Heavyweight bout: Brian Stann vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Middleweight bout: Denis Kang vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam

Preliminary Card
Middleweight bout: David Loiseau vs. Ed Herman
Lightweight bout: Matt Wiman vs. Sam Stout
Middleweight bout: Jason MacDonald vs. Nate Quarry
Welterweight bout: Ryo Chonan vs. TJ Grant
Lightweight bout: David Bielkheden vs. Mark Bocek


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[bail3yz]

Anderson Silva for sure.. but I wouldnt be super shocked if he lost :)

[bleSs]

Anderson Silva for sure.. but I wouldnt be super shocked if he lost :)

If Anderson lost that would make for the biggest upset lol

[admin]

Can't wait for Liddell to return, but too bad it's against Shogun

[bleSs]

Can't wait for Liddell to return, but too bad it's against Shogun

Yeah if shogun comes prepared Chuck will be in for a night of pain lol

[MJB23]

I'm really excited for the Shogun/Liddell fight.

Hopefully we finally get to see the Shogun we all love.

[bleSs]

I'm really excited for the Shogun/Liddell fight.

Hopefully we finally get to see the Shogun we all love.

I am a big Chuck fan and i would like to see him go out on top.. Beat Shogun and Than Forrest if that happens than his tile shot win or loose..

[bail3yz]

I'm really excited for the Shogun/Liddell fight.

Hopefully we finally get to see the Shogun we all love.

Hopefully not :)

I am going to bet on Chuck.. if shogun looks anything like he did in his last fight hes going to get punished.. Dana really put him in a bad spot.

[MJB23]

I am a big Chuck fan and i would like to see him go out on top.. Beat Shogun and Than Forrest if that happens than his tile shot win or loose..

I like Chuck too and would hate to see him go out with a lose but I'm a bigger Shogun fan and I just really wanna see the old Shogun.

Hopefully not :)

I am going to bet on Chuck.. if shogun looks anything like he did in his last fight hes going to get punished.. Dana really put him in a bad spot.

I'll be betting on Chuck too based on Shogun's fight with Forrest and Coleman but I'd be fine with losing if it meant the old Shogun was back.

[Kingofkings]

Had to go with Anderson in this fight....


Chuck vs. Shogun is going to be really interesting....it's time for Shogun to show up if he is going to inside the octagon. He looked terrible in his lost to Forrest, and looked even worse in his win over Coleman. If Shogun can't cardio, then Chuck will win this fight via KO.

Either way its a interesting fight, and to me a must win on both sides.

[Sewaside]

Anderson of course I just wish with Gracie's streak in the balance they didn't leave the streak to be broken by Andy fighting a nobody

[Norway1]

i actually think Shogun is gonna take this. Liddell has become too predictable and Shogun imo has a few more tricks up his sleeve than Liddell

[DRAGON]

Silva takes this. As for Shogun/Liddell, I'm still on the fence about that.

[SuvacoWawaweewa]

Anderson will finish Thales with strikes before Thales can get it to the ground. I don't know if I trust Thales's wrestling enough to bet on him getting Silva down.

Chuck v Shogun is pretty difficult to predict, because we don't know how Shogun will look. I'm going to assume Shogun does not come to the fight in shape, and gasses after round 1. After that Chuck will eventually finish the fight via TKO.

[FunkYou]

Anderson should win with the same leel of ease he has in his other UFC fights.

Chuck / Shogun - This could be a really bad match up for Shogun. Despite getting blown out by Rashad in the last fight his chin has never been a problem before and he has KO power. I also can't see Rua getting this to the floor either. All in all I see a UD for Chuck or possible late stoppage.

[SuvacoWawaweewa]

Anderson of course I just wish with Gracie's streak in the balance they didn't leave the streak to be broken by Andy fighting a nobody
1. Thales isn't a nobody.
2. Royce pretty much beat nothing but nobody's.

[Norway1]

2. Royce pretty much beat nothing but nobody's.

they werent nobodies back in the day. if they fought in their prime NOW then they would loose as hell HOWEVER im pretty sure that will be the case for todays fighters in 10 years time also. So i still think Royces achivement was a great one , is it the greatest achivement ever... no

[kc1983]

I'm picking Anderson in the main event. Obviously :D
Lately I don't see how anyone can bet against the guy.

The Liddell/Shogun fight is something I too am really looking forward to. As I have mentioned before, I think this will be an all out war! Both of these guys know that Dana has some high expectations from both of them, so they're gonna be ready and in shape. They're both between a rock and a hard place right now.

[eric2004bc]

im exited for the shogun Vs chuck fight, hopefully we get to see the old shogun AND the old chuck for one hell of a battle, and i realy wnats anderson to win this fight, i hope anderson continues to win every fight up until he fights bisping so then bisping can bring the smackdown on his ufc record :D

[Negative2]

I am really interested in both these matchups. I believe Leites will get it to the ground and everyone who is betting on Anderson will have butterfly's in their stomache's.

The other fight is pretty much a make or break for both fighters. I can't see the loser of this battle be the man they once were. Unless this fight turn's out to be more action packed than Liddell/Silva was.

[Brad.Taschuk]

I'm not so sure Leites will even be close to taking Anderson down. I'm actually starting to think the Anderson that we saw against Cote might in fact be the way he approaches fights now. A little more cautious, attacking in smaller bursts and then moving in for the kill when he has someone stunned.

As for the Shogun/Liddell fight, my heart is too invested to confidently be able to pick for or against Shogun. I WANT him to come back with a full gas tank, but I'm not overly confident in that happening. I think him coming after Chuck like he came after guys in PRIDE would actually give Chuck a lot of problems, because Shogun isn't exactly easy to stop and I think Chuck is a step slower than he was when he was knocking everyone out with counterpunches.

The undercard on this fight is just insane too. Any fight on the undercard could at the very least be a swing bout on any other PPV. This would be an awesome card to see live.

[KJ Brophy]

I can't wait for this card. I know some people are down on it but I am excited for every fight on the main card

[yorT]

I got Anderson winning this fight and as far as Shogun/Chuck man I really hope Shogun wins this. I will be pissed if he shows up with no gas tank.

[Suizida]

Anderson Silva breaks the record and continues his streak. Which i think is great, and i hope he doesnt go near LHW cause the MW division is now filled with competitors for the title. Okami, Marquadt/Maia, Bisping/Hendo, Sexyama

Alot of good fights coming up for him

Chuck v Shogun: I hope Shogun comes with a full gas tank to show that he can still be the fighter he used to be. But i think with Chuck working at ATT now he is gonna show us somethings he never had before. I would love to see Chuck have one more hoorah at the title, like if he fought Forrest coming up.....man would the casual fans eat that fight up

[Negative2]

I forgot Luiz Cane is on this card. I hope he display's his potential in being a serial killer when he takes on Cantwell.

Cane vs Jones is what I want to see next.

[coldcall420]

def going with Anderson on this....i think he's gonna pick Thales apart.....

[JT42]

Well I think the poll says it all for the main event. Anderson wont let this go to the ground...he will get the tko before Thales gets a chance to go to the ground.

As for Liddell/Shogun, I know there is a lot of Rua love but really?? Even if he comes in shape with a gas tank you think his style can beat Chuck? I am not an Iceman fan but I actually think Shogun's style plays more into Liddell's hands than did Wandy! I see Chuck getting a tko rather easily here

[JimDon]

Can't wait, this will be my first trip to montreal, Silva and Iceman KO's for everyone. Anyone else going to the fights?

[Alex_DeLarge]

If Anderson lost that would make for the biggest upset lol

It wouldn't be a bigger upset than if Cote beat him. That's for sure. Although on MMAF it wouldn't have been one considering a numerous amount of people actually picked Cote to win.

[PirateNinja415]

i really hope silva comes out and wins this fight decisively. as for chuck and shogun's fight, i'm not sure who i want to win. i love both fighters and a loss will really hurt both of their careers. can they draw please?

[randyspankstito]

You know I was just looking at the prelims again, and they would make an awesome Fight Night Card. They should have more cards instead of having people like louesau (sp? lol) and quarry and mcdonald and chonan fight untelevised fights. That just seems nutz to me.

[yorT]

Chonan, really? I haven't been that impressed with him lately. Seems he gives up to easly now.

[randyspankstito]

Chonan, really? I haven't been that impressed with him lately. Seems he gives up to easly now.

LOL not saying he should be the main event, but stick his fight in there with the rest of 'em, and you've got yourself a pretty entertaining night of fights, just on the prelims.

[zzTIGERzz81]

seriously who picked Leites...was someone feeling bad for the guy?

[KJ Brophy]

seriously who picked Leites...was someone feeling bad for the guy?

It was me and I am serious about it.

[PirateNinja415]

Leites can win this fight if he manages to hurt silva and sink in a sub while he's rocked, but i don't think that's going to happen. silva is going to methodically pick apart leites and even if he does get taken down, his bjj is good enough to get him back to his feet or make it out of the round.

[Superman55]

I picked Leites, not because I think hell win, but because I want him to lol. That said, Leites definitely can win this fight as long as he gets it to the ground.

[yorT]

Even if he gets Silva to the ground he isn't going to definitely win this. Silva is most deadly standing and that's where the fight starts.

[LeeM]

Even if Leites drags Silva to the ground Silva's BJJ is good enough not to get subbed. Maia on the other hand...

[zzTIGERzz81]

It was me and I am serious about it.

how do you think it will happen?

I just don't see it at all...I mean Thales got dominated by Marquardt and his stand-up is very suspect against the much better Silva.

Also, I don't think Thales has the strength to get Silva to the ground adn if he does...I would love to see how he deals with his length because no one has been able to overcome that yet. In the UFC at least.

[Ebc_Kyle]

I really don't see any way that Thales will be able to win this fight. I really don't see a way that anyone who fights Anderson would be able to win.

[Pauly_J]

Anderson is going to make me feel sorry for Leites. Thales has one of those faces where I feel bad when they get beat up.

Oh, and instead of making a new thread about it, can someone tell me where vbetting is? I have no idea.

[yorT]

The rest of the world is wondering the same thing. The odds for this fight are -523 Silva and +325 Thales. Thales even has an underdog bonus if you pick him to win on mmaplayground.

[KJ Brophy]

how do you think it will happen?

I just don't see it at all...I mean Thales got dominated by Marquardt and his stand-up is very suspect against the much better Silva.

Also, I don't think Thales has the strength to get Silva to the ground adn if he does...I would love to see how he deals with his length because no one has been able to overcome that yet. In the UFC at least.

Marquardt dominated him after he threw an illegal knee. Before that the fight was all Leites.

[Suizida]

Marquardt dominated him after he threw an illegal knee. Before that the fight was all Leites.

I'd have to look at the fight at that but i don't think that's right. Marquadt rocked thales at the end of the first and started taking over the fight from there

[yorT]

Marquardt dominated him after he threw an illegal knee. Before that the fight was all Leites.
I haven't seen the fight in a while but when did he through the illegal knee?

[Embry]

I definitely wont bet against the odds, as we all know how good A.S is. I don't see him losing this fight at all. Plus he is one of my favorites. Class act all the way! :D

[vikingpride]

Well it looks like i'll be taking a trip with my brother and a few friends to Montreal for the event. I'm pretty pumped it's gonna be my first MMA event.

Our tickets are not gonna be anything special, but i'm just excited to be there and of course were gonna head down early for all the pre-fight festivities. Should be quite the weekend.

[KJ Brophy]

I haven't seen the fight in a while but when did he through the illegal knee?

Early to mid 2nd round.

[yorT]

Man I am really on the fence for the a lot of these fights.
Brian Stann VS Krzysztof Soszynski, I am having a hard time picking this fight for some reason but think I am going to go with KS. Ryo VS TJ Grant not sure who I'm picking here cause I haven't been impressed with Ryo since he came to the UFC. And Kang VS Professor X, dude seems like he might be a tuff match for Kang but I think I'll end up going with Kang in the end. Also don't get me started on Chuck VS Shogun, damn I want Shogun to win and if he comes in on top his game I think he stands a good chance but I'm not sure if I should take that risk.

[Wise]

Yeah this one was really hard to pick. I went back and forth on a lot of picks on mmaplayground. Im really not to confident with like 4-5 my picks when it comes to this ppv which usually isnt the case.

[randyspankstito]

Jeez man, it seems like forever since the last ppv. I can't wait for saturday.

[Tbown]

This card as a whole is amazing. I can't remember the last time when I wanted to see literally 90% of the fights (including undercard)

[vikingpride]

Man i'm so pumped to go to this event. Now i gotta try to go to sleep so i can get up early to drive to Montreal so i can get to weigh ins.


This weekend is gonna kick some serious ass.

[bbjd7]

3-0 so far but unfortunately it looks like the Crow will fuck that up. Aaron I told you not to put money on David way to inconsistent.

[Norway1]

just wanted to come over here and say SHOGUN IS BACK !!!! YEAAAAH WOOHOOO !!!

im guessing shogun vs cane next. or he faces the looser of machida vs evnas

[bbjd7]

Shogun looked good in what I could see I have a horrible stream. I'll watch it tommorow and break it down more but right now I'm just so pumped about Shogun looking amazing.

Head movement, Jabs, leg kicks everything he needed to round out his game.

Shogun is back now the question is how much he will improve if he can hang with the best.

[kc1983]

Can someone hook it up with the Shogun/Liddell fight?

[Jack]

Yeah he looked really good.

I'm not one to say I told you so but chek out my article and look at how much better his boxing looked.:p

Shogun was actually using head-movement. I'll have to re-watch it tomorrow cos I tend to get caught up in the heat of the moment but Chuck hasn't gottne beaten that bad since Rampage.

[bbjd7]

Ummm maybe it's because I wrote an article on it but personally I thought Wiman won 29-28. He did exactly what I thought he would land effective punches standing and get him down however that body kick in round 2 killed him.

But seriously did anyone else have Wiman winning round 1 or was I blinded?

[Jack]

I gave it Wiman 29-28 but the first was close IMO.

I'm glad Stout got the nod cos I like him a lot more but I did score it for Wiman.

[bbjd7]

Yea IDK I thought Wiman landed the bigger shots in the first round and he scored a takedown. I'm just not sure how all three gave it to Stout.

O well Man I broke even tonight thanks to TJ Grant and Shogun is back.

[bleSs]

That fight was horrible..

[Meshuggeth]

Glad Kang won, but how did he not submit Professor X?

Glad that Herman shoved it in the face of the Canadian crowd. Sounds like a pretty dominant performance.

Quarry's GnP sounds vicious.

Good to see Shogun back in form.

The Wiman/Stout decision. didn't seem right to me. I think sometimes we should see more fights ending in draws. MMa judges seem to be against judging like that.

No one is going to beat Machida anytime soon.

[bleSs]

No one is going to beat Machida anytime soon.

Haha I agree

[JT42]

Well besides Shogun's win I thought this card sucked balls but that wasnt really a suprise since I expected it. I wasnt even going to watch it live until last min my buddy ordered it.

Was nice to see Stout win in a war but I am not a huge fan so no big deal. The Shogun destruction was a lot of fun and made driving to my friends house worth it but the rest was just so blah

[SurfNinja]

Honestly the title fight looked more like a sparring match, pretty disappointing.

[Malky]

I enjoyed this card overall but the main event sucked balls, that was the worst main event since Sylvia vs Arlovski 3. With regards to Wiman i had him taking rnd 1 but it was razor close

[wafb]

The Crow got dominated, you can't be a one dimensional fighter and expect to win.