Griffin vs. Silva, Sadollah official for UFC 101 in Philadelphia

[steph05050]

http://mmajunkie.com/dyn/images/fighters/forrest-griffin-3.jpg

A light heavyweight bout between Forrest Griffin (16-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Thiago Silva (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), first reported by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), and the long-awaited return of Amir Sadollah (1-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) are both official for UFC 101.

Former "TUF" champions Griffin and Sadollah announced the bouts during the airing of the debut episode of "The Ultimate Fighter: U.S. vs. U.K."

The pair also confirmed UFC 101's Aug. 8 date in Philadelphia.

The news was announced in a segment entitled "Inside the Octagon brought to you by Burger King: Late Night News Your Way." SpikeTV officials informed MMAjunkie.com the segments are scheduled to air throughout the ninth season of "The Ultimate Fighter."

After confirming his bout, Griffin also showed off his surgically scarred left hand and described the results of the procedure necessary after his December 2008 bout with Rashad Evans.

"Got me a little plate and some screws," Griffin said. "Just one more piece of metal in my collection."

Meanwhile, Sadollah gave an update on what has kept him out of action since his winning run on "TUF 7." Sadollah also confirmed his drop to welterweight, a move first reported by MMAjunkie.com.

"I dislocated my clavicle, and it's all better," Sadollah said. "I dropped down a weight class, and I'll be fighting with [Griffin] at (UFC) 101."

Sadollah last fought in a June 2008 Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale win over C.B. Dollaway.


Source (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14440/griffin-vs-silva-sadollah-official-for-ufc-101-in-philadelphia.mma)

[kc1983]

I always thought that Sadollah was a pretty small MW but damn, WW is so effin stacked right now! I don't know far he will go. I wonder who they'll match him up against?

[Kingofkings]

I certainly hope Amir actually makes it to this fight.

Griffin vs. Silva will be a good fight to.

[Tripod]

People are going to write off Thiago after Machida man handled him, but I actually think this will be quite close. If Griffin can get some early leg kicks to chop down Thiago later, he can pull out a decision, otherwise I see Thiago possibly taking this.

[vikingpride]

Yeah i saw this last night. Griffin made some remark on how they could be fight buddies and Amir could borrow his cup if needed.

Anyways the Griffin/ Silva fight should be good. Might actually turn into a bit of a grappling match which will be a nice change of pace at 205.

[Sinister]

Man, Amir better but on a good show. All these injuries delaying his debut, if he flops it's under card willy for him.

[Malky]

Yes I'm very excited to see Forrest back he should take this. Amir while being a solid prospect has been out for a year will ring rust affect him.

[JT42]

I am excited about Forrest/Thiago but I think Griffin will take it rather easily. He is more technical in his standup and will pick and move to wear Thiago out. We all know Silva's cardio is suspect and Forrest can go for days and days.

Amir I could care less about

[Thaispider]

i think griffin will win via descion and as for amir i hope he gets a win but have a feeling he is going to lose , due to ring rust and inactivity.

[Jeremiah]

I actually like Amir, don't really think he will have a long career in mma but I'm glad he's back at least for the short term.

[stitch1z]

I'm definitely picking Griffin.

I see him out-pointing Thiago for a UD. I expect both guys to try and kickbox. I expect both to drop a few times over the length of the fight.

[Suizida]

Forrest is simply going to outclass Thiago. Forrest is a way better striker and he has dealt with better grapplers (Shogun) before. If Forrest puts Thiago on his back, thiago's BJJ skills off his back aren't really up to par, so he ain't gonna sub him and Forrest's ground defence is sublime (don't believe me, watch the Shogun fight), so he'll just be able to get back up.

Thiago gets rocked often, so it could be a TKO for Forrest, that or a decision

[PirateNinja415]

i'm excited to see both of these fighters again. the forrest thiago fight should be pretty good, and i'm excited to see amir again to see if he lives up to everyone's expectations

[PunchDrunk]

Forrest is simply going to outclass Thiago. Forrest is a way better striker and he has dealt with better grapplers (Shogun) before. If Forrest puts Thiago on his back, thiago's BJJ skills off his back aren't really up to par, so he ain't gonna sub him and Forrest's ground defence is sublime (don't believe me, watch the Shogun fight), so he'll just be able to get back up.

Thiago gets rocked often, so it could be a TKO for Forrest, that or a decision

^This.

I haven't seen anything out of Thiago to think he will beat Forrest. Anything can happen, but Forrest isn't Alexander or Mendes. He's too well-rounded.

I hope Amir doesn't get injured again. I'll be embarrassed for him if he does. I'm not sure if he will do well at WW either.

[kamikaze145]

Forrest is bigger, more accomplished, better stand up, but Thiago will probably be better on the floor so its not out of the question. I still say Forrest should take this pretty handily.

No opponent for Amir yet?

[FunkYou]

Good to see both fighters back. Griffin - Silva will be fun but I would exoect Forrest to win. however whenever he is the favourite recently he seems to lose.

Hope for Amir's sake that he nanages not get to this fight without another injury or he will truly be channelling the spirit of David Terrell.

[Jack]

I'm taking Forrest to win a wide UD here maybe even a late stoppage.

Griffin's gonna be the much bigger fighter, better striking, bigger reach (and uses his length really well) and although Thiago's probably got the better groundgame Forrest's jitz is pretty tight and TBH I don't see Silva getting him down.

[Brad.Taschuk]

Man, this fight would be insane if it was the pre-Jardine Forrest against Thiago. That would just be two dudes coming out and going after it full tilt.

As I see, Griffin is going to fight smart, move around, let Thiago gas like he does when fights go past the first round, and then likely finish him in the 2nd or 3rd, since Thiago is so damn chinny.