Silva to get real test…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
UFC President Dana White was very vocal about his displeasure about Anderson Silva’s last fight, a lackluster decision win at UFC 97.
So to make sure it doesn’t happen again, Silva is being paired up with someone who doesn’t know how to not have an exciting fight.
Silva is going to take on Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 as a co-main event as UFC heads to Philadelphia.
I like it in all ways possible. Griffin has that common man factor going for him, and it’s tough to not root for the guy.
Silva is moving up in weight (he was a LH when he destroyed James Irvin last year), so it should be a real and fun challenge.
Either way, whoever wins, I’ll be happy for. If Silva wins, shuts up the vocal critics of his last two outings. If Griffin wins, gets him back on the winning track and puts him in more big fights (and that’s not a bad thing).
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Sad news out of boxing as former heavyweight champion Greg Page passed away earlier this week in Louisville. He was 50 years old.
I never saw Page fought. To me, his most notable accomplishment was knocking down Mike Tyson in sparring when Tyson was prepping for Buster Douglas in 1990.
Page suffered permanent injuries in his final bout in 2001 and his life was a struggle the rest of the way.
He knocked out Gerrie Coetzee in the eighth round in 1984 to win the WBA heavyweight championship.
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Congenital amputee Kyle Maynard made his debut in MMA this last weekend, losing a decision to Bryan Fry.
He’s a feel-good story if there has ever been one, but I hope his career is a short one. Some think it’s a freak show display, I certainly don’t feel that way. But I don’t think he can adequately defend himself against fighters.
Having all your limbs doesn’t make MMA a picnic for anybody. His courage and spirit are an inspiration. Just don’t think it’s possible for him to have a real impact on the game.
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Bobby Lashley and Bob Sapp have agreed to an MMA fight in June. Just like when Lashley agreed to fight Ken Shamrock, I’m digging this one, too.
I admit Sapp helped me get back into the MMA game a few years ago. I pulled for him so hard to become the next big star.
It didn’t really happen, but he’s done well for himself, and it should be exciting (for however long it lasts).
Lashley is giving up a lot of size in this one, to state the obvious.
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A lot of discussion about the recent Thrilla in Manila documentary on HBO. Thought it gave a lot of insight into the mind of Joe Frazier.
Know what else is? This piece by Thomas Hauser.
Well, it’s not really a piece by Hauser as much as he has compiled everything Dave Wolf thought about Smokin’ Joe.
But it says a lot about Hauser (the authoritative source on Muhammad Ali) that Wolf’s daughter and brother gave him all these notes.
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Wanted to get all this out there as the rest of the week is all about Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.
Know how I know this is big? Because I have co-workers who know nothing about boxing asking me about it.
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