[MikeyPatriot]

svj,

First off, I highly disagree with this statement:

[ QUOTE ]
Silva CAN NOT AFFORD to go to the scorecards. Any close round will likely be scored to Franklin, IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe I have more faith in the judges to not be swayed by the crowd, but also 1) Silva has a style that judges like and 2) he holds the belt. I also disagree that the UFC wants the belt on Franklin (or on him more than Silva). Silva has a very fan-friendly, high-action, knockout striking style. Fans like that. I think Anderson can sell lots of PPVs, but the MW division is really weak right now - especially compared to the other 4 divisions at the moment. If Silva gets through Franklin and can get another fight or two against really top caliber opponents, I think he has the look and style to be a really big star. However, I don't really know who the UFC can go out and get that can be a really big fight at that weight.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen Franklin's fight with MacDonald, and I can't remember if I've seen the Okami fight. I know how it went because I read the results, but I'm not sure if I saw it (I think I did). I do know that Rich didn't look like a worldbeater against Yushin, and I have some doubts about his mental state/heart at the moment. I don't like to look too much into small things, but after Anderson knocked out Marquardt, they cut to Rich for about 5 seconds. Rich looks at the camera, gives a fist, and they cut back to Silva in the ring. Rich looks like he wants to stay as far away from the cage as possible. Ace may end up on the same path as Rampage. Lose to Silva in the clinch, get a couple wins under your belt, then lose in pretty remarkable fashion. Rampage "knew better" to stay out of the clinch, but he couldn't (and couldn't again against Shogun). Not saying Rich will fall prey to it again, but it's not for certain that he can avoid it either.

There's a lot to like about Anderson in this fight. Since his lost to Diaju Takase in Pride, he's gone 10 and 2. One loss was a freak flying heel hook from Ryo Chonan and the other is a fluky DQ loss for an up-kick to the head to Yushin Okami. He's looked very good in his 4 UFC fights outside of the Lutter fight (where I believe he was coming off surgery to both knees). He has an iron jaw, legit world class striking, and can competently fight off his back. He doesn't look like the kind of fighter that might get complacent with a belt, as he shows a lot of passion after his wins. I've also read that he has a chip on his shoulder with the UFC for putting this fight on in Ohio again.

I put a small bet on Sylvia too, though I'm gonna feel dirty watching that fight.