Incy Wincy Spider **Spoilers**

Well that fight pretty much went as i expected. A points win Vs a fighter who always takes a lot of hits and always gets cut up. However, I will be honest - for one of the greatest fighters of his time if not the greatest, I said at the time of his injury at his age he should hang up his gloves. And last night for me only confirmed my fears. Last night wasnt the Spider, it was maybe an Incy Wincy Spider, but not THE Spider. He looked slow (ok he has been out for a long time), he looked scared of going forward to attack, there was no cockyness, no power and he got hit a lot. A lot of the top5/10 in my opinion would have a field day against this version of the Spider.

So what do we think - will he improve over coming fights, or is this it for the Spider?

Simon West wrote:Well that fight pretty much went as i expected.  A points win Vs a fighter who always takes a lot of hits and always gets cut up.  However, I will be honest - for one of the greatest fighters of his time if not the greatest, I said at the time of his injury at his age he should hang up his gloves.  And last night for me only confirmed my fears.  Last night wasnt the Spider, it was maybe an Incy Wincy Spider, but not THE Spider.  He looked slow (ok he has been out for a long time), he looked scared of going forward to attack, there was no cockyness, no power and he got hit a lot.  A lot of the top5/10 in my opinion would have a field day against this version of the Spider.

So what do we think - will he improve over coming fights, or is this it for the Spider?  

You could quite easily apply this to Diaz to be honest, add to it he looked scared when his opponent came forward landing. Tbh honest I don't 100% agree with you, I didn't think he looked that slow and there was power in his kicks, unlike Diaz's although Silva did say powerful kicks in the interview but they had zero effect on Silva.

I do agree that it's over for Silva as the top man in the division and therefore time to call it a day, no point becoming a gate keeper for the division and there won't be many more pay days left for him.

I do think though that Silva used this fight to test the water as well as to go out on a win if he decides to retire. No fighter at the top wants to go out with 2 defeats like that.

I've never been a fan of Diaz, I just think he's very overrated and that his mouth is what gets him his opportunities. We had exactly the same as we had in both the GSP & Condit fights. Its for him to come forward and put his game plan into action and take his opponent out of their comfort zone, not just stand there posturing and trash talking whilst getting picked off & busted up then claiming he should have got the decision whilst critcising his opponents strategy. He lasted the distance, gave the fans 'Nick Diaz'* Rogan enjoyed it so I imagine we have not seen the last of him.

With the way MMA has evolved over the last 5 years how do you see the Silva we all knew with that style doing in today's climate had he turned pro around the same time as the current crop of top 10 MW's?

If im to be honest I cant see past a peak spider in this division. There are too many specialist, which make for some great fights - but for the excellent all rounders like Silva and Jones they will imo always dominate. Of course there is always a chance of the upset, like Sonnen and Weidman, but overall the great all rounder will win, and when you have freaks like Jones and Silva who have amazing natural ability and the ability to think outside the box. If anything all the UFC has started to do is produce baby Spiders, which i feel is a testament in itself to Silva and what he has helped to do in the sport.

And you are spot on Vs Diaz, though i will be honest - i imagined he got confused as Silva didnt fight like Silva. Diaz is a counter puncher, and the fight on Sat both were being counter punchers, i suppose there is a possibility this was Silvas plan, he has done some crazy stuff in the past (though I doubt it), and yeh i agree that maybe it was just a testing of the water, he has become a little hesitant with his kicks though, no side kicks to the legs - only body and head. Plenty of front kicks, but as you can imagine the injury is still playing a little on his mind, just wonder if this might potentially have a Benn affect on him.

What about you - where would a young peak Silva fit in?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ufc/article-2939272/UFC-great-Anderson-Silva-tests-positive-anabolic-steroids-winning-return-Octagon-against-Nick-Diaz.html

Thanks for the post Dave, and shocked by that. Though he did look pretty ripped, but I assume that was from training and trying to get back match fit.

Although it may have come as a shock to many its no surprise really. So many of today's top athletes have or are using PED's, its become part and parcel of today's game. Personally I don't think Silva looked any more ripped than usual.

Here's a link to a guy I watch on youtube and even though i don't agree with everything he says he does bring up some good and interesting points surrounding Silva's case, drugs in sport and getting caught. Apparently Silva is the 3rd person from his camp that has been caught using the same steroid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEdeZOCN404

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ufc/article-2958357/Anderson-Silva-fails-second-drug-test-former-UFC-champion-suspended.html

It gets worse for Silva...and the UFC

Yes I read about this a couple of days ago on an mma forum and their are rumors that he's had his purse withheld, certainly things not looking good for Silva and definitely it puts his career into question.

As for the UFC I don't think it makes things worse for them, ok its a high profile fighter that has failed but at least it shows they reasonably serious about testing, fighters are getting caught and being disciplined. Compare this to boxing where testing is non existent. Are we to believe that boxing is clean? As you know there has been enough speculation and accusations over the last 4 years and a certain present p4p 5 weight champion apparently uses a pain killer for his hands that is banned in many states by the state athletic commissions. Also the UFC has banned the use of TRT, how strict they are with this I don't know. Is it only for the fight or year round?

The UFC can't win here. Rigorous testing although shows they take it seriously but will lead to more failed tests and lost revenue from fights cancelled/postponed from suspensions.

I truly believe all sports have widespread PED use its just most are clever/informed well enough to cycle off properly.