Jason Macdonald: No one wants to see Silva vs. Okami

[rivethead]

I think what MacDonald is saying is that to the white/English-speaking-only/casual fan; the only person potentially less marketable than Anderson Silva is Yushin Okami. As a champion, anyway.

Okami is a great fighter, and I feel he's not only earned a title fight, but it will be a good fight. I still have Anderson all day, but Okami is no joke. I just think the anglo-bias of many of the newer fans comes into play here.

Originally Posted by Quintessential Studmuffin

Lol, And you think Ricardo Almeida vs Anderson would sell any more then this? That's just your personal opinion,which is totally backwards in this case.

Whos Okami beat? Rory Singer,Kalib Starnes,J-Mac,Alan Belcher,Mike Swick,Evan Tanner. His only loss was a UD to Franklin.If you look at Okamis resume,then Cotes and Almeidas,he's got the more wins,and he's got more impressive wins.

Okami/Franklin headed UFC 72,for no title,with very weak main card,and pulled in around 300 thousand buys. Why wouldnt him vs Anderson pull in atleast the same,if not another 50 K? Put like Wandy vs Lyoto as the Co main and you got yourself a PPV thats gonna sell over 500 thousand in PPV buys,easily.

War Thunder.

I don't know that Okami's record is more impressive than Almeida's--he's a former King of Pancrase, and has wins over Marquardt and Misaki. He took a lot of time off, but he was the man back in the day.

rh

[Problematique]

Originally Posted by tmlfan

agreed there, maybe we could have a hendo vs franklin rivalry, I think they match up well and would be a good fight. Rich wins the first one, hendo gets a rematch takes the title and then rich works his way back and reclaims it.. oh ya I can dream (please note, non of my dreams involve Okami and a title)

Maybe not Okami and a title, maybe just Okami.

[Palma]

No one wants to see Silva vs. Okami, but everyone wants to see Silva vs. Irvin???? Apparenly all people want to see is Silva...

I think Silva has been on fire since he went to Cagerage, but Oakmi was doing pretty good against Silva until he was ktfo with that cheapshot from Silva's gaurd... that right there should entitle Oakmi a rematch. He was able to take Silva down, avoid submissions, and throw strikes to Silva from guard. There might be some bad blood there so this might actually be an entertaining fight. Silva wouldn't risk losing the title with an illegal strike this time and Okami is a bad matchup for him imo. Okami has a good chin, good enough striking defense to avoid damage but still take people down, is hard to submit, and grinds out even good BJJ fighters with elbows and strikes from the guard.

I think what is so impressive about Silva is how he has beaten opponents rather then who he has beaten... Mardquart was a good win but Mardquart has never beaten an elite fighter himself... Rich Franklin has never even faced an elite fighter yet alone beat one. Henderson has beaten great fighters at 205, but historically has been very inconsistent at 185.

Imo, Silva still has allot to prove before being titled the number 1 p4p fighter in the world over Fedor and Penn, and still has allot of good fighters to face in the UFC and outside before moving up to 205. Ricardo Almeda poses some serious matchup problems and so Okami. Outside the UFC Fhilo, Cung Le, Lindland, and Dennis Kang all can give him a run for his money as well.

I think Silva's reputation is 50% how he wins fights, 25% ho he beat, and 24% the UFC hype machine combined with typical UFC fan mentallity (that I am guily of myself). Personally, I think Penn, GSP, and Fitch can all give him a good fight as well. Not to mention the smaller LHW fighters in the UFC that can drop down to MW like Wanderlie Silva and Lyoto Machida.

Basically what I am getting at this there are several fight matchups that make more sense then Silva fightin Irvin... I don't know why it appears Silva has run out of good opponents his size or smaller that are currently signed by Zuffa.

[hunterkiller]

Okami has done enough to earn his title shot. I don't want to see it but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve it. I really think once Anderson steam rolls him, he moves to 205 and we get to see some refreshing challenges at MW. Right now, there isn't a single title fight with Silva I am interested in seeing except maybe Bisping. That is only because I'm anxious to see Bisping get mauled. That said, he's a long way from a title shot beating the likes of McCarthy and . . . .hell I can't even remember the dude he just fought.

Originally Posted by Palma

Basically what I am getting at this there are several fight matchups that make more sense then Silva fightin Irvin... I don't know why it appears Silva has run out of good opponents his size or smaller that are currently signed by Zuffa.

Silva-Irvin to me is a joke. This is not a "test" for Silva at 205. This is a chance for the UFC to showcase Silva on free television against a lower tiered guy so they can say he destroyed a bigger opponenet on free television.

[Dimson]

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

Okami has done enough to earn his title shot. I don't want to see it but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve it. I really think once Anderson steam rolls him, he moves to 205 and we get to see some refreshing challenges at MW. Right now, there isn't a single title fight with Silva I am interested in seeing except maybe Bisping. That is only because I'm anxious to see Bisping get mauled. That said, he's a long way from a title shot beating the likes of McCarthy and . . . .hell I can't even remember the dude he just fought.

He should have fought Leben but, Leben got tossed in the slammer. He fought Jason "Dooms" Day.

[Problematique]

Damn you Leben!

[SickNasty]

What do you guys think will happen if A. Silva loses to Irvin? Think the UFC heads will encourage him to stay down at 185 or continue at 205?

[Problematique]

I don't see him losing to Irvin unless Irvin lands one of those great haymakers.
If he loses though, then...well...I don't know.

[ozzy2525]

Okami is 6-1 in the UFC he deserves a title shot. Macdonald is a punk he is just saying that because Okami beat his ass. I hope Maia puts his bitch ass to sleep.

[tmlfan]

Originally Posted by ozzy2525

Okami is 6-1 in the UFC he deserves a title shot. Macdonald is a punk he is just saying that because Okami beat his ass. I hope Maia puts his bitch ass to sleep.

I dont think he is saying he doesnt deserve it, hes just saying not a lot of people would be interested in seeing it, and it wouldnt be a huge PPV by itself, like other stated, it you would need another co-main event.

punk is not reading