Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin Prediction : The UFC is taking on Affliction Banned
By Robert Rousseau
For all of you out there that thought Dana White and the UFC didn't have the guts to move Anderson Silva up to light heavyweight, even if for only a fight, guess what? That's right-you're wrong. Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin is about to happen, people; a fight where someone is almost certainly going to be knocked out.
Of course, White had a reason to put this Silva vs. Irvin bout together. Keep reading to find out why.
Okay, you're the UFC. That means you're the super power of mixed martial arts. Champions like Anderson "The Spider" Silva, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and B.J. "The Prodigy" Penn are all a part of your organization.
But suddenly, as you're sharpening your razors and about to take some other organizations best fighter away, a competitor decides to put on an event that-and this is where the blasphemy really kicks in-rivals some of the stellar ones you've put on recently. By competition, of course, we mean Affliction and their Banned event set to take place on July 19. Some of the fights on the card?
How about Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell, and Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo?
Anyway, the UFC could've simply shrugged their shoulders and said, we'll get them next time. But that's not how they became the super power that they are.
Hence, they decided to put on an event on July 19th themselves. One that will air for free on Spike TV, which, by the way, is a direct contrast to the pay per view event that Affliction will put on. The main event?
If you read the introduction to this piece, then you already know.
Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin Preview and Prediction
Anderson Silva has won his last seven by stoppage on the way to a 21-4 overall MMA record for a reason.
Silva may be the greatest middleweight striker in the history of MMA.
Ninja Costume
Along with this, he possesses what is probably the best clinch in the history of the game. Further, he has great reach, a ton of power, can hurt you from a distance with kicks, and generally displays pinpoint accuracy.
Did we already say that his clinch is ridiculous?
The worst part for potential adversaries is that even if you get Silva to the ground, he's a dangerous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner. In other words, you could end up doing something that Dan Henderson and Travis Lutter recently did.
Tapping.
James Irvin possesses a 14-4 overall MMA record with 10 (T)KO's to his individual credit. In sum, this guy has excellent technical striking skills and power. Said another way, strong stand up fighters like Terry Martin (KO), Houston Alexander (KO), Doug Marshall (KO), and Scott Smith (KO) have all fallen to him by way of those patented striking skills. What's more, he's a bigger fighter than Anderson Silva.
Irvin's ground skills are not a strength. That, however, may not even come into play unless one of the two fighters gets hurt and someone is forced to follow the other to the ground.
Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin Prediction
To underestimate James Irvin and those crazy flying knees of his would be a major mistake. If Irvin nails Silva, he'll be hurt just like everyone else in this world would be. But the bottom line is that Silva's technical striking skills may be the best ever. Irvin's fall short of him in that regard. Does Irvin have a chance still? Sure-he's got a lot of power and is used to fighting in a heavier weight class. But Anderson Silva is Anderson Silva.
Anderson Silva wins via KO in round two.
