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[kickass32]

Anderson Silva’s Ribs “Still Very Sore” Despite Extended Layoff | 5thRound.com – UFC News, Strikeforce and MMA News, UFC 119 Play-by-Play Results

Anderson Silva’s Ribs “Still Very Sore” Despite Extended Layoff
Written by Tom Ngo
September 24th, 2010
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The UFC may have served up a new opponent for middleweight champ Anderson Silva, but that doesn’t change the fact his pre-UFC 117 rib injury is still causing him quite a bit of discomfort. Despite an extended 48 day layoff, the planet’s deadliest assassin still isn’t firing on all cylinders.

“His rib is still very tender, it’s still very sore,” Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, told MMAMania.com. “That’s what I am talking to him with right now. It’s still a little bit sore. It’s healing up, but it’s still not 100 percent.

Following his miraculous come-from-behind victory over alleged testosterone abuser Chael Sonnen, the champ revealed he had severely injured his ribs just six days before showtime. Based off the chatty challenger’s popular comedy tour and solid performance against Silva, Sonnen was granted an immediate rematch once the Brazilian healed. Now that Sonnen is facing a year-long suspension courtesy of his failed drug test, Vitor Belfort slides for a shot at the crown.

Although the adversary has changed, it hasn’t affected Team Spider’s approach towards defending their throne.

“It doesn’t make a difference. Whoever they put in front of us,” Soares matter-of-factly stated. “Like I’ve said before, we have never chosen who our opponents are. Whoever the UFC offers, we’re fine with. If it’s Vitor, then great, it’s Vitor. He’s a very technical fighter, very well rounded. I think it will be a fight the fans will enjoy.”

And when exactly do you anticipate fanatics will be able to witness the shootout?

“[Anderson] needs to be training with at least 10 weeks with his ribs not being hurt,” Soares said. “They’re still tender, it really hurts to throw his knees and stuff like that. At this point, we don’t know what date it’s going to be yet.

“It’s definitely going to be next year. We’re just not sure whether it’s going to be January 1st or the Super Bowl.”

Based off the pace at which Silva is recovering, it appears the NFL’s biggest weekend will likely host the highly anticipated showdown.

Man, this doesn't bode well for Belfort...such a long layoff already, and now not fighting to Feb.....I know he wants a title shot, but I think he'd be wise to take a tune up fight in the mean time.

[MrSpanky]

You can't blame Anderson for not wanting to fight injured. If he went in to the fight injured just to please the UFC and his fans, and lost, that would be just shitty. You don't want that excuse of him being injured as the reason he lost. It would be a whole P4P reign down the drain just because he is getting pressure to fight. Belfort should take this time and train his ass off IMO instead of taking a tune up fight, but he should make sure not to overtrain and get injured because that would realy suck.

[kickass32]

Not blaming Anderson....I wouldn't want him to fight injured either....as for Belfort, it'll be 17 months since his last fight if they go in Feb.....way too much time away from real competition to get in there with someone the caliber of Silva.

[killakem1]

Originally Posted by kickass32

Not blaming Anderson....I wouldn't want him to fight injured either....as for Belfort, it'll be 17 months since his last fight if they go in Feb.....way too much time away from real competition to get in there with someone the caliber of Silva.

his longest layoff to date other than the 14 half months after the sakuraba loss which he then defeated gilbert via decision. but like you said, too much time to be facing somone of a.silvas caliber. honestly i see him taking the fight though. i think his agression, quickness, and accuracy is something that silva hasnt had to face in some time if ever. but then the time off and vitor hasnt fought someone of silvas cailber for some time also

[MrSpanky]

Originally Posted by kickass32

Not blaming Anderson....I wouldn't want him to fight injured either....as for Belfort, it'll be 17 months since his last fight if they go in Feb.....way too much time away from real competition to get in there with someone the caliber of Silva.

You're saying Belfort should get a tune up fight but what if he loses? He is next in line for the title why would he want to fight someone else besides the champion? If he loses he would lose his title shot. Even if he wins he could get injured.

[packman31]

Dana's always talking about ring-rust is real, but then he puts Vitor in there after his long layoff. Okami should be fighting Anderson, while Vitor and Marquardt determine the number 1 contender

[Daellusx]

Originally Posted by MrSpanky

You're saying Belfort should get a tune up fight but what if he loses? He is next in line for the title why would he want to fight someone else besides the champion? If he loses he would lose his title shot. Even if he wins he could get injured.

I never did like this whole idea of "I have a guaranteed title shot, so why would i risk it fighting someone else?". The answer is because being the champ means you are better than everyone else. If you have to pick and choose your opponents to make sure you get the belt, are you really a champion? Not to mention that when you are the champion you are going to have to fight everyone so why not get them out of the way even if you dont have the belt?

Seems to me that fighters shouldnt try to take the quickest path to the belt and instead just take the fights as they come and prove that they are the best even if they dont hold the belt.

[NAL987]

If Anderson is gonna be out til January-February, Vitor should've just stayed with the Okami fight, most likely he wouldn't get cut in the fight, you never know, but most likely it wouldn't happen, and if he won then they could move the title shot back to Super Bowl sunday, that'd give him a good 3 months between the fights..

But sounds like he wants the title shot and he's gonna keep it...

[CtGreat]

Get well Silva, so we can see you back to your old spider ways.

[Y2JUBAE]

As long as Belfort trains properly there won't be any rust. His fights don't usually last too long before someone is knocked out, so they are hardly a tune up.