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[Cat--Smasher]

Joinha: ‘Anderson will have more fans rooting for him’

How was this negotiation to replace the fight?



I had a meeting with Ed Soares, Dana and Lorenzo (Fertitta) a couple of weeks ago and it was a sure thing it would happen at Engenhao. They were apprehensive wondering if it would be crowded. Big investments… Everything was fine, everybody was excited about it happening in Rio. We were caught by surprise too, they had to logistic problems. It’s not happening in Rio de Janeiro, but it’s happening in Las Vegas, which is the biggest fighting place in the planet.



What was Anderson’s reaction towards this transfer?



Obviously Anderson wanted to teach Chael a lesson in front of Brazilian fans. He told me: “I owe it to them. This guy disrespected me, disrespected my wife, my family, my people and my country. I wanna teach him a lesson in front of the Brazilian people”. Since it’s no longer possible, he’s doing it in Las Vegas, at Sonnen’s house, on the 4th of the July week.



You live on the United States. How Americans see Sonnen?



Chael Sonnen is a guy who came from the shadows using that marketing thing. He was unknown and then started talking about everyone, he’s talked about Lance Armstrong. He’s a bully, but got the promotion he needed. He’s not a complete MMA fighter. In matters of resources, Anderson has plenty more resources than him. As Dana White said, this sport has transpassed all limits and there’s no such thing, this kind of feeling. Here in Brazil we have that Latin blood, there’s this fanaticism, but on the United States they really admire Anderson as the best MMA fighter ever and I guarantee you 80 percent of the fans will be rooting for Anderson Silva.



You’re also Lyoto’s manager and many people want him fighting Shogun again. Jose Aldo is confirmed on Brazil’s card. Do you think about matching them up?



No. Not for Brazil’s card. Everything is possible, but it’s already being built. I guess Lyoto will fight soon. I can tell you about Shogun, but Shogun is on a great place now and I’m sure that the two of them, as mentioned by Dana, would be great coaches at TUF, but I believe they will fight before that.

Joinha: ‘Anderson will have more fans rooting for him’ :: TATAME

[singinkangaroooo]

ya.. not too sure about that 80%.. idk how casual fans feel about Silva, but i get the feeling that this board is tired of his bullshit and want to see him get serious or get his ass kicked... I am hoping for the latter and im thinking atleast 20% of people agree with me...

[SOOFNUN]

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say that 100% of Brazilians are going to cheer for Silva.

[CRisCO]

I'm down with the Don Chael

[CRisCO]

Originally Posted by SOOFNUN

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say that 100% of Brazilians are going to cheer for Silva.

you lose!

Vinny is rooting for Chael haha.

[JayBird]

I'll root for Anderson... Chael is entertaining as hell, as long as he isn't in the octagon.

[Frasedog]

Not this American!

[lwbrewer]

80% not the way Soares thinks, but 80% thinking he will win I'll bite on that one as realistic. The things Soares will do or say caused me to lose all respect for him and put him in the slime bucket category.

[goodtimes]

Soares is exaggerating, but I think Sonnen is a pretty big heel now and the majority of US fans will root for Silva. Still, Silva is not terribly popular in the US, he seems to be getting booed a decent amount recently.

I bet at least one bout of drunken "U-S-A!" chants will bust out during the fight.

[rivethead]

I'm thinking if Anderson didn't have soares as his manager, that number would be higher, but maybe that's just me.

I've always placed at least part of the blame for Anderson's finicky-ness [and general lack of what I'd consider to be a champion's heart] on soares whispering in his ear.

...Since it’s no longer possible, he’s doing it in Las Vegas, at Sonnen’s house, on the 4th of the July week...

Wait, they're fighting at sonnen's house? Like Kimbo, at a barbecue?

that'd be sick!

Originally Posted by singinkangaroooo

ya.. not too sure about that 80%.. idk how casual fans feel about Silva, but i get the feeling that this board is tired of his bullshit and want to see him get serious or get his ass kicked... I am hoping for the latter and im thinking atleast 20% of people agree with me...

I'm tired of the above-mentioned nonsense, but I'd want him to lose to anyone BUT sonnen. I'd actually rather have Bisping as a champion than sonnen, but I'd be pleased to have someone like Munoz, Kennedy or even Brian Stann in the role.



I just see sonnen as someone with zero integrity: a corrupt businessman, a known juicer, a known liar, a significantly-less-than-funny-plagiarist; and as an individual who embodies the worst possible stereotypes of what it is to be American. I do not want him as an ambassador for the U.S or for MMA in general.

rh