Beta Labs MMA

UFC 97 Redemption
Anderson The Spider Silva takes on Thales Leites had newly finalised UFC 97. The match is very interesting and pits a submission specialist and ground game expert Thales Leites against the best pound for pound fighter Anderson Silva. The fight takes place Centre Bell, Canada, on April 18th.

The Brazilian pair are both excellent finishers and have both put away the best in the division.
Anderson has held the middleweight belt for over 2 years and has also stepped up to Light Heavyweight to distroy James Irvin.

Anderson Silva’s impressive fight record

Win Patrick Cote Technical Knock Out UFC 90 SILVA vs COTE Oct-25-2008
Win James Irvin Knock Out UFC Silva vs Irvin Jul-19-2008 (Anderson moved up to Light Heavyweight)
Win Dan Henderson Submission (Choke) UFC 82 PRIDE OF A CHAMPION Mar-1-2008
Win Rich Franklin TKO Stoppage (Referee) UFC 77 HOSTILE TERRITORY Oct-20-2007
Win Nate Marquardt Technical Knock Out UFC 73 STACKED Jul-7-2007
Win Travis Lutter Submission (Other) UFC 67: ALL OR NOTHING Feb-3-2007
Win Rich Franklin Technical Knock Out UFC 64: UNSTOPPABLE Oct-14-2006
Win Chris Leben Knock Out UFC Fight Night 5 Jun-28-2006

Thales Leites on the other hand has won his last 5 fights and only lost once in the UFC career.
Thales Lietes fight record -

Win Drew McFedries Submission (Choke) UFC 90 SILVA vs COTE Oct-25-2008
Win Nate Marquardt Split Decision UFC 85 BEDLAM Jun-7-2008
Win Ryan Jensen Submission (Other) UFC 74 RESPECT Aug-25-2007
Win Floyd Sword Submission (Choke) The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale Jun-23-2007
Win Pete Sell Unanimous Decision UFC 69: SHOOTOUT Apr-7-2007
Loss Martin Kampmann Unanimous Decision The Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale Nov-11-2006

This wont be a stand up battle with the fighters trading if it was Anderson Silva will destroy him in round one, if it goes to the ground it will be a battle of skills in which Silva has not fought anyone has deadly recently as Lietes, however Lietes ground game probably has not come up against such a stern test as the Spider in a number of fights and with Silva’s undefeated run in the UFC it is hard pressed to see how Silva will allow a lose at UFC 97.

Silva has only gone 3 rounds once in the UFC in his last defence against Patrick Cote which ended early as Cote’s knee injury forced him to quit, Silva has defended his title four times and I can only see him winning the 5th time. With Silva being touted to a move up the weight class to light heavyweight it is difficult to see someone being able to come down or raise their game enough to beat the current king at 185lbs.

For me Anderson Silva will win his UFC 97 fight against Lietes round 2, probably by TKO.

Danny Denhard
Betalabs