This may not be the last time we see Anderson Silva fight, but we should enjoy the moment anyway.
It’s an important distinction when you consider that Saturday’s UFC Vegas 12 main middleweight event was marketed as Silva’s final appearance – at least for the UFC – despite leaving the door open for a return in interviews and still fighting is about the current contract. Regardless, the UFC played along, as did many of us in the media who like to take this opportunity to get poetic about Silva’s greatness.
He has a suitable enemy who can send him to Uriah Hall, the former Ultimate fighter outstanding who drew comparisons with Silva for his dynamic punching style at the height of his strength. Seven years after his UFC run, Hall hasn’t lived up to those high expectations, but now he has the chance to beat one of the greatest fighters of all time, and maybe fit back into the cover picture in the process.
The co-main event also has an impact on the competitors. The unbeaten Bryce Mitchell wants to win 5-0 in the octagon and become the first fighter from Arkansas to fight for UFC gold. He has a tough job ahead of him when he meets the always-playing Andre Fili, a veteran of 15 UFC bouts.
In another major card action, Greg Hardy meets Maurice Greene in the heavyweight division, middleweight Kevin Holland is fighting for the third time in three months when he replaces Charlie Ontivero on short notice, and lightweight veteran Bobby Green sets a winning streak with three fights on the line against submission specialist Thiago Moises.
What: UFC Vegas 12
Where: UFC APEX in Las Vegas
When: Saturday October 31st. The preliminary six-fight map starts at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN +, and the main five-fight map starts at 7 p.m. on ESPN + as well.
Uriah Hall versus Anderson Silva
You have no idea how much I want to choose Anderson Silva here.
It’s not just about fandom or nostalgia – although I can imagine that even the most objective analyst would have a hard time ignoring another vintage performance of “The Spider” – it’s the fact that Silva isn’t really looked like so terrible in one of his last games, despite having fought for a win for the past eight years. While the first-round loss to Jared Cannonier was a legitimate indicator that Silva’s time was up, before that he went three rounds with current champion Israel Adesanya, beating Derek Brunson and winning three rounds against Daniel Cormier all in one Light heavyweight fight he had no interest in.
Even his loss to Michael Bisping came in a fight where it looked like he beat Bisping in the third round! Yes, he is 45 years old, but are we sure not to count Silva too early? Sometimes it feels like he could get over the hump if he could just pull the trigger like he used to.
But it is the loss of half a step (or more) that makes it illogical to take action against Uriah Hall here. While we still think Silva is technically superior in both stand-up and grappling, Hall has certainly bridged the gap between them over the years, and when you factor in Silva’s decline in athleticism, the equation falls in favor from Hall. Hall has shown a lot of maturity in his last two games and has always had a reputation as a fighter who, when locked up, can rival anyone with 185 pounds. It would have been a fascinating match-up for a first-class Silva. Against today’s Silva it is his fight to lose.
Hall by decision.
Selection: Hall
Bryce Mitchell versus Andre Fili
I confess I am terrible when it comes to judging how close a prospect is to the jump. So keep that in mind when I say Bryce Mitchell’s undefeated run ends on Saturday against Andre Fili.
Mitchell’s high-octane confrontation and endless engine make it exciting to watch, and if he sets the pace early it is difficult for any opponent to climb back from deficit. That shouldn’t be a problem for Fili, a quick fighter with a solid defense. He will have to weather an early storm as I assume Mitchell will shoot in at the first opportunity to get the fight on the mat.
In that case, defense and experience should win the day, both in Fili’s favor. On the other hand, I could be completely wrong and Mitchell’s argument is just too much for “Touchy”. Add the fact that thanks to his magical Shorts of Camouflage he is likely to have a +5 in all attributes and maybe Mitchell will show that at 145 pounds he’s the real deal.
I still go Fili.
Selection: cables
Greg Hardy versus Maurice Greene
If you’re still working your way through the lower and middle ranks of the heavyweight division, being athletic can get you far. That is the advantage Greg Hardy had in the early stages of his fighting career and which he will have against Maurice Greene as well.
I don’t think it will be enough this time. While the UFC did an excellent job of matchmaking Hardy, Greene is the tough test it takes to bring him back to reality. He can be awkward at times, but The Crochet Boss is very knowledgeable about kickboxing and will be a handful for Hardy on site when he can take up the fight there. This is the quickest route to victory, and I see Greene using a smart game plan to take out Hardy and submit him before the third.
Selection: Greene
Kevin Holland versus Charlie Ontiveros
First, congratulations to Charlie Ontiveros for making it into the night at all after a bizarre situation last July where he was supposed to make his UFC debut on short notice as a replacement for Eric Spicely, only to find out that he was not medically cleared before he even got a chance to step on the scales.
Kevin Holland welcomes him to the octagon and appears to appear monthly for the UFC. Holland already had victories in August and September. So why not win three times in a row in less than 90 days?
Holland is understandably a big favorite here, but keep in mind that he rolls the dice every time he jumps into one of these fights against a lesser known opponent. Ontiveros has good fundamentals and while not quite keeping up with Holland’s range, he’s the size to clinch Holland. If he can mess things up early on, he can face a surprise.
What has made Holland so delighted – and at times frustrating – is to see how adaptable it is. He likes to look at his opponent’s best weapons and challenge them there, but he is also better at taking the path of least resistance. In the Joaquin Buckley fight, he showed that he won’t be put off by a newcomer who goes broke, so he shouldn’t be surprised by Ontiveros.
Another thing that works against Ontiveros is that he’s a glass cannon, with all six of his losses being knockout. Holland will add to this number.
Selection: Holland
Thiago Moises versus Bobby Green
Do you know what’s weird? Thiago Moises just beat Michael Johnson and I think Michael Johnson would have a good chance of beating Bobby Green, but I choose Bobby Green to beat Thiago Moises.
Matchups.
Green has defensive tools that will make life difficult for the aggressive Moises, a classic Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace with raw strength. I find it hard to imagine anything other than a scenario in which Green avoids Moises’ shutdown attempts, slips his wild punches and dismantles Moises for three rounds. At this point there is a formula for a green victory and it is up to Moises to disturb it.
One element for Moises is that he can be incredibly creative in the way he creates submissions. If Green is careless for even a second and Moises grabs him, he’s done. Green has shown good submission defense throughout his career, and in nearly eleven years there has been no cut in his ledger.
It’s not a sexy choice, but Green is doing the job here for his fourth W in a row.
Selection: green
Preparations
Alexander Hernandez def. Chris Gruetzemacher
Adrian Yanez def. Victor Rodriguez
Sean Strickland def. Jack Marshman
Jason Witt def. Cole Williams
Dustin Jacoby def. Justin Ledet
Miles Johns def. Kevin Natividad
