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News Item

Forrest Griffin returns to face Thiago Silva at UFC 101 in August

by John Morgan on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:30 pm ET

A light heavyweight contest between two fighters looking to rebound from high-profile losses has been added to the as-yet-unannounced UFC 101 card.

Former UFC champion Forrest Griffin (16-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) will face Brazilian slugger Thiago Silva (13-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC).

MMAjunkie.com (www,mmajunkie.com) today learned from sources close to the bout that the two fighters have verbally agreed to the contest and that bout agreements are scheduled to be signed over the next several days.

Those sources also indicated that UFC 101 is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 8 in Portland, Ore.

Griffin is looking to bounce back from his TKO loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 92 in December 2008. The 29-year-old had wrestled away the title from Quinton Jackson with a July 2008 unanimous-decision win, but Griffin came up short in his first defense of the title with Evans.

A broken left hand suffered in that bout has kept Griffin out of action since December. The former "TUF" winner was medically suspended until June 27 due to the injury.

Silva is looking to rebound from the first loss of his three-and-a-half year career. The 26-year-old Brazilian slugger had reeled off 13 straight wins to open his career, which included four straight wins in the UFC, before Silva suffered a knockout loss to current No. 1 contender Lyoto Machida at UFC 94 in January.

Silva's night ended in poor fashion that night as the American Top Team product was caught with a heavy right hand from Machida a fraction of a second before the bell sounded to end the first round. While the round was over, Silva was unable to rise, and the bout was halted.

UFC 101 is scheduled to feature a matchup of heavyweight legends and former UFC champions Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

For complete coverage of UFC 101, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: Forrest Griffin)

John Morgan is the lead staff reporter for MMAjunkie.com.

» Reply

Comments | 142

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nevertapp13 on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:37 pm ET

I really dont know what to make out of thiago, he looke great in all of his fights except for the Machida fight. In that

fight he looked like he had never been in a cage before. So I cant see him beating Forrest.

JustMe on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:01 pm ET

Yeah.

Man, the pix, Forrest arms look very long. Is it just editing? Monkey arms!

sealyaxe on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:07 pm ET

They DO look long. Boy, if he had any punching power he'd be dangerous. I don't see him winning this fight. Silva looked good against everybody but Machida. NOBODY looks good against Machida.

Opie's going down...again.

rush100 on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:07 pm ET

thiago Silva is a very impressive fighter....if were talking about ground fighting. His stand up is very questionable!! Forest will pick him apart....Thiago is done before that fight even start! Ill bet on that one...its a sure thing!! Unanimous decision win for forrest!

brandongk4 on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:31 pm ET

Forrest better start figuring out a way to finish opponents earlier. Dragging this fight out will backfire if Silva doesn't gas. At some point within 15 minutes Thiago will probably get him down. If that happens Forrest will get pounded into tapping out. Again.

rush16 on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:11 pm ET

[Deleted. No insulting other posters allowed. -admin]

pohunta on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:16 am ET

Forrest didn't tap in either of his UFC losses.

SuperPunchout on Mar 17, 2009 at 9:28 am ET

technically he did tap to rashad, watch teh video, he even admittited in the post fight interview....anyways silva didn't look that good against the guy he fought before machida. If i recall, he got rocked and almost lost the fight, in the first minute. I don't like this guys jaw and i think forest might actually get a tko stopage here.

JP on Mar 17, 2009 at 11:55 am ET

I believe he actually said he was not tapping and that his body was just flopping around because he was getting knocked around by Rashad's punches on the ground.

Ronin47 on Mar 19, 2009 at 1:05 pm ET

Uhhh, I think you're the one who needs to watch the video.

The very first thing Forrest said was, "I WAS NOT TAPPING."

boydivision on Mar 17, 2009 at 2:39 am ET

Excellent point! he needs to finish fights and not just rely on gutting fights out. At some point that will grow old and he'll get KO'd again and again.

MikeJJ on Mar 17, 2009 at 6:33 am ET

Yeah - LOL!

Thiago's standup is reaaaaaalllly questionable you say? From 13 wins - 1 by decision, 1 by submission.

The rest?!? Well, all won by KO, TKO with his questionable STANDUP....

Too much Forrest coolaid, or what?!?

But i'm looking forward to the fight, not only do i like Forrest much but let's see how Thiago looks also.
If he looks great against Forrest the more respect ppl should have for Lyoto!

But it should be a solveable problem for Forrest - if he doesn't get rocked and jumped on early.
If all fails - Thiago will gas heavy mid 2nd round and then it's Forrest all the way!!!!

WAR FORREST!

agent_smith on Mar 17, 2009 at 11:24 am ET

Aren't only two of those KOs? I think that is where the standup question comes in. Now if we are talking gnp, that is where he excels (TKOs).

nicholas280 on Mar 17, 2009 at 2:55 pm ET

At whom is your rebuttal aimed? I can't tell from the above posts.

BuakawPow on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:08 pm ET

good point about machida, he has champion ingredients, then again so does Rashad, should be good

TysonLeeHarris on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:17 pm ET

Agreed I see two knockout losses in a row for Mr.Griffin, as much as I like the guy, I dont think he will make it past the second round

MikeJJ on Mar 17, 2009 at 6:36 am ET

Thiago's biggest problem is his gas tank...especially going against Forrest who's got the biggest gas tank in MMA imo!

rajman on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:53 pm ET

Griffin usually had good cardio, but in the Rashad fight he was gassed early in round 2, which is why Rashad took him down so easily and TKO'd him!! Griffin hasnt got the best taketown defense so I see Silva wanting to take him down right away (which I think he will do so) and battering Forrest

kenjkun on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:09 pm ET

yup. they edited Forrest's picture so he looks more like a monkey. don't trust anyone dude lol

so i guess they've chosen Thiago as the man to beat to gain access to a title shot. anyone know why?

JustMe on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:36 pm ET

I am going with Griffin on this one. Those long arms gonna rock Thiago. Forrest got the range advantage and he able to go the distance with a few TOP notch guys.

TysonLeeHarris on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:23 pm ET

Them few top notch guys (which as far as I remember there were only 2 or 3) are all overrated.
Yes I am talking about Jackson, Rua, and Ortiz.
Jackson seems to be improving
Rua seems to be washed up
Ortiz seems to be not in the ufc anymore so no comment needed

JustMe on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:43 pm ET

Did you read Ortiz comment on Forrest man? He said if was 100% healthy, Forrest would be out in RD1. LOL
Jackson, as far as i know was beating up on top guys! Rua, give him a break man...lol...
Thiago will see monkeys dancing around him and POW, KO! Long reach and nite nite.

carp on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:46 pm ET

Has Forrest ever knocked anyone out???

slowmo99 on Mar 16, 2009 at 11:03 pm ET

2 tko and 1 ko, only 1 of those was in the UFC. Forest knows he isnt a knockout guy, or a quick finisher. He will go in enforce his will and make his opponet play to his pace and gas them into a decision or submission. If forest hand is good he will will, if not and he is afraid of reinjuring it he will be beat.

GoBucksIndy on Mar 16, 2009 at 11:08 pm ET

Them few top notch guys (which as far as I remember there were only 2 or 3) are all overrated.

So if Jackson, Rua and Ortiz are all overrated, who is actually good?

kcrazy on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:00 am ET

Even if those wins are overrated, they're still much more impressive then anything Silva has brought, he's looked bad in his past two outings. And a win over Houston Alexander isnt really a feather in the cap

MikeJJ on Mar 17, 2009 at 6:41 am ET

Ask Sakara and Keith Jardine about Houston Alexander and feahters in their cap...

With Houston it is kinda like with Vitor Belfort - u never know which one will show up to the fight!

If the mindset is right they are both very dangerous. If not... well...

kcrazy on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:00 am ET

bubbalmt on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:18 pm ET

yea, he's a big LHW. Big boned'ed

ragefightingwear on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:28 pm ET

Very Good match-up! and why is this not on the UFC 100 Card?

CopperHeart on Mar 16, 2009 at 9:19 pm ET

Agreed. This is great bout for both guys. It could be war!

pohunta on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:21 am ET

My guess is Forrest needs time to heal and train.

TranquilVortex on Mar 17, 2009 at 9:38 am ET

It's not on the UFC 100 card because Forrest had surgery on his hand after he broke it in the Evans fight. He had to wait for clearance...

coreymb on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:19 pm ET

Machida tends to make almost everyone look horrible in the octogon. He simply schools opponents. There is no way around that. Thiago basically said that himself and he was saying how he was going to finish Machida and prove he was more hype than anything. Don't let that discredit Thiago in anyway. I really see Thiago being better than Wanderlei at some point. He just needs to stop being so sloppy at times standing. His GNP and bjj is already there. Did I forget to mention how young he is?!

TranquilVortex on Mar 16, 2009 at 9:05 pm ET

Corey, your analysis is spot on!

If Thiago cleans up his stand up he will be a vicious force in this division. If he ever decides to go to 185 which he definitely could judging by the spare tire he carries around, whoa... This is a dangerous fight for Forrest & he better be ready. Both guys coming off a loss are going to be hungry. This should be a great fight. I give Forrest a slight edge in this fight due to his ever improving stand up however if Thiago takes him down it could be all over rather quickly. Thiago has brutal GNP from an almost inescapable mount. And as you said he is YOUNG. He will only improve as he approaches his peak.

Nameless on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:37 pm ET

I wonder who the heavyweight legends will be the article refers to, in addition to Handy and Nog..????

Should be a good fight on the feet between Forrest and Thiago.....

Mcmax3000 on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:44 pm ET

I don't think there are any others. I'm pretty sure it's saying that they are "Heavyweight Legends and former UFC Champions" as in, they both fall under both categories, not that there's two separate fights.

clazrockfan on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:38 pm ET

This is a good matchup, tough to call who would take it, id say forrest in a decision or silva via KO

gtcoop on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:40 pm ET

Agreed - great match-up a real bounce-back test for Silva. Could go either way and early candidate fro FOTN.

Marine0811 on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:56 pm ET

+1 i was thinking the EXACT same thing

-Hammer- on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:38 pm ET

I thought Thiago Silva was fairly exposed with his last fight. I suspect Forrest will make him understand the value of technical striking, and not chasing your opponent like he did vs Machida.

MikeJJ on Mar 17, 2009 at 6:49 am ET

Ok, he didn't look like chasing too much while lying on his back with a low flying Lyoto just touching down with his right landing gear on the runway that was Thiago's jaw.

BUT what to do with Machida? If you're in - he knocks you out or at least hurts you and if you stay out - he schools you...

He,he...i love this guy from day one!

Maybe the LHW division is lucky and Lyoto retires together with Anderson after half a dozen title defences...

WAR MACHIDA!!!

hector234 on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:43 pm ET

This should be a great fight, i think Forrest wins by decision.

greasemonkey on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:44 pm ET

awesome matchup! just hope there aint no injurys in the build up-this seems to happen alot just lately. hard to pick a winner but got to go with griffen. if silva is at his best though its any bodys fight!!!

johnny_el_diablo on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:44 pm ET

Forrest should take this but i'm predicting what he did to Shogun. He'll get Thiago by sub.

ThiagoTKOSilva on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:42 pm ET

By sub? That's the last thing Forrest will get anyone in, IMO. He got lucky against Shogun, anyone who gasses is easy to sub.

twizted203 on Mar 16, 2009 at 11:03 pm ET

Being in shape doesnt have anything to do with luck it has to do with the quality of the fighter. NOTHING in MMA is lucky. by looking at your name...id say that opinion of your is quite pre-determined.

CopperHeart on Mar 17, 2009 at 9:40 am ET

Which is exactly why my name means nothing. :)

ThiagoTKOSilva on Mar 17, 2009 at 6:00 pm ET

If Shogun was in shape and not gassed he would've had the strength to defend submissions, heck he would've had the strength to not even go down to the ground in the first place.... but just forget it, I understand Forrest won fair n square.

Iainkelt on Mar 17, 2009 at 5:30 pm ET

Not to be too picky but seven of Forrest's 16 wins have come by way of submission, including subs over Chael Sonnen and Ebenezer Fontes Braga (not to mention Shogun...and I'm unclear how Forrest got "lucky" in that fight). So I don't think it's impossible that he picks up a win by submission although I would agree that a decision is more likely.

DenverMMA on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:44 pm ET

THIAGO WILL WIN THIS FIGHT HANDS DOWN.

p.s. I also had Shogun and Rampage winning also.

gmd on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:54 pm ET

Rampage was a close fight still had forrest winning but saying rampage won isn't as crazy as shogun. Shogun clearly lossed that fight even if he didn't get CTFO.

rush100 on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:08 pm ET

thiago doesn't have the stand up skills to stand with griffin! Griffin will win hands down!! il give you 2 to 1 on that!!!

Brutus_BeefCake on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:49 pm ET

This fight makes sense. Its a good fight to help build Forest back up. Two guys coming off of high profile losses. But Forest should be the favorite here. He should be able to simply out work Silva, who despite his K.O. power, really lacks technique and endurance, both areas that are Forests strengths. It definitely looks like the UFC is hoping Forest gets a win, which would be considered a good win against a top level opponent, so they can get him right back in the title picture. I say if Forest wins he fights either the loser of Evans/Machida or the Winner of Liddell/Shogun. However, a lot can happen between now and August. That is why Joe Silva has a really tough job, but he does absolutely amazing in picking fights.

chrisbboy82 on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:07 pm ET

This is a good fight, and Forrest is indeed the favorite. Thiago Silva has only fought Machida as far as fighting top-tier talent, so it will be interesting to see how he does against Forrest who has fought a fair share of top-tier lightheavies. In technical standup, Griffin is superior. On the ground, Thiago is a BJJ blackbelt with a great fullmount, so I give him the advantage there. Aggression goes to Thiago as well. I'll go with Griffin here, but Thiago is more than capable of taking this.

chpstkr74 on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:36 pm ET

If forest wins I can see a Forest Rampage 2 for #1 contender status

MikeJJ on Mar 17, 2009 at 6:52 am ET

Don't forget Rashad...he could be looking for a contender status fight as well after his fight with Lyoto!

JustMe on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:59 pm ET

Good match up...

moetmike on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:00 pm ET

Nevertapp-
I believe thiago was hurt in that fight against Machida, im almost certain of it. Go to mmalinker.com an watch the Alexander fight an watch the Machida fight. You will see in the Alexander fight that thiago was in must better shape an was able to move around quickly, but if you watch him on the Machida fight it was like he was limping every wear. He was hurt I could tell. if he is health he will beat Forest.

rocklobster on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:01 pm ET

I think this will show if Thiago had a bad night against Machida and if he really has a chance of rising to the top.

MikeJJ on Mar 17, 2009 at 7:27 am ET

Hard to compare possible Forrest matchup vs. a Machida mattchup.

Against Machida they all had a bad night!

Forrest comes to slug it out without thinking while Machida thinks while fighting.

Hard to compare. Forret should be a lot better matchup for him. If Thiago doesn't run out of gas and gets eaten alive by leg kicks.

blaze1269 on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:05 pm ET

I like Forrest, don't get me wrong. I think he's got one of the best work ethics of any athlete in any sport. However, when it comes to mixed martial arts I think he is good at most areas but not great at any one thing. I just don't see him, at least of late, having the skill set to finish fights. He has good technical boxing skills but lacks power, and he can submit but not someone of Silva's calibur. I like forrest more as a person and as a warrior, but I am leaning towards Silva. The Couture fight is intriguing as well.

ThiagoTKOSilva on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:39 pm ET

I 100% agree with you. Forrest is a well rounded fighter, but he's not excellent at any of the martial arts. A fighter usually has one strong forte, wether it's boxing, muay thai, BJJ, wrestling, Judo, or whatever, and that's what Forrest lacks. He can be finished in the standup or on the ground and that's what always concerns me when I see Forrest fight. He's a good fighter, but he's more of a warrior. He can take punishment, that's for sure.

brandongk4 on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:45 pm ET

Forrest seems a little unsure of himself. He needs get in there clinch up and throw knees and kicks. That's how he finished Sam Hoger (something Evans and Machida both failed to do). He needs to not be scared to throw those knees and look for the takedown so he can get some ground and pound or a sub. Just my opinion.

CopperHeart on Mar 17, 2009 at 10:47 am ET

Not sure if Machida has failed to finish people in the past, as much as he's found it unnecessary, until his most recent outing when he accepted the fact that finishes + English = $$$.

Kid_Khaos on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:42 pm ET

Blaze, I 100% agree with you. Griffin is one of the most overrated fighters in MMA. People get brainwashed by Dana, because he talks Forrest up so much and people think that whatever comes out of his mouth is gospel. I get that his fight with Bonner help put MMA back on the map but like you said, he is an average fighter and not great at anything. I really hate how people talk about Forrest like he is a MMA legend. Guys like Couture, Liddel, Hughes or Gracie are legends not Forrest " Edward Pillowhands" Griffin.

linton2006 on Mar 17, 2009 at 3:22 am ET

I like the Edward Pillowhands comment...

Forrest has a big heart and great work ethic but that is not enough to keep him at the top...that is not saying he can't win fights but with the evolving skills of other fighters, Forrest will be the guy that is going to have to fight the hard fights every time.

There will be blood....

CopperHeart on Mar 17, 2009 at 10:51 am ET

Lasting 5 rounds with Rampage would make anyone a legend, right? :)

bigdmmafan on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:10 pm ET

Both fighters I like to watch but I hope Forrest gets back on the winning track. I know he lost to Rashad but he was really controlling the first two rounds. 101 is also really shaping to be pretty nice. Randy vs. Nog and now Griffin vs. Silva not bad considering they're coming off of UFC 100.

Iknowmysh on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:12 pm ET

Although a back to back loss shouldn't necessarily be the end of the world, this weight class is just too damn stacked for repeated mistakes. Both fighters need this win badly!

If either fighter can put the other one away, that would speak volumes. I don't see that happening, though. Forrest by decision.

JuSt1nSaNe on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:40 pm ET

i like forest, he def seems to look better and better ever fight, but everytime they annouce his next opponent I start feeling bad for him for a sec i guess cause it's crazy how he just shot to the top. thiago is aggressive and i could see him getting the KO but forest is so scrappy, he always pulls something off. that's just the type of fighter he is. i think this one could go either way.

pohunta on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:48 am ET

I've been thinking a lil lately and i don't think that the ufc lhw division is so stacked. After the big 3 who do u have? The 3 being Machida, Jackson, and Evans. Rua hasn't shown us a thing since entering the octagon. Chuck hasn't looked good since he was fighting before jackson knocked him cold. Forrest is great for publicity and works hard but nobody fears him, and thats for a good reason. henderson is really a middleweight, as well as Rich Franklin. I'll ive you the fact that Thiago is young and has potential but you what what they say about potential. You aint sh*t now, lol. the lhw division aint stacked.

ThiagoTKOSilva on Mar 17, 2009 at 9:53 am ET

I guess you don't know anything about the LHW division. Rich Franklin is now a LHW. Then there's W. Silva., Brandon Vera, Luiz Cane, Hammil, undefeated Bader, undefeated Jon Jones. Jardine, Griffin, and Thiago still have fight left. Someone will move up the ranks in Liddell vs Shogun. Then you have the big 3, which you mentioned, Jackson, Machida, Evans. Anderson Silva may eventually move up to LHW, you never know. I understand it may or may not look stacked, it's just people's different perspectives.

madman81 on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:14 pm ET

Someone was reading my posts from the last month or so now lets see

Fitch vs Hazelett also thats one i want to see

Thanks for the Griffin vs Silva fight awesome!!!!

gmd on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:19 pm ET

oooh great match up, i like both of those fighters a lot so i would rather see them both fight someone else on the same card!

madman81 on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:29 pm ET

There isnt anybody else who deserves to fight Fitch other than Hazelett thats my opinion!!

gmd on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:31 pm ET

Yeah I agree, I'd rather see them both win but it would be a good fight.

bmackin on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:15 pm ET

Great match up. Joe Silva does a phen job at match making. This is a fight to show where these two guys stand in the division.

Was the Rampage win for Griffin really a fluke? In many eyes Rampage won a close decision. Griffin didn't last long with Evans and was beat down badly by Jardine. Maybe the Shogun win was against a fighter that was all hype to begin with and the Rampage win was really a present by the judges. Is he really a legit contender? These questions will be answered in a fight with fellow top 10 mainstay Thiago Silva.

Was Thiago Silva hand fed fighters with glass jaws? Snoozer Machida who has never been known as a KO artist took the brawler Silva out with ease. Does Silva even belong in the top ten or is he another hot and cold fighter like Jardine or maybe worse a lowly gatekeeper like fellow 205er Stephen Bonnar? A fight with Griffin will answer these questions.

Once again great match making.

pohunta on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:54 am ET

Dude i agree totally. griffin just aint that good but he sure works hard and makes up for it.

rush16 on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:32 pm ET

Sweet match-up, both good top fighters. I see Forrest taking this one, going to be a sweet fight.

elgrumpyroymendez on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:33 pm ET

forrest will win be decesion. he puts great fights every time he is never afraid to get hit. like him or not he a good person and he deserves a lil more respect from some of you guys. if he loses this next fight he still a great fighter. sometimes its not weather win or lose that makes you a great fighter its your heart and desire to persaveer in the bad times. i agree with some of you he does need to show where he stands in this awesome weight class. im sure he will win and that it will be exciting.

GnarKills on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:40 pm ET

I see Forrest winning this one pretty easily. Thiago is one of the most over rated fighters in the UFC and when shown

competition he got beat pretty one sided. Throw in another top 5 LHW and we'll see a second straight loss for Silva...

overhandright on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:30 pm ET

I disagree, I think thiago is one of the most OVERrated fighters in the ufc.

overhandright on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:31 pm ET

i mean underrated lol

chpstkr74 on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:44 pm ET

matt hamill is that you

C-Champ52 on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:38 pm ET

This is going to be a hell of a fight.Forrest is the man and I cant wait to see if Thiago can come back from his loss to the dragon

dogmaticdiscordian on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:42 pm ET

Unless Thiago improves his defences, he's going to be one of those guys that puts away mediocre fighters, but struggles against top contenders. I mean Mendes nearly put him away! Forrest is tough as nails, I can't see Thiago beating him.

BrassJunkie on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:45 pm ET

Tough call here. If Forrest is as hungry as he was when he won the belt, he's got this. If not, it's nite nite for him. I want him to win just to see him get a shot at the belt again.

WHMoff33 on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:03 pm ET

Sorry, Stephan Bonnar, this just might be a crazier bout than the one you and Forrest ever had!

Anybody that was looking for the war Bonnar gave Forrest the first time...YOU JUST MIGHT HAVE IT!!

frankiii on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:11 pm ET

SECOND ROUND.........FORREST TKO. EITHER ROUND IT'S FORREST'S.

overhandright on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:29 pm ET

Forrest 100% probably a dominate unanimous decision

salmandini on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:30 pm ET

ill take forrest tko second round as well
silva is much over rated bad chin i said it

ThiagoTKOSilva on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:33 pm ET

This should be an interesting match. I think Forrest and Thiago both are in about the same level striking-wise. Thiago has KO power but is still getting there with his precision, Forrest lacks KO power but he's good at throwing combinations. Thiago should have the advantage on the ground, and that's where I see him wanting to take the fight.

In his last fight, Thiago just wasn't ready for Machida. Forrest should be a fair fight for him. Thiago is still young, he can still learn a lot. I see a TKO or Sub by Thiago Rd 2 or 3.

CopperHeart on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:34 pm ET

> In his last fight, Thiago just wasn't ready for Machida

I don't know about that. He had an extra 3 1/2 months to get ready, due to the postponement.

ThiagoTKOSilva on Mar 17, 2009 at 5:43 pm ET

I mean, he's not ready to face such a top fighter like Machida (which I admit now)... Forrest is more on his level.

overhandright on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:33 pm ET

why is everyone saying thiago is overrated? his only lose it to machida. i think forrest is going to win but thiago definitely isn't overrated.

brandongk4 on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:41 pm ET

He also doesn't have any wins against ranked opponents. We'll find out where he is with this fight.

ThiagoTKOSilva on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:45 pm ET

He's still fairly young. He still has a lot of fights to go. He'll start getting ranked opponents soon, starting with this match.

coreymb on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:24 pm ET

Thiago is way younger than the majority of light heavyweights. Imo, he has more raw skill than most as well. I've said it earlier but I believe he will get to be like Wanderlie(his idol) but more smart when it comes to aggression.

He has all the tools except experience and shows a little sloppyness. That is all. When you have big KO power, a mean GNP game and top notch bjj you have everything in the making for greatness.

I think more people will realize all this soon enough.

DIGOCRD on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:36 pm ET

griffen has a better chance of beating silva then obama fixing the economy haha

i got silva first round due to slaughter

Poeticguy on Mar 16, 2009 at 7:44 pm ET

I think Thiago Silva's stand up is yet to be tested..he failed miserably against Machida and got knocked out briefly when he fought Antonio Mendes..All of his UFC fights have ended by TKO because he took the fighter down, mounted and pounded his way thru victory..The big question, is if he cannot take down his opponent, does he have a chance on stand-up? Against Forrest Griffin? I don' see him taking Griffin down and don't see him standing up against Forrest either. So..he will lose by Unanimous Decision..if Forrest doesn't KO him like Machida..

TheGreatAwakening on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:10 pm ET

Agreed. Thiago Silva is overrated. Let's take a look at his UFC track record. He handled a few very flawed opponents and then got picked apart and destroyed by Machida. Thiago's style leaves him open to absorb a lot of shots, and he relies on a big shot of his own or a takedown to take control. Griffin is the exact opposite. He's pretty technical and does well as long as he doesn't eat a big one. He outstruck, or at least held his own against, Evans and Jackson, both who are better than Thiago Silva. Silva needs to do what Jardine and Evans did to win here. Griffin will frustrate him with length and technique, up until the final bell rings or one of them is knocked out. Griffin should be favored here.

iron_fists on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:08 pm ET

SWEET

grifchiwin on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:11 pm ET

you can call me crazy or lay off of the meth or whatever but something tells me griffin by some kind of arm submission. whether it be a kimura, armbar, whatever. forrest also will have a huge gash on his forehead but thats pretty much a given, right?

ForrestGriffin1991 on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:12 pm ET

WAR GRIFFIN!
Thiago Silva is overrated who the hell has he beaten? Houston Alexander (NO GROUND GAME!), Antonio Mendes (Relative unknown making his debut) and he almost stopped Thiago, Thomas Drwal (not exactly top ten lhw) and James Irvin (Irvin got injured so it was a tko).
And when he was finally tested against Machida he crumbled. Machida dominated from the opening bell and knocked him out cold. His chin is a little suspect as well.

LM01 on Mar 16, 2009 at 9:08 pm ET

I don't know how objective your post is after seeing your display name, lol, but I'll have to agree with you on this.
Then again, I'm a big Griffin fan, so I don't know how objective my post is either...

CopperHeart on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:39 pm ET

Amazing how much sh*t Machida used to get around here, and how that almost vanished since the last bout.

LM01 on Mar 18, 2009 at 4:18 pm ET

I've always thought Machida to be a beast.

somnium on Mar 16, 2009 at 8:23 pm ET

I was hoping for this one...

Forrest by grinding a hard fought decision
or submission maybe ;)

Forrest has fought the best, I think he'll pick him apart in this one..

Mikey2818 on Mar 16, 2009 at 9:20 pm ET

Thiago Silva has a weak chin. He will lose to anyone who has punching power and take down defence. With that being said i love forrest but he has never knocked anyone one out so i dont see him stopping thiago. I would say that Forrest wins this by unanimous decision, i dont think he can finish thiago on the ground... I hope forrest can bounce back from his loss to rashad because I really didn't see the forrest i usually see..

War Forrest!

CopperHeart on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:58 pm ET

Forrest did KO Edson Paredão with a punch back in '03.
Edson ended up losing to Junior dos Santos in '07, after battles against guys called Mosquito Mosquito and Poe Poe. :) :) :)

themonsoon on Mar 16, 2009 at 9:40 pm ET

i see thiago winning this one , i think he'll get forrest to brawl with him , thiago by 1st rnd tko

kwest on Mar 16, 2009 at 9:43 pm ET

Can't WAIT !!!

that is....my fellow fans... an absolutely FAN-FRIKKIN-tastic match up no?

ooh yeeaahh

previouslyJUSTIN on Mar 16, 2009 at 9:56 pm ET

Thiago Silva is indeed OVER-RATED and has been ever since he beat Houston Alexander (another extremely over-rated fighter). I see Forrest (who is actually yet another fighter who is over-rated) taking Thiago to a unanimous decision victory 30-27, primarily by controlling the stand-up game. He has the size and reach, he's stronger/bigger, and his striking is much more technical, not to mention he has a tremendous cardio advantage too. I wouldn't be surprised if Forrest outworked Thiago and then in the third round when Thiago is completley gassed Forrest slaps on a submission (Forrest VS Shogun style). That said, I see the more likely scenario being Forrest by decision, but however it ends, I see Forrest coming out on top.

jlukecole on Mar 16, 2009 at 10:23 pm ET

Ufc 98 99 100 101! Looking like full of fight I would like to see!!!!

PeterLuck on Mar 16, 2009 at 10:33 pm ET

This is going to be a crazy fight.
Hope forrest gets the win
Fight Forrest fight

GP on Mar 16, 2009 at 10:51 pm ET

Yukes is actually "making" this game. If you have an Xbox Live account, download the WWF Legends of Wrestlemania demo version, which the full version is released March 24. Look at the realism and mechanics, and the sound, etc., and that'll give you an idea of what the game will be like.

However, I have been researching this game...it'll be even better than the Legends of Wrestlemania game. UFC will have a better game engine, and the graphics look even better and more realistic.

1. The Smackdown vs. RAW games are not as realistic in movement and wrestler appearances as WWF Legends

2. WWF Legends is a notch above the Smackdown vs. RAW series

3. The UFC game is even better than the Legends game (at least from what I see and have read so far)

I'll rent this game before ordering it, though. This is the first real MMA game, so you know there are bugs to be worked out.

Supposedly, there will be a lot of unlockable items:

(A) Win the game with Chuck Liddell and you get to upgrade your bachelor pad with a stripper pole and Dana White comes over to party.

(B) Win the game with Randy Couture and you are locked out of the game for a year with simulated contract disputes

(D) Enter the code BREATHINGTECHNIQUE and GSP's body becomes so slippery that not even the child of Royce Gracie and BJ Penn can execute their worldclass, well-renowned Brazilian Ji Jitsu.

JackGordon on Mar 17, 2009 at 7:10 am ET

You forgot to metion that if you enter Foot stomps and Breath Drago, Matt Serra comes running out of the locker room

If you enter the word profanity, you get a two minute rant of Dana White cutting a promo on someone

If you enter the code word Police you get actual video of Josh Neer and Rampage leading the police on high speed chases.

I hope the game is good, I would not mind playing

CopperHeart on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:33 pm ET

The code YESYESYES makes your fighter drop a weight class and win by decision.

gdawg on Mar 16, 2009 at 10:57 pm ET

Sweet dreams, Forrest.

XO on Mar 16, 2009 at 11:32 pm ET

Great fight. Now no more easy fights for Forest, though I'd rather see Thiago vs B.Vera

derek99549 on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:20 am ET

After both fighters losses, I couldn't figure out who they should fight next. Now this? This is awesome and I can't wait to see this. Outstanding match making by the UFC! I am impressed!

joenun on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:22 am ET

I can see him beating Forrest in a lot of ways. One big one is Forrest isn’t a Machida. Two Forrest is easier to hit and buzzed which in return give Thiago time to ground and Pound. Three He’s a very good grappler so I think he can beat Forrest and will beat him. Don’t say Forrest has a Chin because Rashad and Jardine proved that you can KO him once you have him on the ground. Plus Forrest easily get’s wobbled by big punchers. Silva is a big puncher.

uutsii on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:27 am ET

Man i like FORREST chances on this one.... cause silva does gas early... he will throw hard and hopefully miss and tire out.... and set up the FORREST VS MACHIDA.... he is the one guy that has a chance to beat the dragon... and maybe a JACKSON Vs GRIFFIN II..... when the dust settles we will see once again FORREST reign as CHAMP..... WAR FORREST

pettibone311 on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:35 am ET

forrest griffing by tko i say-
thiago never really impressed me and im glad machida beat his a--

GnarKills on Mar 17, 2009 at 2:29 am ET

Silva has shown me nothing to make me think he's any good. He was hand fed his first

4 fights and he won but almost losing one of them. When he actually beats someone

with a good name then i'll believe he is worth talking about. My opinion on him hasn't

changed and won't change until he beats some top level competition. I really don't

think Thiago even deserves to step in the ring to fight Forrest...

Cash on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:13 pm ET

lol, QFT

If I would have read this response five minutes ago I could have saved my time posting the same thing.

KIdDynamite on Mar 17, 2009 at 6:27 am ET

I guess i'm in the minority according to these posts..... but i see thiago pounding out forrest in the late 1st round.... what the f@!k is forrest going to do in this fight??? decision??? thiago doesnt go to decision's.... be serious.... forrest has poor wrestiling and almost no power in his punches.... thiago 1st round tko.... then he fights the winner of chuck/ shogun... which i happen to think will be shogun by sloppy, disgusting, pathetic, decision.

KIdDynamite on Mar 17, 2009 at 6:29 am ET

yeah i know... i think that will be chuck's 2nd decision loss of his career.... jardine being the first

nozm on Mar 17, 2009 at 9:20 am ET

Forrest will game plan him for 3 rounds and get the nod.

pj102980 on Mar 17, 2009 at 10:17 am ET

Should make for a sick fight. Who ever loses this match won't be in the title picture for at least a year and a half. Thiago is a tough fighter and his one loss came from MAchida, an amazing opponent. Thiago's game plan was not a smart one against a great counter striker in The Dragon. Thiago definitely has the skill set to beat Forrest. Forrest is another tough S.O.B., he can can take punishment as well as dish it. Forest needs a bounce back win after his dismantling by Rashad, I'm sure Forrest is excited to be getting back in the octagon and put that loss to Rashad behind him with a victory over Thiago. Forest is built for wars and Thiago isn't one to shy away from one. Should be an exciting fight to watch, Im looking forward to it. This fight is a real toss up to call. Both fighters love to stand up, This has the makings of some real fireworks.

CopperHeart on Mar 17, 2009 at 2:45 pm ET

I'm not sure what Thiago's game plan against Machida was.
He looked like he was trying not to launch an assault, to avoid a counterattack.
So he spent most of the fight walking around with his hands up, waiting for the occasional fist to the face.

axemurderer on Mar 17, 2009 at 10:39 am ET

I can't see a way where Forrest loses this fight. Forrest has better stand up, great ground defense and a good chin. Thiago has a questionable chin at best and honestly people give him too much credit for his "power". Forrest doesn't have the greatest punch in the world but I can see him getting a tko in the second. I wouldn't be surprised if this card does close to the same numbers as UFC 100 for ppv buys. This card has two of the most popular fighters in the UFC (Forrest, Couture) both facing good competition. The next several months for the UFC are going to be exciting to say the least.

pj102980 on Mar 17, 2009 at 2:11 pm ET

Why is everyone saying that Thiago is overrated. He has fought the fighters that the UFC has thrown his way and has been successful. When he fought Houston Alexander at the time he was knocking the sh*t out of guys, he looked unbeatable and Thiago exposed him. He comes from the chute boxe academy in brazil where everyday they beat the sh*t out of each other. The same academy that has produced The Axe Murderer, Shogun, & Anderson "Spider" Silva. His hero is Wanderlei, a brawler who is always involved in exciting fights. Thiago is trying to bring that type of fighting style into the octagon. I can respect that because thats what makes for explosive fights. As far has him getting knocked by Machida there is no shame in that, Machida is great fighter. Everyone loses in this sport no matter how great you are. In the Mendes fight, He got rocked & he was still able to keep his composure bounce back and still ended him with his outstanding ground n pound. Most fighters fold after getting rocked like that. No one gave Rashad a chance to beat Forrest bc everyone thought Forrest was the man. I think this Thiago Silva vs Forrest Griffin fight is pretty evenly matched. Can't wait to see this matchup!

draculagottfried on Mar 17, 2009 at 11:04 am ET

Silva looked like a dark match jobber against Machida.

And look at his previous fight against that nobody - he almost got KOed there. I think he's a decent fighter who's overrrated. Forrest needs to keep it standing, though, he doesn't want it to go to the ground.

Cash on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:11 pm ET

Forrest wins this fight easily I hope the betting lines are close because this will be easy money.

Thiago has beaten little cans. Forrest is a huge beast. Tito has five times the TD's and four times the Gnp as Thiago and he couldn't finish him. Thiago can't take Forrest down and has zero chance of a sub. Look for Forrest to use hi reach and size until he wins by TKO. I'm glad they finally gave Forrest an east fight.

punkster_44 on Mar 17, 2009 at 12:17 pm ET

UFC 101: Destruction

Top 3 Fights are:
BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian (UFC Lightweight Championship)
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Randy Couture
Forrest Griffin vs. Thiago Silva

UFC 102: Jackson vs. Evans/Machida

Rampage Jackson vs. Evans/Machida winner

Gus on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:01 pm ET

I dont know how anyone in their right mind would pick Thiago with a ko win agaisnt forrest
This guy is a farce, he only beat a bunch of cans in his first four fights in the UFC (yes including Houston Alexander) and hasnt done anything worthy of awe specially standing up. Mendez rocked him, Irvin was on his way to ko him and Machida exposed him for what he rwally is. I dont even know why he gets promoted as a brawler. he is more fake than a $200 bill, oh but he looks so tough when he does the throat slash.

ThiagoTKOSilva on Mar 17, 2009 at 5:54 pm ET

Well, I guess you don't remember that the "can" Houston Alexander KO'ed Jardine like nothing (something Jackson couldn't do). Mendes never rocked him, hence why Thiago stood right back up like nothing. Thiago had his hands up, and the weight of Mendes' kick pushed him down, that's all. And why does it even matter if he got rocked or not, he won didn't he? And how was Irvin on his way to knocking him out? Because he was mounted? If I remember correctly, Irvin was taken down so quick and Thiago was right in the mount, that's when Irvin decided to quit.

Don't be so quick to judge him, he only got beat by Machida (a fighter who no one has figured out yet). Let's wait until this fight to see who Thiago Silva really is.

Caged on Mar 17, 2009 at 1:07 pm ET

Forrest is going to lose again!!!

salmandini on Mar 17, 2009 at 10:21 pm ET

[Deleted]

twodragunns on Mar 18, 2009 at 12:25 pm ET

Looking forward to this matchup .......... Silva's stand up is in question and Forrest should be able to hold his own as long as this stays off the mat.