The Pride

Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ben Roffee

The best fight of 2008 could come as early as March 2 as Anderson "The Spider" Silva and Dan "Hollywood" Henderson face off for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 82: Pride of a Champion. Silva, who sits atop the summit of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters, seeks to defend his belt from Henderson, who holds the equivalent welterweight belt from the now defunct Pride promotion (Pride welterweight and UFC middleweight are equivalent divisions).

"The Spider" entered the UFC in 2006 and has dominated the middleweight division with his devastating stand up game. A product of the famed Brazilian "Chute Box" team, Silva is an expert in Muay Thai and also received his black belt in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu from Pride legend, Antonio "Minotauro" Noguiera.

On Oct. 14, 2006, Silva defeated Rich Franklin at UFC 64 for the middleweight belt, knocking out the champion halfway into the first round. Since then, Silva has reined mercilessly over the division, successfully defending his title against Travis Lutter, Nathan Marquadt, and Rich Franklin in his most recent fight, a rematch. Prior to his current UFC reign, Silva held the Cage Rage middleweight title from 2004 to 2006.

If there is only one middleweight contender in the world that can beat Anderson Silva, it is Dan Henderson. An Olympic caliber Greco-Roman wrestler, Henderson has consistently proven himself to be a top-tier fighter in both the 185 lb. and 205 lb. divisions.

From 2000 to 2007, Henderson fought against countless elite fighters in Pride, where he eventually won and simultaneously held the welterweight (185 lb.) and middleweight (205 lb.) titles. Most recently, Henderson lost a hard fought, five round battle for the UFC light heavyweight title against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Prior to that fight, Henderson knocked out Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva, one of the most ruthless fighters in the history of MMA.

The Fight:
Silva can expect a full five round war and should pace himself accordingly. Although one of Silva's greatest strengths is his Muay Thai clinch, he should really avoid allowing Henderson to close the distance.
The best place for Silva to win this fight will be standing up, delivering strikes from the outside and slowly working Henderson down. As precise a striker as Silva may be, Henderson's granite chin will make it difficult for Silva to knock him out. Silva needs to capitalize on any mistakes and put together combinations if he expects to knock out Henderson.

Although Henderson has never shied away from the stand-up game, he needs to keep in mind that Silva is one of the deadliest strikers in the business. Should he stand with Silva, Henderson should keep him in close proximity, where Silva's kicks, knees, and jabs are much less effective.

Henderson will also find it much easier to deliver his devastating hooks when Silva is trying to separate. Henderson's Greco-Roman clinch will be his greatest source of control in the fight and his greatest defense against Silva's powerful knee strikes.

Taking the fight to the ground where Silva is not as effective in dealing damage should be a key part of Henderson's strategy. Silva has not had to defend his title into the late fourth and fifth rounds, which is where Henderson should look to finish the fight.

Prediction:
Dan Henderson wins the middleweight title by way of knockout late in the fourth round.

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