| Most UFC fans had their first introduction to | | | | took notice of Anderson Silva was when he |
| Anderson "The Spider" Silva when he knocked | | | | brought Carlos Newton to the ground with a |
| out Chris Leben on UFC's Ultimate Fight Night | | | | flying knee, not unlike the one given to |
| in June of 2006. Chris Leben was, and is, | | | | Leben. At the time, Carlos Newton was thought |
| considered a durable striker with a great | | | | to be one of the best fighters in the world. |
| chin. Leben came straight at Silva and paid | | | | That was 2003. |
| the price when Silva landed a couple of crisp | | | | |
| punches, followed by a devastating knee to | | | | Anderson Silva is no newcomer to Mixed |
| Leben's head. | | | | Martial Arts, he is a seasoned veteran. He's |
| | | | beaten people standing up and on the ground. |
| The victory was so devastating and so one | | | | He is deceptively strong and the only word to |
| sided that UFC president Dana White | | | | describe his striking is "amazing". I once |
| immediately gave Silva a shot at Rich | | | | saw him knock out an opponent with an |
| Franklin's middleweight belt. I think most | | | | uppercut elbow. Just try that yourself and |
| UFC fans thought that even with a decisive | | | | ask yourself this, how do you get close |
| victory over Leben that Franklin's experience | | | | enough to a guy to throw that and how do you |
| and strength would be enough to counter | | | | throw it hard enough to knock the other guy |
| Silva's obvious striking ability. | | | | out. Amazing! |
| | | | |
| Most UFC fans would have been incorrect. | | | | On the other hand Travis Lutter is an |
| Silva's work from the clinch was | | | | excellent submission specialist, but who has |
| unbelievable. He literally held the back of | | | | he submitted? He certainly defeated Patrick |
| Franklin's head for 2 minutes while he | | | | Cote easily in the Ultimate Fighter Final. |
| repeatedly kneed Franklin to the body. When | | | | But other than that, his victories don't come |
| Franklin went to protect his now bruised | | | | over top notch guys. You could argue that his |
| torso, Silva went to the head landing a | | | | victory over Marvin Eastman, who is facing |
| couple of hard knees. It was those knees | | | | Rampage Jackson on the same card, was against |
| which broke Franklin's nose and won Silva the | | | | a top notch guy. However, I would argue that |
| fight. | | | | Marvin Eastman also hasn't won a big fight in |
| | | | a while. At least not against UFC level |
| So, now Anderson Silva must face Ultimate | | | | competition. |
| Fighter season 4 winner Travis Lutter on | | | | |
| February 3rd, 2007. Even though he took out | | | | I believe that Anderson Silva will come out |
| the champion and a highly regarded contender, | | | | of this one with a victory. He has holes in |
| some people still have their doubts. Unlike | | | | his game, but it might take a newly motivated |
| many UFC fans, I also have followed the Pride | | | | Rich Franklin to exploit them. I don't think |
| organization for many years. The first time I | | | | Travis Lutter is ready. |