Antonio Silva vs. Travis Browne
Chris: The main event sees two heavyweights try to put themselves closer to a shot at Junior Dos Santos heavyweight belt. Antonio Silva was hot property after defeating the great Fedor Emelianenko, a man who is still for my money the greatest heavyweight in MMA history. However since then he has been stopped by both Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez, the latter of which was a particularly bloody beat down. He will have to improve drastically from those performances if he is to defeat the undefeated Travis Browne. He must work on trying to set up a takedown and working Browne on the ground. If he is unable to do this he may need a chin transplant as Travis Browne hits hard, very hard.Browne is a very dangerous man, only two of his thirteen wins have gone the distance and if he hits you then you know about it. This coupled with Antonio Silvas recent issues with strikers suggests it could be a short night for Bigfoot. Browne is a fan friendly fighter and if he puts on another brutal knockout we might start hearing cries for a title shot. I think that Browne will put it on Silva right form the off and try and end this one as soon as possible. I am going to go with Browne to win this one by first round stoppage landing him a top five heavyweight in his next bout. What do you reckon? Stephen: I have to preface all Im about to say by pointing out that few fighters have prompted me to make so many bad predictions in the past as Antonio Silva. When I was all over the hype train he got beaten up by Eric Pele and punched out by Daniel Cormier. When I was unimpressed with his performance in beating Ricco Rodriguez I couldnt picture him outstriking Andrei Arlovski or smashing Fedor Emelianenkos face in. That being said I not only think that Silva can win this fight, I think he will. That could be the proverbial nail in the coffin as I always seem to expect the other Bigfoot to turn up come fight time, but if his head is in the place he says it is fighters do lie people! he has all the tools he needs to put Browne away. Fast hands for a guy his size and hes shown that he can stand with talented Heavyweights and while Browne is quicker and more athletic I dont believe its as wide a differential as most people are making out. In addition if and it is a big if he fights smart then he can use his physique to his advantage. Getting his hands on Browne wont be easy but if he can work from the clinch, spend some time pressed up against the fence, and get a takedown or two, he can really bust his opponent up and stifle them with a really strong top game. My biggest concern though is not Silvas erratic performances but that this is not a three round, but a five round fight. If Silva cant finish the fight in the first three he doesnt look to have the same gas tank of his seemingly better conditioned opponent. A win here wont get Bigfoot anywhere near the top three, possibly four, guys in the division but it will remind people that he belongs in the UFC and after he grinds this one out and gets a three round stoppage people should care again. Quick Picks:- John Dodson Vs Jussier da Silva Both picks for Dodson Justin Edwards Vs Josh Neer Both picks for Neer Jay Hieron Vs Jake Ellenberger Both picks for Ellenberger Antonio Silva Vs Travis Browne Chris picks Browne, Stephen picks Silva
Chris O Connor
Contributor
Chris, 25, was born in Leeds in the North of England but grew up in Kilburn in North West London. He graduated from the University of Leeds in Philosophy and English and has recently completed an MA there in Writing for Performance and Publication. His interests include philosophy, reading, writing (sketches, tv scripts, short stories) hip hop and Stewart Lee. A life long sports fan his focuses are on Football, Boxing, Rugby League and Mixed Martial Arts.
Drop him an email for any questions or potential writing collaborations on c.p.oconnor@leeds.ac.uk
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