UFC 97: Anderson Silva Earns 9th Straight Win in the Octagon

Posted Apr 19, 2009 12:49AM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: UFC

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva won a record-setting ninth straight time in the Octagon Saturday night, defeating Thales Leites by unanimous decision at UFC 97.

It was a bizarre fight in which neither Silva nor Leites seemed to want to push the pace. Leites got the better of Silva in the early going, but Silva started to use leg kicks effectively late in the fight, and in the third, fourth and fifth rounds he dominated. But he dominated Leites without finishing him, and that will lead some to criticize Silva for his passivity. The fans in Montreal booed Silva as the fifth and final round ended.

More: Liddell Knocked Out | Complete UFC 97 Results | UFC 97 Morning After

"Thales Leites is a very tough opponent," Silva said afterward, through his translator. "Sometimes we can't come out and give a spectacular show. He's a tough guy."

Ultimately, the goal of every fighter is to win the fight, and Silva accomplished that goal. But he accomplished it in less impressive fashion than other great fighters, like Fedor Emelianenko, Georges St Pierre and even Miguel Torres, have recently.

The other big story coming out of UFC 97 is that we may have seen the last fight in the great career of Chuck Liddell. Once among the top MMA fighters in the world, Liddell showed in his loss to Shogun Rua that he just doesn't have it anymore. Liddell has lost four of his last five fights, including three ugly knockout losses, and it's probably time for him to hang up the gloves and end one of the best careers in UFC history.

Better news for UFC fans is that Cheick Kongo is climbing the heavyweight ladder. The French Kongo beat Antoni Hardonk with a devastating ground-and-pound display in the second round, giving Kongo his third straight win in the Octagon, all by TKO. Kongo is an impressive heavyweight who keeps improving, and he's only a win or two away from earning a title shot.

Overall, it was a solid night of fights for the UFC in its second trip to Montreal, but it was a night that ended with the fans unsatisfied, because Silva was unimpressive in victory and Liddell went down in what may have been his final defeat.

UFC 97 Photos

Chuck Liddell and Shogun Rua shake hands before their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Chuck Liddell, right, punches Shogun Rua during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Chuck Liddell, right, punches Shogun Rua during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Chuck Liddell, left, punches Shogun Rua during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Shogun Rua, right, attempts to punch Chuck Liddell during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Shogun Rua takes down Chuck Liddell during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Chuck Liddell and Shogun Rua battle during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Chuck Liddell and Shogun Rua battle during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Shogun Rua pounds Chuck Liddell during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Shogun Rua pounds Chuck Liddell during their match at UFC 97 on Saturday, April 19, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

4-19-2009 @ 1:00AM

Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) said...

One of the worst PPV events in the history of the UFC. That strikeforce card on showtime last week was easily 100x better. If this is the kind of card Zuffa expects me to pay $50 for in the future they might never get me back.

This fight is what I fear for in the Evans-Machida fight. Hopefully it won't be to guys staring at each other for 5 rounds.

4-19-2009 @ 1:23AM

gillygodfried said...

you are exactly right

4-19-2009 @ 10:30AM

hail master said...

yeah i agree with you. but dont worry, the machida evans fight it will be nothing like this one.

4-19-2009 @ 1:08AM

anty57 said...

Anderson Silva is not great fighter and gone P4P list

4-19-2009 @ 1:24AM

Marci said...

anty57 ur an idiot

4-19-2009 @ 10:43AM

u idiot! Marci
Many many fans were not happy with A. Silva

4-19-2009 @ 12:03PM

just because he had one not so great fight doesnt mean hes not a great fighter anymore. not every fighter can be awesome every time they fight. thats like saying when fedor eventually loses and he will they all do that he isnt a great fighter anymore

4-19-2009 @ 1:52AM

Frederick said...

It was not a very good night of fights I found. I was disapointed overall

4-20-2009 @ 2:15AM

kpiper143 said...

The main event was like watching "Dancing with the Stars". I hate "Dancing with the stars" but they have never screwed me out of $50.

4-19-2009 @ 3:10AM

adidaspimp4ever said...

whoever says silva is not a good fighter do not write in here because you are dumb..he is a beast...leites should not of been in that fight he through no punches lol.. silva is a really good and smart fighter...it was a boring fight i give you that but...silva is still the best..leites should've not gotten a title fight with that performance

Kday said...

Leitis didn't come to fight, Silva completely dominated, even if he didn't finish him off, People complain fights are too quick, now he makes them longer and people still complain. Silva did spin kicks, the front leg kick, even a jump kick. I think Silva was more feeling, this is all you got to take me on.

I agree with Marci

4-19-2009 @ 5:27AM

Tattoo Joseph said...

Blame that lack of strength of fight game on Thailes, not Silva. Thailes was COMPLETELY outclassed and due to that the fight sucked. Silva was trying to make a show out of it but you can only do so much against a fighter that has limited ability. I mean jesus, Anderson was PUNCHING HIM IN THE KNEE!!!!!! What else would you prefer him to do? Punch himself to make the fight more interesting?

4-19-2009 @ 7:02AM

sensationc23 said...

Look Anderson Silva won. A win is a win no matter how you get it. Something a lot people still can't do in UFC....can you beat him...I highly doubt it....so for all the haters on Anderson Silva go suck a fat dick.

4-19-2009 @ 8:23AM

claytor said...

This was kind of a lazy fight...

Again, it seems like hes coasting against smaller competition. Silva really needs to step up to his true weight division, so we can finally witness the p4p trials. I think hes a great fighter, and honestly don't expect him to have anything less than success in the LHW division, just not as much as hes used to.

4-19-2009 @ 9:57AM

M13 said...

I agree with claytor. Anderson Silva has beaten almost every legitimate fighter at middleweight. The only logical step now is to climb to lightheavyweight. Perhaps after a rematch with Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami, and maybe later down the road Damain Maia.

4-19-2009 @ 11:29AM

Agreed.

The only compelling fights for Anderson Silva at middleweight are against Marquardt (whom he has beaten), Henderson (whom he has beaten) and Bisping who he hasn't fought yet.

I would like to see Silva & GSP fight either at a catch weight so not titles are on the line or at middleweight with GSP moving up in weight. GSP is big enough to move up to middleweight and he could probably make the jump to light heavyweight if he so desired.

4-19-2009 @ 10:10AM

bfash said...

The UFC should give a 50% discount for the next PPV event to the PPV audiance who paid $50.00 for that stinker of a fight card!! I don't blame the fighters, it just was not that strong of a card. The UFC needs to step up and do the right thing by there fans!!