Jan 02 The Fight Forecast: Evans vs. Silva

This Saturday night, the "Curse" otherwise known as UFC 108, will get underway on pay-per-view despite the lack of star power featured on the card. This event was labeled the "Curse" because of the amount of fighters that have withdrawn from the card due to injury. Brock Lesnar, Anderson Silva, Sean Sherk and Tyson Griffin were just a few names that were forced off. The main event features a light heavyweight match-up that will reshape the division with its outcome. Former champ, Rashad Evans, at one point was scheduled to meet Quinton "Rampage" Jackson but Jackson choose to act in the upcoming "A-Team" movie and retire from MMA. Since then, "Rampage" has said he will fight Evans after he fights his new opponent, Thiago Silva. Rashad and Thiago lost for the first time in 2009 against the same opponent and current champion, Lyoto Machida. Both men are hungry for a rematch and the chance to avenge their only losses.

When Thiago Silva was announced as the new opponent for Evans, no drop off in offensive fire-power had been lost from the previously announced bout with "Rampage". In his last bout, Silva disposed of Evans' teammate and good friend, Keith Jardine, with vicious ground-and-pound that left Jardine unconscious. Thiago's loss to Machida may have produced a good learning curve for the Brazilian, as he seemed more composed and waited for his opportunties with Jardine. For his upcoming bout, Silva will have viewed Rashad's previous Octagon appearances and will be anticipating Evans striking patterns to counter. With Thiago's heavy hands, a second member of Greg Jackson's camp could fall victim to a hailstorm of fists in less than five months.

In preparation for his bout with Silva, Rashad Evans has gone back to his wrestling roots. Evans can neutralize Thiago's biggest strength and exhaust him by making Silva work while on the ground. Presuming Evans can effectively work this strategy, Silva will be vulnerable to be knocked out should the fight come back to their feet. Evans' much improved striking only took a minor hiccup in his KO loss to Machida but it is as good or better than Silva's. Evans has said he wants to avenge the loss of his friend and on Saturday he'll have his opportunity.

The Split-Decision: Regardless of the lack of name fighters on the UFC 108 card, the talent is there. Silva vs. Evans is being advertised as a fight that won't go the distance and that may be accurate, however, I see this fight going all three rounds. I think Evans will take Silva down each round and wear him out with wrestling and ground-and-pound. Rashad Evans by unanimous decision.

Gary Whittaker's Editorial 2 Cents: I have to agree with Jordan Small. Rashad may KO Silva, but I see both of these fighters cautiously going to their strengths on the ground, and grinding it out to a decision victory for Evans.

Tags: MMA \ Rashad Evans \ Thiago Silva \ UFC 108

< Prev		Next >