Ricardo Almeida - the UFC's Best Bet Versus Anderson

Keosawa · 03-02-2008, 10:32 AM

Thread title says it all.

Almeida is the UFC's most underrated middleweight, a guy who I think has only gotten better since he has come back from retirement.

Due to his takedowns and world-class JJ, he also has enough striking and a good enough chin to hang with Anderson on the feet...for a little while. If he finds a way to take Anderson down consistently, I think he submits him.

In my mind, Almeida's the UFC's best bet right now to challenge Anderson. Outside of the UFC, one could say that Manhoef is a bad matchup for Anderson and could beat him (honestly, even though Manhoef isn't half the fighter Anderson is, I think this fight would be a toss-up), and Lindland could also present some problems, but inside the UFC, there's nobody better equipped to beat Silva than Almeida.

Leglock05 · 03-02-2008, 10:36 AM

are you fucking delusional?

**Shut Up Goldie** · 03-02-2008, 10:40 AM

I agree.
The only guy that is going to be able to beat Anderson, is someone with world champion calibur submission skills.

Almeida also has a pretty good takedown. It's just a question of if he can get Silva down, and finish him before Silva gets his moment.

All Silva needs is one moment of opportunity, and it's over.

treazn · 03-02-2008, 10:42 AM

But why Almeida and not Filho?

Keosawa · 03-02-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leglock05

are you fucking delusional?

No.

Almeida dominated top middleweights like Misaki, Chonan, and Marquardt five years ago and has only gotten better since then. He's flying under the radar because he just beat an overmatched Rob Yundt, and is, in my mind, one of the UFC's best kept secrets.

After a couple more fights, I guarantee you'll be ranking him in the top 10.

**Shut Up Goldie** · 03-02-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treazn

But why Almeida and not Filho?

Filho is in the WEC, is friends with Silva, and is fighting Sonnen next.

**Shut Up Goldie** · 03-02-2008, 10:45 AM

DAmien Maia is another possibility.

RDUBYA · 03-02-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treazn

But why Almeida and not Filho?

TS said in the UFC not the WEC...plus Filho and Anderson are buddies.

Shut Up Goldie beat me to it.

Keosawa · 03-02-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treazn

But why Almeida and not Filho?

Because Almeida's JJ is better than Filho's, and I also think he has better takedowns. In fact, his standup is better too. And Filho seems exhausted lately by having to cut weight.

Filho's the stronger, more imposing fighter who's probably better in the clinch than Almeida, but as we've seen, neither of those attributes do anything but get you into trouble against Anderson.

And I'm limiting this to the UFC - Filho could fight Anderson, as he's in the WEC and Zuffa's the parent company of both, but I doubt that'll happen.

Primetyme199 · 03-02-2008, 10:46 AM

I agree that Almeida is the man to beat Silva.