Prime vs Prime: Anderson vs Wanderlei

[Adamant]

Prime Wand was so damn tough and such a monster. Anderson couldn't match him in that department, however, Andy seemed to have better accuracy.


Its tough. I'd probably take Anderson 55/45. But it's close.

 

[Malas]

Prime vs Prime, I'd favour Anderson. Wand would do fine though.

PRIDE vs PRIDE, Wand would beat the everliving fuck out of Anderson on the ground. It'd play out like Wand/Hendo 1.

 

[faustian]

Wand would wreck Anderson

Yes, Mirko's counterstriking besmirched Wand. But Anderson is no Mirko

 

[Donny White]

Anderson's poor TTD against Wand's berserker rush does not give us great odds that it'll be a striking battle with Wand getting picked apart.

Wand was a gamer, would fight smart, and outwrestle Anderson all night.

Not to say that Anderson would get the KO if they stood. If Chris KO'd Anderson, F yeah, Wand could.

 

[faustian]

Anderson's poor TTD against Wand's berserker rush does not give us great odds that it'll be a striking battle with Wand getting picked apart.

Wand was a gamer, would fight smart, and outwrestle Anderson all night.

Not to say that Anderson would get the KO if they stood. If Chris KO'd Anderson, F yeah, Wand could.

No doubt. Plus, now we can safely say that roids are fair game in this matchup. Roided out Wand was one of the most dominating fighters ever, a guy who stood toe to toe with and KO'd iron-chinned heavyweights. He absolutely mauled a prime Rampage TWICE, a prime Rampage who himself I believe would've put a beatdown on prime Anderson

 

[Steveston]

I love Wanderlei but stylistically he would most certainly fall into Anderson's trap of counter striking,
we all saw what happened in the Chris Leben Vs Anderson Silva fight and I think it would be no different.

 

[Cooliox]

with or without drug testing?

 

[SketchBounce]

I almost voted after reading the poll wrong lmao. I think back in the days of Pride Wanderlei could take Anderson. But if they somehow were able to both fight each other at their primes... Would have to go with Anderson.

 

[Deleted member 110072]

with or without drug testing?

With testing but the fights only called off if Wanderlei fails it.

 

[Cooliox]

With testing but the fights only called off if Wanderlei fails it.

haha

well played

 

[martinez505]

pick em

 

[YukisHeart]

You saw a near 40 year old who came back from a horrific injury and he still outstruck Diaz in every round. why the fuck do people even mention this fight like its anywhere relevant in the dicusssion of his career considering any of the above.

The injury is overplayed. It certainly looked agonising, but breaking a bone has no real long-term effects compared to, say, tearing your meniscus, which no-one considers a big deal. :icon_conf

Also, the age thing is a red herring when it comes to Anderson. He was considered to be in his prime in late 2012, when he knocked out Bonnar like it was nothing. What noticeable decline in skill have we seen since then?

(Meanwhile, when he was in the prime of his youth he was getting punked by Takase in Pride. Rare example of a fighter who peaked late.)

 

[MMASpeculator]

A matrix counter-striker vs a berzerker barrager? lol

 

[Deleted member 110072]

The injury is overplayed. It certainly looked agonising, but breaking a bone has no real long-term effects compared to, say, tearing your meniscus, which no-one considers a big deal. :icon_conf

Also, the age thing is a red herring when it comes to Anderson. He was considered to be in his prime at in late 2012, when he knocked out Bonnar like it was nothing. What noticeable decline in skill have we seen since then?

(Meanwhile, when he was in the prime of his youth he was getting punked by Takase in Pride. Rare example of a fighter who peaked late.)

Which raises another issue, if people take the view that Wanderlei being ribbed in Pride and a failed drug test years latter as meaning he was always roided what about Anderson's form?

He may never have looked like Wanderlei BUT I would suggest hitting your peak form in your mid to late 30's is not really "natural", look elsewhere at guys who've done that like Randy, Hendo and Vitor and all of them did it via steroids(albeit laughably legalised steroids). The idea of fighters carrying on this long has become normalised with MMA fans but its really not the way you expect a sportsmans career to progress, most will dropoff sometime in their early 30's.

As to the fight itself I really would say its a pick em, I would give Anderson an advantage standing but not THAT much of one, "Matrix defence" only worked against guys who were mentally beaten and panicy, against guys who stayed cool Anderson was hittable, meanwhile Wanderlei would have the potential for takedowns and GnP.

 

[the ambush]

lol Wanderlei having 40 votes

The Weidman and Sonnen fans showing their true colors.