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Griffin and Silva tangle in Philly!!

Anderson wanted “big fights” and he’s getting a big fight. He’s got a date with UFC golden boy, Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 in Philedelphia.

There’s no way Silva can sit back and not engage until the other guy engages, because that’s not Griffin’s style. Griffin said it himself, he’s not a knockout guy, he’s not a “jits” guy, he’s just an all-around, “wear you out” kind of guy. He won’t be flopping on his back like Thales Leites, hoping to engage Silva. Silva will need to engage and drastically change his tactic.

This is a smart move on the UFC’s part. If Griffin wins, their poster boy is back on track to a title shot, having defeated one of the top pound-for-pound guys in the world. If Silva wins, he picks up a win over the former 205lb Champ, and a title shot at 205lbs is sure to follow. Plus, it will put some lustre back on Silva’s star, lustre he lost with lacklustre performances against Patrick Cote and Thales Leites. Enough use of the word, “lustre” for you?

Besides, a loss wouldn’t hurt Griffin. He’s like teflon and unless he lost to 3 or 4 guys in a row, the UFC will still back him. It’s a win, win, win for the UFC. There’s a “place to go” if you will, if either guy wins…unlike their curious UFC 96 main event pitting Quinton Jackson vs Keith Jardine.

Nick Diaz and Scott Smith throw down June 6!!

Strikeforce is really amping up the quality of its fights. The latest fight added to their June 6 event pits Nick Diaz against Scott Smith.Diaz last headlined a fight against Frank Shamrock on April 11, where he picked Shamrock apart, and smack-talked him while doing so. Nothing worse than a guy kicking your ass, and telling you he’s kicking your ass while he’s doing said ass kicking.

Smith also fought on the same card, taking out Benji Radach by TKO. Smith was losing the bout, but pulled another TKO out of his rear end, a la Pete Sell, ending the fight. The fight has to be one of the best thus far of 2009. Smith showed great heart and showed how dangerous he is, ending a fight with one punch while hurt. This bout will be contested a a catch weight of 180lbs.

The lineup thus far looks…pretty damn good!!

Main Event:
Robbie Lawler (former Elite XC 185lb Champion) vs Jake Shields (former Elite XC 170lb Champion)

Main Card:
Nick Diaz vs Scott Smith
Allistair Overeem (Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion) vs Brett Rogers*
Phil Baroni vs Joe Riggs*

*Unconfirmed at this time