UFC 148 Betting Preview
July 4, 2012 : UFC Betting – Silva Needs To Remain Focused Ahead Of Title Defense Versus Sonnen
It has been nearly two years since UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva narrowly escaped defeat at the hands of Chael Sonnen, and turned the tables with a triangle armbar submission to successfully defend his title and clinch the record for most consecutive UFC wins with 12. That was Silva’s seventh consecutive title defense, and while he has defended the UFC Middleweight championship two more times since for a record nine-straight per head defenses, few have forgotten how close that battle with Sonnen was, a bout that was recognized with both Fight & Submission of the Night honors, as well as World MMA Fight of the Year. With the highly-anticipated rematch scheduled for UFC 148 this weekend, it is clear that neither fighter has forgotten what happened that night in 2010, or anything that has been said between the two ever since. The animosity and tension between the two might work in Sonnen’s favor, but for Silva, the best thing would be to let it all go and enter Saturday night’s main event with a clear mind.
Known for his calm demeanor and level approach to every fight, Silva gave fans a rare glimpse in to the toll that Sonnen’s verbal assaults over the past couple of years have taken on him when he recently fired back during a press conference, promising to unleash a vicious beating on the No. 1 contender that will break bones and change the way that the world views the sport. But the worst thing that could happen for the champion would be to let his emotions get the best of him when UFC 148 rolls around, something we have seen glimpses of in the past.
That was the case at UFC 112 when Silva was taunted by Damien Maia with some trash talk that got under his skin and clearly affected his performance in an eventual unanimous decision win. Silva got the final result, but his approach was erratic and not what most people have become familiar with from Silva over the years. Sonnen clearly aims to get in to Silva’s head in order to hurt his concentration and focus to get him off his game, and if that happens, Sonnen could get the opening he needs. Unlike with Maia, Sonnen is talented enough to put the champion away should he falter, and as the first fight proved anything can happen at any time to make the difference.
The main event for UFC 148 is undoubtedly the most highly anticipated fight of the year, with the rare combination of elite talent, underlying animosity, and a championship title on the line all coming together for one big fight. Sonnen will enter this fight focused and ready to throw everything that he has at the champion, and he made need a near-perfect performance to get the job done. Silva has defended his title nine-straight times and has beaten Sonnen before, but all it will take is one mental lapse for Sonnen to pounce and finally complete his mission of taking the UFC Middleweight title from arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
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