UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva has nothing to gain and everything to lose fighting Stephan Bonnar

By Joshua Molina

What happens if . . .

Stephan Bonnar pulls off an upset and knocks out Anderson Silva? No, it’s not likely, but stranger things have happened.

Silva, the middleweight champion, will jump to light heavyweight, so the fight won’t be for Silva’s title.

It’s amazing that the UFC would risk Silva’s brand by throwing him into the main event, simply because they are desperate for a big match in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What if Bonnar wins?

Shouldn’t the UFC be focused on its superfight between Silva and George St. Pierre? Silva will be heavily favored against Bonnar, who is coming out of retirement for the fight, but the UFC is risking millions of dollars by putting Silva on the show, in a three-round fight that means absolutely nothing, except trying to pop pay per view buys and making the live crowd happy.

Also on the card Glover Teixeira will fight fellow Brazilian Fabio Maldonado, who replaces Rampage Jackson. The legendary fighter pulled out of the fight because of an unknown injury. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who hasn’t fought since Frank Mir broke his arm inside the cage, will battle Dave Herman, who was knocked out by Roy Nelson in 51 seconds in May.

UFC president White continues his weird, contradictory statements in the press. He praised the Rio card in an interview with MMA junkie, and continue his tirade against Jon Jones. White blames the cancellation of UFC 151 on Jones’ refusal to fight Chael Sonnen, after Dan Henderson was injured.

“This is old-school UFC. A card is in jeopardy, but guys that are world champions and superstars stepped up and jumped in and saved the card. This is why the fans love this sport and why we went on a 12-year run without canceling an event,” White said.

But yet, later in a media call White said this about the show.

“Don’t watch it,” White said. “If you don’t like this fight and you don’t think this is going to be a great fight, don’t watch it.”