Wanderlei Silva VS Chris Leben Announced For UFC 132

It has been announced that Wanderlei Silva will return to the octagon at UFC 132 against Chris Leben, assumingly replacing the Penn-Fitch co-main event that would have took place.

HUGE dissapointment, I know Wanderlei VS Leben will be one hell of a match, but I just so badly wanted to see Vitor VS Wanderlei, the build up and the history would be great, and while I hate to say it, I just feel that Wanderlei has ducked Vitor here, as it has been made clear by Belfort and Dana White that Wanderlei VS Belfort was the fight they wanted, but Wanderlei obviously wanted no part of it.

It will still be one hell of a match though, i've got Wanderlei stopping Leben late in the second, although one big shot and it could go either way. Also kind of dissapointed we're not going to see the rumoured bout between Penn and Condit, I wonder whether they will just hold out for Fitch to heal up and book Penn V Fitch 2 somewhere down the line.

Smart move by Wandi. Would have been stupid to fight Vitor on the back of such a long layoff. It's a dangerous fight though, one Leben could win if he lands that left hand. Here's hoping Pride Wandi turns up and destroys him rather than the Wandi who fought Bisping.

I feel Wand has a far better chance against Leben I just don't see how he beats Vitor saying that I have a horrible feeling Wand I might get knocked out in this fight .

Leben is still top 25 in the world and top 15 in UFC acording to fightmatrix. So despuite loosing to Stann he is a tough opponent, The guy Subbed Akiyama, KO'd Santiago, KO'd Swick, Beat Sakara, Cote etc.. he isnt to be taken lightly because he is HARD to KO and he hits really hard. In a toe to toe fight he is one of the best, but I dont see him beating Wanderlei at his own game.

Sheldan I think its harsh to say Wanderlei ducked Belfort, it was him who called for a fight with Belfort and in his latest interview before this Belfort and Marquardt were the two he names that he wanted to fight.

You have to remember he is coming off a long layoff (over a year) and he hasnt been active since 06 he has fought at most twice a year... You gotta ease him back into competition and his coaches didnt want him thrown straight into a fight with a guy coming off a title shot. He diserves an easier fight for a comeback fight because as we saw with Shogun long layoffs can really hurt.

wand via knees

manschesthair_utd wrote:wand via knees

Hopefully so mate, Leben being one of the shortest opponents he has fought in a while and having the biggest head (Even bigger than Rampage) is hopefully an easy target for them!

I miss Wandy mauling people with knees.

good matchup im hoping for a real slug fest.

Good fun fight, before the Stann matchup i would have HATED this fight because Leben is just Wanderlei but with a chin, but since Stann f-ed him up i expect/hope Wanderlei to do the same.


Think this fight could go similar to Wanderlei- Jardine.

Dana on the fight

"Wanderlei accepeted the fight with Vitor," White said. "I know a lot of people are out there saying he ducked and all this other stuff, Wanderlei accepted the fight. Wanderlei has been a good guy and he's a guy I respect and like very much. The bottom line is people don't tell us who they are going to fight and they don't go on Twitter campaigns and do all this other stuff. I let Wanderlei know that. Wanderlei told me 'I'll fight Vitor, I'll take the fight. Let's do it.' I gave him what he wanted, I gave him Chris Leben.

I agree with Anfield on this one, Belfort would have been a very tough fight after such a long layoff. I'd love a Jardine like KO by Wandy, but I reckon he'll be able to outstrike Leben in route to a pretty close decision.

rudeboyben84 wrote:Dana on the fight

"Wanderlei accepeted the fight with Vitor," White said. "I know a lot of people are out there saying he ducked and all this other stuff, Wanderlei accepted the fight. Wanderlei has been a good guy and he's a guy I respect and like very much. The bottom line is people don't tell us who they are going to fight and they don't go on Twitter campaigns and do all this other stuff. I let Wanderlei know that. Wanderlei told me 'I'll fight Vitor, I'll take the fight. Let's do it.' I gave him what he wanted, I gave him Chris Leben.

Is it just me or is this statement totally wierd and contradictory.

He says he wanted wandy to fight Vitor, then says both agreed to fight, and that no fighter can 'choose' who they fight. The he gives Wandy Leben anyway, and says 'I gave him what he wanted'.....