jwalker wrote:LOL that is a funny gif. I have a conspiracy theory! And it has to do with Brazilian BJJ fighters! He doesn't/won't finish them, not sure why. But if he absolutely wrecks Chael Sonnen then I'm going to start to believe I'm right. The only flaw in my theory is the Patrick Cote fight. But if you look at his run in the UFC, he has completely annihalted every oppoenent that wasn't Cote or an American. As for his skills, he choked out Dan Henderson, who is one of my all time favourites and one tough bastard. So, as far as I'm concerned he can do it (finish just about anybody). He chooses not to, not sure why. I think if he fights Vitor he'll KO him too.
PS. For my money I thought Arona won that fight!
I have heard this elsewhere and you may be on to something.
I can understand the reason he ran the last 3 rounds as well from a strategic view. However in the UFC you are encouraged to be aggressive and that is one of the judging criteria, in an even fight the more aggressive opponent will win according to the rules. Machida was laying waste to the LHW division and Dana pretty much told him that he had to be more aggressive and start finishing fights if he wanted a title shot.
As much as I think that MMA should be done as a sport for sports sake and think Silvas performance was strategically good, I also think that it was bad for Silva. Dana said that if it happens again he will cut Silva from the UFC. At the same time you are in a ring to fight and beat your opponent. IMO letting them run around for longer than necessary is risky, and if you have the skill to easily finish someone, then you should finish them.