Analyzing UFC 117 Teleconference: Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen

Is it hard to remain motivated when you’re donned the best in what you do?

Not just on a small scale–but with near universal acceptance?

Anderson Silva, the UFC’s middleweight kingpin, has been referred to as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet by media, fighters, and fans alike.

Always possessing a somewhat child like demeanor, with his fun-loving spirit and nonchalant attitude, Silva has come under heavy fire in the last couple years for some of his lack-luster and bizarre performances against Patrick Cote, Thales Leites, and most recently Demian Maia–opponents viewed as lesser challenges than Silva has faced in the past, with the likes of MMA greats, Forrest Griffin, Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt, and Rich Franklin fitting the bill, where Anderson added exciting finishes to his sometimes impressive highlight reel.

Now coming on to his 7th title defense at UFC 117 on Aug. 7, and after a verbal whooping he’s taken in recent months from the sharp-tongued aspiring politician and his next challenger, Chael Sonnen, “The Spider” appears tired. Tired of the questions. Tired of making excuses, and tired of the media alike.

When asked whether his brilliant performance at UFC 101, a stunning first-round knockout victory over former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin, and his dismal display against Demian Maia at UFC 112, was the cause of any change leading up to the fight, Silva mustered up all he could think of, putting all the cards on the table, and putting the questions to rest. He finally replied with a resounding “no”.

Okay? Well…was his short answer any indication that he is in fact tired of dealing with the media? The Brazilian answered back with a more jovial, uplifted “no”.

Though middleweight champion had few words to say, he did however respond to the way the fight has been promoted thus far, with Sonnen leading the helm in what is a one-sided verbal mayhem of rememberable one-liners, saying Silva will be on his back “more than a porn star with a mortgage”.

“whats in his mind is that he’s going to go in there and do his job”, said manager Ed Soares on behalf of Silva.

“Everyone has their own way of promoting a fight, this is the way the Chael is choosing to promote the fight. And that’s his choice. On August 7., I have a job to do, that’s when I’m going to go in there do. My job. Not mess around, talk a bunch of crap about people.”

While the reporters let Silva off the hook with his short, bland answers, Sonnen wouldn’t have it.

Penny Buffington of MMA Today was so bold as to ask Anderson what changes he decided to make from his last fight, going into this fight with Chael, Silva proclaimed that it was the help of B-rated action star Steven Seagal’s obvious prowess as a martial artist, that has helped him prepare for his fight with Sonnen.

“Well Penny, you knew when you asked him a question that you were setting yourself up for a boring answer, and you got one. So, what are you going to do”, said Sonnen, with an irritated tone.

“This is Anderson, yet again. He truly believes the answer he gave a few minutes ago, that people are tuning in to see a fight and not anything else, he really means that. He feels like he’s taking the moral high ground. He couldn’t be more wrong. Does he know anything about business? Has this guy ever done anything? That’s not what people are tuning in to see”, continued the Oregon native, saving the teleconference with another tirade of interesting, quote worthy remarks.

“People just don’t want to see two people fight, they want to know why they’re fighting. He comes on here and says something stupid as though he’s saying like some kind of nobel prize winning statement. He couldn’t have this industry more backwards. It’s shocking that he actually believes that and stands there with his chest out, like we should all pat him on the back and go ‘oh, good job Anderson, your training really hard’, well guess what dummy. I’ve been training really hard since I was nine years old, and I still have time to bring interest to people seeing me whip your ass on August 7.”

Thank you, Chael.