ATTRIBUTES
|
ATTRIBUTE
|
LHW RATING | LHW (PRIDE) RATING | MW RATING | MW (PRIDE) RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength |
84
|
82 | 83 | 83 |
| Speed |
85
|
83 | 89 | 87 |
| Cardio |
85
|
83 | 86 | 84 |
| Footwork |
89
|
88 | 90 | 88 |
OFFENSIVE SKILLS
| SKILL | LHW RATING | LHW (PRIDE) RATING | MW RATING | MW (PRIDE) RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing Strikes |
92
|
89 | 92 | 89 |
| Standing Kicks |
91
|
89 | 92 | 89 |
| Clinch Striking |
93
|
89 | 93 | 89 |
| Ground Striking |
74
|
72 | 74 | 72 |
| Clinch Grapple |
83
|
79 | 83 | 79 |
| Takedown |
72
|
66 | 72 | 66 |
| Ground Top Grapple |
74
|
71 | 74 | 71 |
| Ground Bottom Grapple |
75
|
73 | 75 | 73 |
| Submission |
77
|
70 | 77 | 70 |
DEFENSIVE SKILLS
| SKILL | LHW RATING | LHW (PRIDE) RATING | MW RATING | MW (PRIDE) RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standing Strikes |
90
|
88 | 90 | 88 |
| Standing Kicks |
90
|
85 | 90 | 85 |
| Clinch Striking |
91
|
89 | 91 | 89 |
| Ground Striking |
82
|
78 | 82 | 78 |
| Clinch Grapple |
82
|
78 | 82 | 78 |
| Takedown |
80
|
75 | 80 | 75 |
| Ground Top Grapple |
80
|
74 | 80 | 74 |
| Ground Bottom Grapple |
77
|
74 | 77 | 74 |
| Submission |
82
|
74 | 82 | 74 |
ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES
LEFT HIGH FRONT KICK (ANDERSON)
Level 3—Both Standing, Striking Range
“The Spider’s” devastating front kick famously dropped Vitor Belfort in a blink at UFC 126. It is thrown while moving backward—use this technique to keep the opponent at bay.
RIGHT FLYING KNEE—BOTH STANDING, STRIKING RANGE
Level 3
Silva’s knees are deadly weapons that can achieve flash KOs. Close in on the opponent with a step, then quickly follow up with a fast right flying knee.
CRUSHING LEFT/RIGHT KNEE
Level 3—Muay Thai Clinch Cage, Offense
Silva’s knees become even more lethal in the clinch, especially in the Muay Thai Clinch Cage, Offense position. Batter the opponent’s body and head with knees whenever you tie him up in a clinch.
STRENGTHS
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
- Speed
Arguably the greatest fighter in the world, Anderson “The Spider” Silva wields some of the most lethal striking and jiu-jitsu in the UFC.
He can do it all—use his long reach and exceptional speed to pepper the opponent with quick strikes from the outside, keeping them at bay to shut down their offense.
As the fight wears on and the opponent becomes frustrated, look to land more effective technique strikes and combos.
If you aren’t too concerned about the opponent’s grappling ability, transition into the Muay Thai Clinch so that “The Spider” can perform clinch whips and follow them up brutal knees.
He also has excellent ground grappling skills and can lock in many effective submissions, including dangerous triangles off his back that he’s used to put away multiple opponents.
WEAKNESSES
- Takedowns
- Ground grappling
- Ground striking
Though dominant on the feet and in the clinch, Silva’s ground game leaves a little to be desired—a weakness that was exploited by Chael Sonnen for almost five full rounds before “The Spider” captured victory by way of triangle from the bottom.
Learn from Sonnen’s misfortune and don’t linger in Silva’s dangerous guard—either avoid the ground game entirely or work at transitioning to a more dominant position, such as Half Guard, where “The Spider’s” submission options are dramatically reduced.
Beware of his ability to perform technique transitions from the bottom, however—block these or you may end up being swept onto your back or stuffed into Silva’s Butterfly Guard, where he can quickly lock in a nasty triangle from off his back.