Lindland speaks Couture, Gonzaga, Silva, Franklin

Pitbull · 07-24-2007, 10:35 PM

Courtesy of Matt Lindland Interview - Bodog Nation

BN: Let’s talk about Anderson Silva. He’s on top of the middleweight division. What’s your opinion there?

ML: I think Anderson is a phenomenally technical stand-up fighter. He does certain things very well. I think he’s a precise striker. He never loads up and tries to knock people out, and I think that’s what allows him to knock people out. He picks his shots well and he’s patient. He waits and he lands a couple good punches and starts rattling guys and he follows through on them. He’s good at what he does. I think there are some holes in his game that I could capitalize on personally. There’s a ton of other fighters out there that could beat him, aside from myself.

BN: It looks like Rich Franklin is going to get another shot at him. What do you think of that?

ML: I don’t see Rich having the style to match up with him very well. Rich is a big guy. His striking is very predictable. He throws punches very technically, like a boxer or a kickboxer. You would imagine that Rich Franklin would learn how to fight out of a double collar tie. That’s a position he showed a tremendous amount of weakness in, and there are multiple ways to clear that sort of clinch position, so you’d think he’d definitely develop some skills there, but I think Anderson will probably have an answer for that.

BN: Matt Lindland vs. Rich Franklin. What do you think?

ML: I would beat Rich Franklin pretty bad. My style matches up very poorly for Rich. He wouldn’t know what to do with the kind of fighter I am.

BN: Do you think that’s why the UFC released you from your contract?

ML: Why do I think they released me? I think they were trying to push Rich Franklin. I think that was pretty apparent. I asked for a Ken Shamrock or a Royce Gracie fight, and he was built up. It’s an old pro-wrestling move. It’s called getting him over. That’s what the UFC did with Rich. They got him over by giving him Ken Shamrock and feeding him some other cans and all of a sudden he’s the champ.

BN: Are you pissed off about that?

ML: Why would you want fight to stay in an organization that wants to release you? What you want to do is go and fight for somebody like Bodog Fight who wants you and appreciates you and gives you great opportunities to fight the best guys in the world, and that’s what I did. I’m making more money now, I’m happier, I have an organization that appreciates me and puts me on main cards and makes me a main event.

BN: Which is more important: winning a fight or being entertaining for the fans?

ML: When I first got into this sport, I came from a very high-level competitive background and competition and winning and being the best in the world, and getting to the Olympic medal stand was the most important thing, and I think I transferred a lot of that thought into what I do in this sport. It’s a sport, we’re competing. You want to win. And that’s what it boils down to.

BN: Couture vs. Gonzaga. What do you think?

ML: I really think that is a perfect match-up for Randy. The guy is a lot younger, possibly more athletic and he’s bigger, but stylistically, I don’t see Randy staying on the outside with that kid. I don’t see him submitting Randy, and I just see Randy doing what he does really well: closing the distance, dirty boxing, putting him on his back and hitting him with punches and elbows.

theEmpiric · 07-24-2007, 10:43 PM

very good interview. i hope his prediction for gg vs randy is correct

Cacti45 · 07-24-2007, 10:45 PM

good interview, i like what he calls a muay thai clinch

Elder · 07-24-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

There’s a ton of other fighters out there that could beat him, aside from myself.

While I think that there are people who could possibly beat Silva, I think it is easier said than done, even for Lindland.

fullonshred · 07-24-2007, 11:02 PM

Very good interview, thanks for posting it.

opsy · 07-24-2007, 11:21 PM

I think he is dead on about Rich's striking

GeorgeXVX · 07-24-2007, 11:51 PM

I think he is right about a lot of other people being able to beat Silva.... the UFC just dosnt have ANY OF THEM! like at all.

Lindland and Kang being first that come to mind.

OneTwoPunch · 07-25-2007, 12:18 AM

Good interview but I think the guy is a little full of himself. "I could beat him pretty bad he doesnt know what kind of fighter I am" blah blah blah. I know hes a good fighter but its good to be humble.

LinvilleGorge · 07-25-2007, 01:45 AM

Yeah, he's a bit full of himself. I don't think there's a ton of people who can beat Silva. Sure, there's a few that can do it, but Silva is very dangerous and he's no sure win for anyone. The same goes for Franklin. Maybe Lindland would beat them both, but I don't think he'd walk through either of them. Silva and Franklin are both very good fighters and if he went in with the attitude that he was vastly superior and he was going to walk through them, he'd get KTFO Jardine vs. Alexander style!

riversideblues · 07-25-2007, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cacti45

good interview, i like what he calls a muay thai clinch

Hah, yeah I read "double collar tie" and went, 'wait, what?' and had to take a double take

Heatwaves · 07-25-2007, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opsy

I think he is dead on about Rich's striking

I'm only realizing right now that opsy used my quote as a sig. Muy props. I'm totally blushing right now... followed by a lightly sharting my pants.

name goes here · 07-25-2007, 04:04 AM

It's not like Lindland was undefeated in the UFC, so I don't think he's quiet as good as he thinks he is. I actually think Rich would beat him.

Heatwaves · 07-25-2007, 04:05 AM

Pitbull, you are a gentleman, a scholar and the king of uncovering spectacular mma nuggets.

What surprised me the most is how Lindland unilaterally dismissed Franklin as neither potential threat against Silva or himself. Bitterness or Reality? Whatever the case, I'm now salivating over any potential Franklin v. Lindland matchup. Personally, I think Franklin would destroy him, but that could be my personal UFC bias.

williamN · 07-25-2007, 05:50 AM

" BN: Do you think that’s why the UFC released you from your contract?

ML: Why do I think they released me? I think they were trying to push Rich Franklin. I think that was pretty apparent. I asked for a Ken Shamrock or a Royce Gracie fight, and he was built up. It’s an old pro-wrestling move. It’s called getting him over. That’s what the UFC did with Rich. They got him over by giving him Ken Shamrock and feeding him some other cans and all of a sudden he’s the champ. "

I agree with this statement.

opsy · 07-25-2007, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heatwaves

I'm only realizing right now that opsy used my quote as a sig. Muy props. I'm totally blushing right now... followed by a lightly sharting my pants.

LoL, I use it to show my appreciation for your guidance. For once I was in a dark place, wandering FF, posting without power. I publicly thank you sir.

p19101 · 07-25-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeXVX

I think he is right about a lot of other people being able to beat Silva.... the UFC just dosnt have ANY OF THEM! like at all.

Lindland and Kang being first that come to mind.

Hendo dropping down would destroy Silva imo.

GeorgeXVX · 07-25-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p19101

Hendo dropping down would destroy Silva imo.

without question....

Wehn Quadros said they should have Anderson Silva vs. Hendo for a 185lb belt Bas laughed and said

"I dont think Silva is at that level yet"

Gygax · 07-25-2007, 09:45 AM

Hendo would beat Silva handily in my opinion. But likewise, Hendo would beat Lindland easily as well.

Matt says it himself in the interview,that he could care less about giving the fans an entertaining fight, its about winning to him. At all costs. Like when he bit his opponent in the Olympic Trials. Or when he used the US Supreme Court to get on that Olympic team. And this interview comes a week after complaining how he has to fight everyone besides his opponent including the refs.

Normo · 07-25-2007, 11:12 AM

I never really liked Lindland and this makes me dislike him even more. He thinks he can beat like everyone in the top 10 yet he hasnt proved anything, Hes so big headed yet hes done nothing for it. I personally think Silva and Franklin would T/KO Lindland, and I hope they get to fight just to shut him up.

Nimmy · 07-25-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normo

I never really liked Lindland and this makes me dislie him even more. He thinks he can beat like everyone in the top 10 yet he hasnt proved anything, Hes so big headed yet hes done nothing for it. I personally think Silva and Franklin would T/KO Lindland, and I hope they get to fight just to shut him up.

i agree