4 people turned down Silva fight before Irvin accepted!

WanderleiSliver · 07-08-2008, 10:10 AM

Bring me a dream: An exclusive interview with James “The Sandman” Irvin at UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com

"Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): What is you contract status with the UFC?

James Irvin: I have one more fight on my contract after this fight (with Silva) so usually we start negotiating after that. I’m sure it will weigh in my favor that they had four people turn down this fight with Anderson before I accepted.

Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Wait a second, four people were offered this fight and said no?

James Irvin: I was very surprised myself and to be honest I was kind of let down by one or two of the names. I thought they would have done very well in this fight.

Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Wow, who was the most surprising name?

James Irvin: Uh, well most of them are buddies of mine so I’m gonna leave that be. I’m sure it will come out over time. Not that it really matters, all that matters is who said yes. I didn’t hesitate for a second. It’s funny I had actually talked to (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva a week prior to all this and I told him I want to fight Wanderlei Silva and he told me Wanderlei wasn’t fighting until December. I told him, in fact I begged him for a top ten opponent. A week later I’m fighting Anderson Silva."

Any ideas on who might have ducked Silva?, I'm in no way mocking the fighters that did but it is very interesting.

T-Bone · 07-08-2008, 10:37 AM

This could go either way in that it could be big names (to attract viewers away from Affliction) or it could be lesser-knowns since it's a free event.

Tough call...hmmm...
chance to make history v. knowing you're a sacrifical lamb anti-affliction pawn.

Maybe they turned it down b/c the $ wasn't right.

WanderleiSliver · 07-08-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone

This could go either way in that it could be big names (to attract viewers away from Affliction) or it could be lesser-knowns since it's a free event.

Tough call...hmmm...
chance to make history v. knowing you're a sacrifical lamb anti-affliction pawn.

Maybe they turned it down b/c the $ wasn't right.

I was always thinking they picked the wrong main event for a counter-program. So maybe they had something bigger planned, but couldn't get big names to accept a fight with Silva. He also says a couple of them are buddies of his, is there anyone in his camp that fits the bill?.

nublood · 07-08-2008, 10:47 AM

Wow. James wanted a piece of Wandy? That's what I like about The Sandman. In his heart, he has a chance of beating anybody and there's nothing wrong with that. And I wonder who Wandy is facing in December?

Good read btw.

BIGSLEY · 07-08-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone

This could go either way in that it could be big names (to attract viewers away from Affliction) or it could be lesser-knowns since it's a free event.

Tough call...hmmm...
chance to make history v. knowing you're a sacrifical lamb anti-affliction pawn.

Maybe they turned it down b/c the $ wasn't right.

cant wait to find out who wins this one ! i will be in a suite at the affliction fight live so i will have to record it and watch it the next day. I'm also curious who would turn that down $$$ is $$$$

nublood · 07-08-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGSLEY

cant wait to find out who wins this one ! i will be in a suite at the affliction fight live so i will have to record it and watch it the next day. I'm also curious who would turn that down $$$ is $$$$

Somebody's got some chedda'! Could you spot me a bill or two?

jetmechG550 · 07-08-2008, 04:57 PM

Some may have turned it down for not enough time to prepare

stillstanding · 07-08-2008, 05:07 PM

I think people durned it down because of the fact that Anderson Silva is extremely talented and he is a 185 pound fighter. It would look bad that you lost to a fighter who went up in weight to fight you. (the exception should be Anderson though

) THe fact is that there is too much to lose and not enough to gain.

OneBigThrow · 07-08-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Some may have turned it down for not enough time to prepare

im sure thats all it is, its most likely not that bg of a deal as we make it out to be

Mickey Finn · 07-09-2008, 02:42 AM

i heard karo was one of them

Mickey Finn · 07-09-2008, 02:45 AM

i like irvin, hes a tough dude that likes to fight and he always puts on an interesting show. and i think hes more than just a brawler as well. he has decent hands and with his strength and athleticism if he improved his takedown defense he could provide some ranked fighters with some trouble

Brad · 07-09-2008, 12:15 PM

I think Brandon Vera was one, I think he was offered both Machida and Silva, and he said no to both because he didn't have enough time to prepare, which is fair enough after the space between this and his last fight.

RockemSockem · 07-09-2008, 12:33 PM

Vera is only confirmed to have turned down Machida. I've heard a couple of rumors that Sokoudjou was one of them, but nothing reliable.

MTKrav911 · 07-09-2008, 02:17 PM

Irvin has always been one of my favs that due to injury has just had bad luck.

I think he could be a contender one day, and he also has some subs in his arsenal too.

Tuffguy · 07-10-2008, 04:49 PM

If I had to guess...and I'm just guessing...I'd go with Houston Alexander. They clearly wanted someone to stand and bang with Silva. For that I'm going with Alexander because he likes to throw down. He could have said no because he's already got 2 losses...1 more will do nothing for him.

shogun ninja · 07-12-2008, 12:39 PM

lol Who wouldnt be scared to fight Anderson Silva? Im sure ge got the whole 205 roster ****ting their pants daily.

eduardo87s · 07-12-2008, 01:13 PM

IF Vera ducked him it wasn't because he didn't have time to prepare because he is fighting that night. Or maybe he wanted more time to prepare if it was anderson who he was fighting, just guessing...

shogun ninja · 07-12-2008, 02:23 PM

I dont agree with Irvin making a comment like that and not saying who it were that ducked. If he gonna say it then he gotto have the ballz to say who it was so that the real fight fans get the jizz.

Dr.Robotnik · 07-12-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shogun ninja

I dont agree with Irvin making a comment like that and not saying who it were that ducked. If he gonna say it then he gotto have the ballz to say who it was so that the real fight fans get the jizz.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHAAHAHA!

Tuffguy · 07-15-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shogun ninja

I dont agree with Irvin making a comment like that and not saying who it were that ducked. If he gonna say it then he gotto have the ballz to say who it was so that the real fight fans get the jizz.

Actually...I'm ok with no jizz :P