The UFC made huge news earlier this week when they announced that Nick Diaz would return to fight Anderson Silva at UFC 183 on January 31st. Well, the first lines are popping up, and Silva has opened a (-350) favorite, with the comeback on Diaz at (-347).
Look for Nick Diaz’ and his droves of fans to make that line closer before fight time. Diaz has already started the hype train going in his direction, as the media announcement of the fight came with a bevy of eclectic quotes from the ‘Bad Boy’. Highest on quotability factor was his “I don’t want to fight Anderson Silva, but it is something I feel I have to do”. Diaz is going to be the dark, brooding anti-hero for this one.
When will Anderson Silva check in? Silva is largely silent in the english speaking media, but as a personality he is also quite eccentric and quotable. For years, he has entertained and held court with the Brazilian press. Mixing confidence and disdain, and he is loved by most and hated by some. But that he once was the best fighter on the planet cannot be questioned, and that is what the line reflects.
Silva has a lot more to prove going into this fight than Diaz does however. Both have lost 2 in a row, but despite that, both are among the biggest draws and both are being well paid for the fight. Diaz will not have fought for close to two years when he enters the octagon against Silva, but his leave can be mainly attributed to his being burnt out and looking for the motivation of a big fight. His ego asked for it. well, he has it.
But Silva is driven by something else. Nearing 40, Silva really had no reason to comeback after having suffered such a terrible injury, his legacy as an all time great is set in stone. He can only damage that legacy, and of course, he runs the risk of another big injury. Despite all of the factors against it, Silva has been adamant since almost immediately after the fight stating that he would fight again. So his ego is his driving force too.
