UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote will come to us all live from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, on October 25, 2008. The main event?

Kind of easy to surmise, isn’t it? We’re talking about Anderson “The Spider” Silva vs. Patrick “The Predator” Cote. Brazil vs. Canada. Striker vs. Striker.

The UFC Middleweight Champion widely considered to be the best pound for pound MMA fighter on the planet (Anderson Silva) vs.


a fighter that many believe has almost no chance to come away with victory (Patrick Cote).

Of course, Cote’s friend Georges St. Pierre was once just as heavily favored against this TUF winner by the name of Matt Serra, and he ended up getting knocked out. This is why they have the fights. Speaking of this particular UFC 90 fight, let’s get to the breakdown.

Anderson Silva (22-4) vs. Patrick Cote (13-4)

Anderson Silva is considered by many to be the world’s best MMA fighter for several reasons. To start, he may just be the most technically sound stand up fighter in MMA history. Along with this, he continually demonstrates lightning-fast precision punches, solid and unbelievably efficient kicks from a distance, excellent striking power as a whole, and a clinch that is simply dangerous.

Let’s not forget that at 6-foot-2 he has some of the longest reach in the 185 pound division.

On top of it all, Silva owns a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and is very dangerous from his back with those long limbs of his.

Perhaps the only part of his game that isn’t stellar is his wrestling, particularly as it relates to his takedowns and takedown defense.

But that part of Silva’s game isn’t bad either.

Patrick Cote hits hard as his six (T)KO victories would seem to suggest. Working out of Sityodtong gym with Mark Dellagrotte in Boston has left him technically sound on his feet. Then there’s the fact that he’s also a solid wrestler with a lot of power.

Cote’s relative weaknesses would appear to reside in his submission/ jiu jitsu skills. He’s certainly capable there, but just isn’t at the level of an Anderson Silva defensively, nor offensively on the ground. Along with this, two of his four losses have come by way of submission. Interestingly, Cote’s other two losses came by way of decision.

He’s simply never been knocked out, making him one tough hombre.

Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote Prediction

Cote is physically stronger than Silva and may have better wrestling skills. Thus, he has a chance to determine where this fight will happen—standing up on or on the canvas.
Where exactly is he safe, though? On his feet, he’s going against perhaps the best striker in the history of MMA. On the ground, he has to worry about submissions.

Not good.

In the end, The Predator could come through with a big punch and stun everyone; he certainly has the power to do it and has won five consecutive fights for a reason. But the more likely scenario is that he toughs it out for longer than many believed he could on his feet before The Spider finally connects with that one knee, kick, or punch that sends him home with a loss.

I predict Anderson Silva wins via second round TKO.