Because some fighters have more to lose than others.
Back-to-back insomnia solutions ported Silva from professor to pariah overnight. If he finds a way to behave eccentrically against
Forrest Griffin, the UFC is going to have to consider arming his next opponent.
The WEC featherweight has lost three straight bouts against stiff competition: if he can’t chamber a new career at 135 lbs. against
Takeya Mizugaki, he’s probably due for the Phone Call.™
The ersatz
Forrest Griffin and “Ultimate Fighter” finalist -- who entered the show with zero professional bouts -- impressed with the underdog victory in June 2008, but dropped out of sight due to a broken clavicle and leg infection. Not his fault, but it’s also not exactly setting the world on fire. Absentee attractions don’t move tickets.
The athletically-temperamental lightweight said he likely would have retired if he had defeated
Georges St. Pierre in January, casting his interest in doubt; he also put off fans by dwelling on GSP’s lubricated torso. Fortunately, fans only remember what you did last. If he can beat Florian convincingly, it’ll be an amnesic to what’s been an otherwise forgettable year.