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Did any of these guys watch the Sonnen fight to get an idea about how to approach Silva? GSP or Jones would play it properly. What's the talk of Silva going in either direction? Either would be an amazing match-up.

Sonnen is a different fighter then Okami, with a different style of takedowns. To totally different fighters even on the ground for the most part. Sonnen's style may be OVER and that is good for the sport. If you watched the beginning fights that actually went a bit, three referees stood the action up FAR faster then they have in the past. One of them was Herb Dean. Dean is notorious for letting the action go. He almost NEVER steps in, and would allow all the lay and pray to go and let the full guard weak ass striking go. (That is what Sonnen did to Silva for 4.5 rounds) They where standing the guys up for NOT advancing there position. If this a new way of applying the rules it doesn't look good for guys like Sonnen and Okami. They will need to pass or get stood up. In my opinion, it is great for the sport and will change wagering a bit. Unless someone can find out if it was a change to the rules, and I'm sure the UFC is in favor if the change, we won't be sure for a few more events. Before the match just for the hell of it, I watched the Silva/Sonnen fight again. In a few of the cases of the takedowns it was Silva pulling guard. Silva actually adjusted his style against the cage with his arm position to stop the judo throws of Okami. Sonnen uses lower leg takedowns and it is something I don't think that Silva handles well. The roids also likely aided Sonnen later in the fight. I actually think a rematch would be a much easier fight for Silva. The lower leg takedowns are dangerous as the knee to the chin is a definite possibly and can be fight ending. Mighty mouse is one of the best at the lower leg takedown and I think it will give Cruz fits when they fight in October. I'm tempted to bet Johnson at the huge plus odds but if the rules have changed it will hurt him as well. He gets the takedowns and does nothing. About Silva fighting the guys you mentioned, it is not likely to happen. Silva would beat St. Pierre and likely easily, and Jones would likely beat the shit out of Silva. Silva's advantages are speed and reach. Jones is faster and would have a huge reach advantage. Any fight with Silva is fun to watch but I cannot see him at his age wanting those fights unless its for Millions. We'll likely get to see Sonnen again if he beats Stann which I think is likely.

Knees are not an effective defense against world-class takedown artists, because the head does not come in straight. It's always off to the side. Additionally, the best are tremendous timing the shot and you get to close quarters so fast that it mutes almost all attempts to ward it off with a strike of any kind. You have to be adept with the the whizzer and sprawl, used separately or in tandem, to defend a good shooter. GSP is an extraordinary shooter. Jones is very good and has the upper-body throws to mix in, which makes him problematic in a different way. You're probably right about those fights not coming off. I don't think Silva wants to go either direction.

The key to the low leg takedown is the speed of it. Unless you have that skill, and it doesn't seem like many can learn it, you will get caught by the knee. Guys like Sonnen and Johnson have the speed and just as importantly the commitment to complete it. Okami, doesn't have that skill or speed. I still think that Silva was injured either prior to or during the fight with Sonnen. Like you said, world-class takedown artists. Not many of those floating around at 185.

Speed is great, but it's often more about timing and technique once into the action. If you have it all, then you're all but unstoppable by anyone except your takedown equal. For example, the Greco specialists aren't usually fast, but they have such tremendous technique and distract with the threat of the throw that they get a lot of traditional double- and single-leg takedowns. Still disagree about the knee. How often have you seen it? Not often, if at all. Instead they use the defenses I mentioned. They call it "stuffing" in MMA, but it's mostly whizzer and sprawl.

You are right, but against someone like Johnson, he's so fast that guys don't even get a chance to sprawl. It has been against bigger guys though. Even if Johnson does beat Cruz, he'll get beat by Benevidez. Not that I'm all that sure Johnson can beat Cruz. The reason you don't see the knee all that often is because the elite guys know how to avoid it and guys that aren't elite don't go for those type of takedowns.