A big knock on the UFC in recent months has been the perception that they “protect” their top fighters. There is some discussion that the UFC won’t put up the money to sign top fighters from other promotions in order to keep their star title holders from the possibility of losing.

Whether this is the case or not, the UFC has signed a great middleweight contender in Anderson Silva. To the casual newcomer to MMA by way of the Ultimate Fighter reality show, Anderson Silva may be an unknown name. Definatly not as well know as Chris Leben. However, to the die-hard MMA follower Anderson Silva is known as Pride veteran who holds wins against Carlos Newton, Tony Fryklund, Hayato Sakurai, Jorge Rivera, and Jeremy Horn.

Silva has fought in Shooto, Pride, and most recently Cage Rage and holds a records of 15-4. On June 28 at the UFC’s Ultimate Fight Night, Silva, a Muay-Thai expert, will face off against the heavy-handed Chris Leben, a TUF season 1 contestant. Leben has a record of 15-1 and has run off six straight wins after a loss to Joe Doerksen in May of 2004.

Personally, I think Silva will win this fight in the second round. Leben has never faced a Muay Thai fighter with the skills of Anderson Silva. Now in the main event, Leben has the chance to prove what kind of MMA fighter he truly is, and Silva has the chance to expose himself to the US fight scene in a big way.