Is Anderson losing his mental edge?

I think plenty of people would agree that some fighters seem to be beaten before they even step into the cage with Anderson. Fighters just don't look like themselves in the cage with Anderson. Now I realize the skill of Anderson play a major factor in that but it always seemed Anderson had the mental edge as well. Other fighters have said the same.
But it seems that Anderson's recent performances has given the rest of the divison a kind of hope or confidence. I know the Maia-Anderson fight wasn't really close in any way but IMO it had a similar effect that Shogun vs Machida 1 had. It gave the entire divison a boost of confidence.
I read some quotes from Bisping today that got me thinking and inpiring me to make this thread.

"I think everyone wants to fight Anderson Silva off the back of the Demian Maia fight -- I want to fight him after that. If he tried that s**t with me he'd get a toe-punt right on the chin! I couldn't understand it. I suppose it was a bit disrespectful to start with and, to be honest, I thought Demian Maia won the last two rounds. When it came to the decision I wasn't sure, you're never sure, Demian might have stolen it."
- Bisping's quote

No, I just think Anderson hasnt been giving his fights his all which is apparent.

If he wanted to, he could knock anyone out IMO.

NoRegret wrote:

No, I just think Anderson hasnt been giving his fights his all which is apparent.

If he wanted to, he could knock anyone out IMO.

I'm not saying his skills aren't still there. Not even implying that he lost a step. But has he given the rest of the divison a little glimpse of light? It just seems to me the mentality of the other fighters have changed. Kind of starting with Cote.

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

NoRegret wrote:

No, I just think Anderson hasnt been giving his fights his all which is apparent.

If he wanted to, he could knock anyone out IMO.

I'm not saying his skills aren't still there. Not even implying that he lost a step. But has he given the rest of the divison a little glymps of light? It just seems to me the mentality of the other fighters have changed. Kind of starting with Cote.

light or no light I still dont see anyone beating him lol

BRING ON GSP! I'm ready for my dude to wreck on Silva!

I usually defend Bisbing but he's out his fucking mind with this shit.

" Demian might have stolen it." are you kidding me? The only reason Maia lasted the whole fight is because Silva thought he was trying out for a part in the next stomp the yard movie had he realised he was in the cage he would have finished Maia.

I did think that Maia took at least one of the final 2 rounds though

killerofchicken wrote:

I did think that Maia took at least one of the final 2 rounds though

Maybe both, but even with those you would have to think the first 2 rounds were probably 10-8 for Anderson and round 3 was for Anderson. So even with the last 2 rounds Anderson wins easy.

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

killerofchicken wrote:

I did think that Maia took at least one of the final 2 rounds though

Maybe both, but even with those you would have to think the first 2 rounds were probably 10-8 for Anderson and round 3 was for Anderson. So even with the last 2 rounds Anderson wins easy.

No doubt about that... still hate the baby jesus out of him

Bisping would be completely destroyed by Anderson and in embarrassing fashion.

Big talk from a guy who will never reach a Title fight.

The mental edge that Anderson hasn't really lost anyways, returns after he finishes Sonnen in exciting fashion

I understand what you're trying to say sooner but with Machida he lost his invincibility factor against Rua, Silva just choose to clown around against Maia, he never looked vulnerable once.

Ali_1748 wrote:

I understand what you're trying to say sooner but with Machida he lost his invincibility factor against Rua, Silva just choose to clown around against Maia, he never looked vulnerable once.

Yeah I realize the fights did not play out the same at all. But at the end of the Maia fight I still think some fighters saw the lack of killer instinct as the fight went on. I personally think it did give just a sliver of hope to the division. I'm not saying there was some major change in how every fighter views him...just a minor change. They still understand Silva is the man, just maybe not the man they thought he was.

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

Ali_1748 wrote:

I understand what you're trying to say sooner but with Machida he lost his invincibility factor against Rua, Silva just choose to clown around against Maia, he never looked vulnerable once.

Yeah I realize the fights did not play out the same at all. But at the end of the Maia fight I still think some fighters saw the lack of killer instinct as the fight went on. I personally think it did give just a sliver of hope to the division. I'm not saying there was some major change in how every fighter views him...just a minor change. They still understand Silva is the man, just maybe not the man they thought he was.

I hope you're right, because confident challengers will bring out the best in Silva.

Good, I really don't like Spider at all but if he has to be the man I want to see him perform at his highest level possible.

Ali_1748 wrote:

I understand what you're trying to say sooner but with Machida he lost his invincibility factor against Rua, Silva just choose to clown around against Maia, he never looked vulnerable once.

I would say he looked vulnerable once when mai clipped him.

Cu Bua wrote:

Ali_1748 wrote:

I understand what you're trying to say sooner but with Machida he lost his invincibility factor against Rua, Silva just choose to clown around against Maia, he never looked vulnerable once.

I would say he looked vulnerable once when mai clipped him.

Nah, Anderson was just surprised Maia actually managed to catch him. He wasn't buzzed like others claim.