MMA Link Club: Anderson Silva dances, Phoenix Jones fights crime, and Jose Aldo gives back

- Anderson Silva doesn’t want to sign autographs, he just wants to dance! (TheFightNerd)

"It looks like that case of Bieber Fever that Anderson Silva recently contracted in Brazil has worsened, as the UFC Middleweight champion was caught dancing during an autograph session at this past weekend’s UFC Fan Expo in Houston. Silva danced the night away with fans, and if you wanted to get an autograph you better be able to bust a move with the Brazilian fighter!"

- Exclusive Interview: Jorge Masvidal "I'm Gonna Smash Gilbert Melendez" (BleacherReport/MMA)

"Most of the time when I enter a fight, I’m not looking to stop a guy, but rather win a solid decision, but in this fight, I’m going for the stoppage. I’m going to put the pressure on him and make him break. I don’t want to leave it in the judges hands, especially with all the f*cked up decisions these days. This is my title shot and I have to take full advantage. I don’t know if I’ll ever get another one. Who knows what’s gonna happen in life?"

- UFC Antitrust Investigation Update – Sort Of (MMAConvert)

"Titled “Competition in Mixed Martial Arts: Ultimate Trust-Busting Championship”, the article starts off by mentioning the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which was enacted in 2000 to curb some of the evils that plagued the boxing industry from within.  Of course, MMA is not boxing, and currently the Muhammad Ali Act doesn’t apply to our beloved sport.  (Cue dramatic music crescendo.)  Yet."

- Five More Things That Dana White Would Be Pretty F*cking Stupid Not to Do (CagePotato)

"USA Today recently caught a word with UFC President Dana White where he told them that he “would be pretty f*cking stupid not to book Silva vs. Sonnen 2.” It seems that Captain Obvious has reared his head once again to the delight of almost everyone.This got me thinking about other things that, if left undone, would make Dana White pretty f*cking stupid. Keep on reading below and put me on blast for being a TUF Noob in the comments."

- One question that should never be asked of Frankie Edgar again (NBCSports/MMA)

"It took less than 10 minutes for Frankie Edgar to be asked the question that never goes away. Edgar had just defeated his sternest rival, Gray Maynard, and entered the UFC 136 post-fight press conference with a shiny gold belt and a swollen left eye, a trophy and a battle scar both emblematic of his fighting spirit. He's heard the question asked a million times in a million different ways, and it's always about his size."

- Back to Basics: Takeaways from UFC shifting PPV start times back to 10 PM (FightOpinion)

"The move to get prelims going on TV at 9 PM EST and PPV start backs time to 10 PM EST is probably the right move, although I would say that upping the start time still does not address the fact that MMA will always be a niche sport, especially during the Fall & Winter when you are competing against college football & other live sporting events on television."

- An amateur MMA fighter is a real life superhero...Kinda (MiddleEasy)

"It turns out the brother of Strikeforce's Caros Fodor, Ben "Flattop" Fodor, is not only an amateur MMA fighter, but is the alias of Seattle crimefighter Phoenix Jones! Rare footage was caught Sunday night as Phoenix Jones chased down a group of alleged criminals and taught them a lesson they won't soon forget."

- Fun Size fits all: Interview Exclusive with Bellator Bantamweight Champion Zach Makovsky (MMAMania)

"I started fighting professionally in 2006 and I'm very slowly getting comfortable striking in a real fight. It's coming, but I think I have a lot more to show in that area but I'm not gonna forget what got me to where I am. It's mixed martial arts for a reason. You don't go out there just to kickbox or anything."

- My First Fight: Rich "Ace" Franklin (MMAFighting)

"I had no aspirations of becoming a pro fighter or anything like that," Franklin says now. "But I saw the first UFC and I was immediately hooked.I remember thinking, if I ever get into a fight on the street I'd better know how to fight on the ground, because clearly some people know a lot more about it than others."

- Grappling with Issues – 10/12/11 (Five Ounces of Pain)

"Was Frankie Edgar‘s win over Gray Maynard at UFC 136 the best performance by a UFC champion so far this year? Do Chael Sonnen‘s antics rub you the wrong way? Will Rashad Evans get his elusive title-shot in 2012? What’s next for Kenny Florian? Keyboard warrrrriors….come out to plaaaay-yay!"

- Payout Analysis: The Strikeforce Death Knell? (MMAPayOut)

"Over the past 5 months Strikeforce had their top draws cherry-picked by the UFC, an impressive list that includes former Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem, former welterweight champ Nick Diaz and Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Dan Henderson. It’s almost certain the Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez will join them. By hollowing out the promotions champions, Zuffa’s actions speak louder then words and Showtime should be getting the message now loud and clear."

- Jose Aldo Continues to Give Back to His Community (5thRound)

"UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo is the epitome of a rags to riches story. Although the 25-year-old has emerged as one of MMA’s biggest superstars, the Brazilian has never forgotten about the slums from where he once came. Following his unanimous decision victory over Kenny Florian at UFC 136, Aldo has once again teamed up with Nova Uniao to raise money for the kids in his financially-plagued community."

Photo: Francis Specker