The final fights of this season of The Ultimate Fighter are set, with lightweights Phillipe Nover and Efrain Escudero and light heavyweights Ryan Bader and Vinny Magalhaes fighting on December 13 to earn a contract with the UFC.And on Wednesday night, it was confirmed that Nover is the so-called "next Anderson Silva," with none other than Silva's friend and training partner, UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, making the comparison on last night's show.
"Phillipe, he becomes a mean guy," Nogueira said. "He's a bad guy when he's going to fight. Anderson Silva, he's the same way as him."
UFC President Dana White added, "This kid is one of the most talented kids I've seen on The Ultimate Fighter, ever. I'm very excited about the possibilities for Phillipe Nover."
Nover still has to beat Escudero in the finale, so we shouldn't coronate him just yet. But just as we'll see former Ultimate Fighter winners Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans battle for the light heavyweight title at UFC 92, I could definitely see Nover winning this season of The Ultimate Fighter and fight for the UFC lightweight belt some day.
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