Never has a caption been so unnecessary. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Every text is written to be read. This one, however, I wish was even more so. Not because I believe it contains the most incredible lines in the galaxy and therefore deserves to be “appreciated”. But so that the discourse that diverges from what has taken over most forms of communication, from conversation circles to social networks, also has a place. The matter, discussed in the early hours of Sunday, July 7, 2013, could not escape the defeat of Anderson Silva for Chris Weidman at UFC 162.
I'll start with the obvious: Anderson Silva is still the greatest MMA fighter of all time. His reign – which some might translate as invincibility – may not have been the longest in the sport, but he has unquestionable numbers. And more than that, not to limit the observation to the coldness of the data, the way he achieved these records was impressive. Furthermore, without being a young man, he did so at a time of evident tactical improvement in the sport – in which the technical, physical and psychological combination is at a level never seen before. But I emphasize: there is room for disagreement. And I accept it.
Having said that, I continue with a point that I consider fundamental in the discussion about the defeat against Chris Weidman: Brazilians’ “disrespectful” behavior. It might surprise those who aren't used to seeing Spider fight what he did against the North American in combat, but not me. This is usually Anderson Silva inside the octagon. It is the style that established him as one of the most undisputed champions in the history of MMA and that made him have spectacular moments in his victories – and now, consequently, such an embarrassing defeat. It's not illegal. It can be immoral. But let's face it, moralism at this point can sound like opportunism, motivated by the natural shock of a surprising failure.
If there's one thing I learned from José Miguel Wisnik, who guided the entire production of the monograph to complete my degree, it's that this is what sport is: constantly dealing with the feeling of loss, or that you could lose. A limit that Anderson Silva or the fans ignored it, they did it in a very wrong way. The dispute consists of this. There is no such thing as invincible in sport. And even if someone has gone through a sport without being defeated, they certainly live daily with the feeling that they could be defeated. If there is no unbeatable, on the other hand there are favorites. And favoritism, due to historical conditions, is the cause of the surprise setback.
But there is then another important question to be debated: how much did Anderson lose measure in his stance? There is an obvious limitation of carrying out such measurement objectively. We then move on to subjective scales. My opinion is that Spider poorly balanced the intensity of this characteristic of his game. As I have already done on other occasions, it is worth highlighting – the most glaring of them, I believe, at UFC 112, against Demian Maia. What makes such an unfortunate choice stand out even more this time, it seems clear to me, is the end result. Before, the Brazilian's mistake in the euphoria of victory was covered up, although not completely. Still, based on the overall average, the former champion's strategy proved to be efficient. However, as has been proven, it is not infallible.
Which brings us to a factor that has been little remembered about the confrontation: there was another guy on the other side of the octagon. An undefeated fighter who has victories against none other than: Demian Maia, Mark Muñoz, the “Ambulance Man” and TUF 17 sensation Uriah Hall and now, Anderson Silva. Chris Weidman put up a great fight. The North American managed to exploit a hitherto little talked about loophole in the Brazilian's game, avoiding the recurring notion that to beat Spider it was necessary to have a good level of wrestling to take him to the ground and then hit the hand to punish him. in ground and pound.
Weidman, using a very popular term, “gave Anderson a rope to hang himself”. There's no denying that he was a little shaken by the Brazilian's mental game, but not enough for the great opportunity to defeat his opponent to go unnoticed. The new champion was perceptive in noticing the excessive behavior of his opponent – who did not launch a counterattack, even after two excellent dodges – and, as he mentioned in the press conference after the event, he did not stop advancing. He insisted on a third blow, a left, which touched Spider's chin and took him to the ground. The fate of the fight was sealed there. The following attacks, even more powerful ones, were a mere prop. The damage had already been done. The surprise of an unexpected touch made Anderson Silva, one day after an unusual “peck” in Chris Weidman at the weigh-in, kissing the canvas for the first time in his entire career.
PS: The author apologizes for the infamous wordplay. It is certainly the result of the production still in the heat of the event and the conclusion at almost six in the morning on Sunday, July 7, 2013, the “day after”.