A. Silva turns 45 years old. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @spiderandersonsilva
Anderson Silva turns 45 years old. Considered by many to be the greatest athlete in the history of MMA, the Brazilian wrote his name in gold in the sport. With a unique style, the athlete established himself as an icon of a generation of fighters in mixed martial arts.
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Born in São Paulo, the athlete, together with Wanderlei Silva, Vítor Belfort, Royce gracie and many others, helped spread MMA to Brazil and took the lead for many years within the UFC. Considered unbeatable for a long period of his career, 'Spider' – as he is known – gained iconic status and, even far from his peak, continues to be highly respected within the sport.
In honor of the legend, our team selected 10 memorable moments from the fighter's career, who today fights against time and continues to reinforce his love for the sport, attracting millions of spectators every time he steps into the Octagon.
1) The epic victory over Rich Franklin and winning the belt
A. Silva (left) won the middleweight belt against R. Franklin (right) in 2006. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @spiderandersonsilva
The date: October 14, 2006. Anderson had made his UFC debut in April, when he defeated Chris Laben by knockout in the first round. His unique fighting style was already talked about behind the scenes at Ultimate and, after his debut, Silva was chosen to face the then middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg), Rich Franklin.
The North American won the division title in 2005, when he beat his compatriot, Evan Tanner, at UFC 53. Franklin had already defended his number one position on two occasions, but he could not imagine that the confrontation against Anderson would mark his history for ever.
The fight was a dance, literally. 'Sipder', in his best style, seemed to dance in front of his opponent. With quick and precise movements, Silva took no notice of his rival and delivered one of the most striking knockouts in UFC history, winning the title in the first round and beginning a successful trajectory in Ultimate.
Rich ended up receiving the opportunity to try to regain his title against 'Spider' a year later, but, again, he ended up succumbing to the Brazilian's genius.
2) The show about Forrest Griffin
A. Silva gave one of the best performances in MMA history against F. Griffin. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC MMA and football
In 2009, Silva had already made history by equaling the company's record of five belt defenses. The athlete, after beating his compatriot Thales leites at UFC 97, he accepted to play in the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg) for a new challenge.
The Brazilian was selected to face Forrest griffin on card number 101. The public that was present at the Wachovia Center, in Philadelphia, on August 8 of the same year, however, had no idea that they would witness something historic in the co-main fight of the night.
Even playing against a potentially more dangerous and stronger opponent, Silva once again showed why he is considered an athlete ahead of his time. Acting safely and without straying from his characteristics, 'Spider' needed 3m23s to shock the world and promote one of the most spectacular knockouts in the history of the sport and one of the best performances ever seen.
3) Chael Sonnen: biggest rival
A. Silva (left) and C. Sonnen (right) facing each other for their first meeting. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC
After becoming middleweight champion, Anderson lined up 'victims' and began to create a certain concern within the organization. The fighter needed a rival who could put his reign in danger, in some way.
It took five title defenses for the company to reach Chael Sonnen, probably the biggest opponent – in promotion – of the Brazilian’s career.
Despite not being one of the greatest athletes to ever step foot in the Ultimate Octagon, Sonnen took 'trash talking' (a way of provoking his opponent) to another level. What we see today Conor McGregor it had already been done for years by the 'American Gangster' – kept in due proportions.
In August 2010, at UFC 117, the Brazilian and the North American were finally placed face to face inside the combat arena. After many provocations from Sonnen, who confidently stated that he would put an end to Silva's reign, the American, in fact, managed to shock the world.
In a five-round fight, Chael completely dominated Anderson, something never seen before. Competent in wrestling, the North American used the sport to keep 'Spider' on the ground and didn't allow the Brazilian to act in his comfort zone: striking.
However, genius spoke louder. As in a Hollywood script, Anderson, after being severely punished, in the final seconds of the last round, found an armbar and forced his rival to give up, sending the audience into a frenzy and showing why he is considered the best. from that time.
Anderson not only retained his title, but also won the 'Fight' and Submission of the Night bonus, as well as extending his record for title defenses to seven.
Like Franklin, Sonnen also had his rematch against Silva, but the scenario of the fight, in July 2012, was completely different. More confident and experienced, Anderson knocked out the American in the second round, putting on a show for his fans and the public watching the fight in Las Vegas (USA).
4) The fall of the 'Phenomenon'
A. Silva knocked out his rival at 3:25 of the first round. Photo: Reproduction/Youtube @ufc
At UFC 126, Ultimate wanted to give the world a fight between two of the biggest names in Brazilian MMA. With the middleweight title on the line, Dana White and his team stepped up Vitor belfort to challenge Silva for the title.
At the time, the 'Phenomenon' was on a streak of five consecutive victories – four by knockout. For the company's management, there is nothing better than promoting the meeting of two icons.
Given a lot of promotion, the athletes gave a 'taste' of what was going to happen at the ceremonial weigh-in, the night before the fight, when they touched their faces and had to be separated by team members.
On February 5th, then, the fight. There was a lot of expectation about who would win the confrontation: Belfort's aggression or Anderson's talent and genius.
There was no other way. After a tense start, with studies from both sides, Silva gave further proof of his mastery in the octagon. With a direct kick to his compatriot's jaw, Anderson knocked out his opponent and promoted another remarkable episode working for Ultimate.
After the victory, the São Paulo native confirmed that the blow was a result of teachings by action film star, Steven Seagal, who is a great master of martial arts.
5) Fight against Bonnar: new show
A. Silva (right) fights with his guard down against S. Bonnar, in 2012. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube MMA Octagon
In 2012, the popularity of Anderson Silva it was already far from being that of an ordinary fighter. Since his debut in Ultimate, the Brazilian had already appeared on 15 occasions and had never lost a fight. At the time, the athlete was the main name of the organization and, as a good employee, he decided to help the company and save the card that would mark UFC Rio 3.
The main fight of the event would mark the title defense of José Aldo, which would face Frankie Edgar for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg.). The man from Manaus, however, suffered a foot injury and was forced to leave the card.
Anderson then took action and took on the challenge of facing Stephan bonnar in the main event of the event. Once again playing in the light heavyweight division, Silva once again put on a show.
Applauded upon entering the octagon, 'Spider', who would not put his middleweight belt on the line, entered the arena with the duty of entertaining the public. And that's what he did.
The presentation took exactly 4m39s. Silva, in his best style, played with his guard down for most of the confrontation and even allowed himself to be touched by the North American on a few occasions. The highlight of the confrontation was when the Brazilian leaned against the railing with his guard down and continued to dodge his rival's attacks, sending the audience into ecstasy. When he wanted, the São Paulo native delivered a hard knockout to Bonnar, who fell after a well-aimed knee to the waist. Genius.
6) The drama of the legend
A. Silva breaks his leg in a fight against C. Weidman, in 2013. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube Adriano Freitas
Nine months after the show against Stephan, Anderson suffered one of the biggest blows of his career. After shocking the world by losing the middleweight belt to the then little-known Chris Weidman, in July 2013, five months later, the Brazilian would have the opportunity to regain his position.
The card: UFC 168. It was December 2013 and little did viewers know that they were about to witness the agony of a legend. Determined to regain his title, Anderson acted seriously against Chris. Criticized after, according to some, overindulging in jokes during their first meeting, Silva seemed more focused on his new commitment.
The fight remained balanced until, after trying a low kick, the 'Spider' ended up starring in one of the most shocking moments in the history of MMA.
In the images, Anderson's shin visibly breaks in half. Later, after medical care, the diagnosis was made: the tibia and fibula bones of the left leg were fractured. Anderson's career was in doubt from then on.
7) The return
N. Diaz (right) was responsible for welcoming A. Silva to the octagon in 2015. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC
After Silva's serious injury, many questioned whether the athlete would be able to return to the sport after undergoing surgery and facing a rigorous recovery period. But Anderson is Anderson.
Just over a year after the shocking episode, the athlete stepped back into the octagon and faced another MMA icon: Nick Diaz.
Known for his acid provocations towards his opponents, Nick broke the rules and showed all respect for Silva, maintaining the level of promotion of the event against the Brazilian.
In the fight itself, Anderson was unable to perform like before, but ended up beating the North American by unanimous decision from the judges in the main fight of UFC 183, in January 2015. Subsequently, the result of the fight ended up changing due to the fact that so much ' Spider' and Diaz were caught taking anti-doping tests.
8) Anderson Salva
A. Silva (right) faced D. Cormier in 2016. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @spiderandersonsilva
In 2016, 'Spider' no longer held the middleweight title, but still maintained the respect of the organization, in addition to the athletes who work in Ultimate. The name of the time was Jon Jones, owner of the light heavyweight title (up to 93kg.), but who leads a contradictory life outside the Octagon.
Close to UFC 200, 'Bones' ended up caught in an anti-doping test and had to leave the fight against his biggest rival, Daniel Cormier. Anderson then offered to replace his co-worker and agreed to face DC, who was going through a great moment in his career, two days in advance.
The victory didn't come, but, just like in the Rocky Balboa films, Anderson left the octagon applauded by the public and was happy to have competently faced one of the biggest names in the company on that occasion. In the fight, Silva was declared defeated by the judges' unanimous decision.
9) Experience x Youth
A. Silva surprised with a high-level performance. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook ufcbrasil
In MMA since 1997, Anderson Silva, without a doubt, studied the sport at school. This fact meant that, in February last year, the Brazilian was chosen to exchange forces against one of the biggest promises in the lightweight division: Israel adesanya.
A self-confessed fan of the Brazilian, the Nigerian – who would become interim champion of the category in his next appointment – has always stated that he sees 'Spider' as an example. With similar styles, the organization decided to put them to fight.
In the fight, a curious challenge. Older and far from his prime, Anderson now seems to be having fun in the octagon. It was a fight between mirror and reflection; experience versus youth.
After three rounds, Adesanya ended up being declared the winner by the judges' decision, but paid due respect to his idol at the end of the performance.
10) Retirement?
A. Silva still plans to fulfill his contract with the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook ufcbrasil
Having just turned 45, Anderson is far from thinking about hanging up his gloves. Anyone who follows the athlete's social media can see that 'Spider' always makes a point of staying in shape and is up to date with his training. Silva's frequency in the octagon is, of course, lower than it was years ago, but even so, the fighter admitted that he still has some fights left in his contract and intends to fulfill them.
It is common, in interviews, to hear Anderson stating that he no longer dreams of winning a belt. Her presentations are made solely and exclusively out of love for the sport. It is a fact, however, that everyone stops to watch when Silva puts on his gloves and steps into the octagon. Whether he wins or not, he is a living legend and deserves all the respect.
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