Celebrities comment on A. Silva's farewell (center) and remember the legend's memorable moments. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
October 31, 2020 could go down in MMA history as the farewell of one of the biggest names in the sport. Anderson Silva will fight against Uriah Hall, UFC Las Vegas 12, and, despite not having yet decided on retirement, the SUPER FIGHTS selected and conducted an exclusive interview with artists who like and practice martial arts to talk about the career of the former middleweight champion (83,9kg).
Actors André Ramiro, Juliano Cazarré, Júlio Rocha, Murilo Rosa, Theo Becker and chef Henrique Fogaça analyzed the legacy of Anderson Silva, highlighted its importance and recalled historical moments played by it over the years.
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everyone knows that Anderson Silva He is a special fighter and his many qualities were seen in the responses, as everyone highlighted different aspects.
André: “One of the most important things is the mental side, the head. It's 70% mental and 30% training and repetition. One of the characteristics that has always enchanted me about Anderson is his confidence. It's such a level of confidence in your training and technique that there's nothing else to say. It’s all proven”
Juliano: “The most striking characteristic has always been unpredictability. Anderson appeared in a different way in each fight. It's very difficult for the opponent to deal with, because he's skilled on the ground and, on his feet, he's a monster! He destroys and controls distance like no one else. His defense, his dodges. He is a very complete fighter, but I highlight his unpredictability, which is one of the Brazilians’ greatest strengths.”
Júlio: “Anderson is brilliant. They weren't just fights, they were spectacles. He is more than a fighter. Anderson is an artist! I highlight his sense of humor, his charisma. I see Anderson as a superhero and his fights were movies for me”
Murilo: “The characteristic that marked me most was his calmness during the fight. This is amazing! He wasn't angry but calm, cold and agile. Of course everyone was nervous, but he hid it. Anderson's body type also draws attention. He's not that pumped-up guy, he's tall, more skinny, with a long reach. He is a perfect fighter to be replicated in a game. For me, he was the coldest fighter I saw in the Octagon”
Theo: “The characteristic of Anderson that impacted me the most is his variety of strikes and his confidence before the fight. He always tries to win psychologically.”
Fogaça: “The way he fights. He is very relaxed in the octagon, has an upbeat, cheerful energy and is happy fighting. That’s what I feel when I watch Anderson’s performances”
Unforgettable moments
With a long and successful career in MMA, the Brazilian has no shortage of notable performances and moves and were remembered in detail.
André: “Anderson has memorable fights! The first one that comes to mind is against Forrest griffin. That was brilliant! This fight went down in MMA history. Anderson was at his peak. In addition to putting on a show, he made the fights look easy. Against Forrest, this was even more evident. He's a good fighter, he faced several challenges and was taken out for nothing. Anderson dodged and knocked him down with one punch! He was so embarrassed that he even ran away. That shocked the world and made us think that Anderson wasn't from this planet. He also had the fight against Sonnen. His heart was in his mouth, but he showed the mind of a winner. Even in a dramatic moment, he managed to win with a triangle. Sonnen is a great wrestler. He stood out more for his trash talk and was the first to challenge Anderson in that way. Then they fought again and there's nothing to say. The guy is sinister!”
Juliano: “I remember the reverse elbow that Anderson applied. He wasn't even in the UFC. Then, he got the knockout going backwards, in the Forrest griffin, It was a jab! His guy was so embarrassed, he ran out of the octagon. The perfect knockout that was the tipping point against Vitor, the comeback against Sonnen. That fight was awesome! If it was going to be a decision, it would go to Sonnen. There are many fights and memorable moments. He is a great hero of Brazilian sport”
Murilo: “There were several remarkable moves. Anderson was the UFC's greatest showman! No fighter has shined so brightly in terms of putting on beautiful fights and leaving everyone's jaw dropped. What he did to Sonnen in the first fight. The triangle, in the end, was exciting. The second fight too. The kick to Vitor. There are a lot of moves. Anderson leaves a legacy of great moments in history”
Theo: “The most memorable fight was Anderson’s comeback in the Chael Sonnen, in the last round, after being beaten by five. He got the finish in the last minute. That made a big impression on me. I can also mention Minotauro beating Bob Sapp and Vitor beating Wanderlei. The fight that frustrated me the most was Aldo against McGregor. Nothing made me more frustrated than that.”
Fogaça: “When Anderson knocked out Belfort with a kick to the jaw. It was something memorable that I never forgot!”
Legacy
Experts in MMA, our guests praised the history built by the former middleweight champion and even compared him to legends from other sports.
André: “Anderson is a great source of pride for Brazil. Not just as a martial artist. He raised Brazil to the highest level and entered the history of martial arts. He influences me as a man, black, Brazilian, winner. It is a symbol of great determination, resilience and desire to change your life. I had the opportunity to meet Anderson, when we were filming Tropa de Elite 2. We only talked, but that's it, it's Anderson! He is a great influence, a winner in every way. For me, Anderson is the Michael Jordan of MMA. He is a great reference, very respected. An example of overcoming. There's a lot of Muhammed Ali in his career. Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Anderson inspire me when I act. They are men who convey the message that you can too”
Juliano: “Anderson is a giant. It will always be a reference. He gave a new boost to the MMA scene. He came after Royce, Ruas and Bustamante. He is an athlete that we will admire forever and I hope he continues to shine. For me, Anderson is on the same level as Michael Jordan, Kelly Slater, among others. He is outstanding, he won over many fans, spread MMA around the world and helped the UFC grow. He's a giant! He will be missed in the octagon, but he leaves an impressive legacy. He always fought beautifully.”
Júlio: “Anderson’s legacy is invaluable! He is a diamond!”
Murilo: “Anderson was largely responsible for us staying awake until dawn. I would get nervous at home, I would get up, jump. It felt like I was in a game. Anderson became a legend, a myth, very quickly. He was overwhelming, because he was brilliant and put on a show. It's completely different for you to be a champion and to be a champion defending the belt for so long. Anderson goes down in history as the greatest middleweight fighter and considered by many experts to be the greatest of all time. He puts himself on the same level as Ayrton Senna, Popó and other Brazilian athletes. Defeats do not interfere with the legacy. In none of them does he take a beating or bleed. In the first fight against Weidman, Anderson joked, In the second, he got hurt. Against Bisping, he won! He lost on paper, but the reality is he knocked out Bisping! Against Cormier, he lost on points. Against Adesanya, it was a good fight. Afterwards, he got injured against Cannonier. His record of defeats is not humiliating.”
Theo: “There was nothing like it. It was incomparable! Nowadays, great fighters have emerged, but Anderson is certainly among the best fighters in history.”
Fogaça: “Anderson is equated with GSP and Jones. They are great athletes who are internationally recognized. They are all on the same level”
Hole in MMA?
Anderson's retirement will be felt by the MMA community, but many believe there is room for a new generation of athletes in Brazil and around the world. However, Fogaça believes that it will be difficult for young fighters to repeat the feats of legends like the Brazilian and his contemporaries.
André: “I believe that some Brazilian fighters will stand out. Obviously this doesn't happen to everyone, but I think some do. Anderson is incomparable and has his place. I'm curious to see which Brazilian athletes will stand out. It was not for nothing that Anderson gained the status of the best fighter in history”
Juliano: “Anderson will remain in the memory of everyone who loves the sport. The knockouts, the highlights will always appear. I'm sure Brazil will have great fighters. The sport will always renew itself. We will have new monsters, as they are already appearing. We have a very talented generation. I really like the Charles of the Bronx, Marlon moraes, Cyborg, Amanda, Jessica. I'm sure that Brazilian MMA will always be one of the strongest in the world. I'm also happy to see Russia, Africans, Latins and other smaller countries growing too. I'm excited about this moment, because there is talent all over the world. The fans only benefit from this”
Júlio: “Honestly, I don’t believe we have someone like him, just as we never had someone like Pelé again”
Murilo: “Today, there is no longer American dominance. The powers are the Russians, the Brazilians and the USA, due to the number of fighters. Anderson, Wanderlei, Vitor were legends, but others will certainly emerge. We will have great fighters, because this is in the Brazilian's DNA, but like Anderson, no. I hope it appears, but it’s difficult.”
Fogaça: “Today, MMA has expanded. There are a lot of fighters, but this old school, old-school style, I think is insurmountable. Wanderlei, Minotauro, Shogun. There was a lot of blood in my eyes! Today, it's not that it doesn't exist, but it was the beginning of a sport that caught the attention of the whole world and Brazilians have always represented a lot. I believe we can have new fighters, with exposure and professionalism to match, but the past is something remarkable and unforgettable”
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