Anderson Silva surprises and ignores UFC rivals by naming the toughest fight of his career

Anderson Silva in victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

MMA legend, UFC Hall of Famer and considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes to ever step foot in the octagon, Anderson Silva He has faced several legends throughout his successful career, but he surprised everyone by recently revealing what was the most difficult fight he has ever had.

Asked by boxing legend Andre Ward about the toughest opponent he has ever faced in MMA, 'Spider' surprised everyone by naming Japanese Hayato Sakurai, against whom he won the Shooto belt, his first title in the sport, in Japan in 2001.

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“I think Hayato Sakurai, because it was my first title fight. I was really scared, because I was in Japan and the guys put me in a room with only one TV with highlights. It was dark and only showing highlights of Hayato Sakurai. Hayato Sakurai beating a lot of people. But it was good because I was watching and realizing a lot of things. At the time, I think Sakurai had beaten five Brazilians and I thought, 'I'm screwed.' It was my first big, big challenge. Of course, I faced it. Dan Henderson, Carlos Newton and different legends, but it was very special because it was my first belt”, he explained Anderson Silva.

After the conquest over Sakurai in Shooto, Anderson Silva He went through events such as PRIDE and Cage Rage before arriving at the UFC in 2006. In the same year, in his second fight in the octagon, 'Spider' became middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) and defended the title ten times over the course of seven years.