A. Silva (photo) is one of the greatest of all time Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
At 41 years old and with 42 fights in an MMA career that began almost 20 years ago, Anderson Silva continues to defy time. This Saturday (11), Spider returns to the octagon to face Derek Brunson at UFC 208 and seeks redemption, after two consecutive defeats and without a win since October 2012.
See too
Ultimate champion with the most consecutive title defenses (10), owner of the record for knockdowns in the UFC (17), 13 performance awards, including seven for Knockout of the Night, in addition to being Shooto and Cage Rage champion, Anderson Think about having fun, but don't rule out a title fight, especially if the owner of the belt that was yours for 2.457 days is still Michael Bisping.
Meanwhile, the SUPER FIGHTS prepared a trip back in time and highlighted the five best moments of his career Anderson Silva in the UFC. From the debut, through the most remarkable defenses and the comeback after an injury that would end the careers of most athletes.
1 – Devastating debut and title
A. Silva won the title over R. Franklin (PHOTO: Josh Hedges/Getty Images)
In 2006, Anderson Silva, after stints at Shooto, Pride and Cage Rage, arrived at the UFC. Against the hard Chris Leben, the Brazilian put on a show and knocked out the North American in the first round. The performance gave him the chance to challenge Rich Franklin, middleweight champion and one of the darlings of Ultimate. Another knockout in the opening round and Spider became the third Brazilian owner of a straight UFC belt, after the achievements of Murilo Bustamante and Vitor belfort.
The victory over Franklin shocked those who didn't yet know the Brazilian's style, but the North American was one of those who knew it could happen. After retiring, “Ace” admitted that he was afraid of Anderson before the duels between the two. After a fight against Travis Lutter (which wasn't worth the title, as Lutter didn't make weight) and a defense against Nate Marquardt, the rematch against Franklin was similar, but the knockout only came in the second round.
2 – Historic performance against Griffin
A. Silva put on a show against F. Griffin (PHOTO: Josh Hedges/Getty Images)
After closing the book on his first UFC rivalry, against Rich Franklin, Anderson continued lining up defenses and even ventured into light heavyweight, easily beating James Irvin. But after two subpar performances against Patrick Cótê and Thales leites, distrust came.
Despite having dominated the Canadian and the Brazilian, Spider was heavily criticized for his jokes. And the UFC gave him a talent for his next fight: the former light heavyweight champion Forrest griffin. Faced with a stronger and heavier opponent, Anderson put on a show in what is now recognized as his best performance inside the Octagon.
Dodging punches as if he were in the Matrix (commentator Joe Rogan's definition), Silva played with Griffin and gave him several knockdowns before settling the score with a jab. That's right. Anderson knocked out Forrest griffin with a jab.
3 – Rivalry with Chael Sonnen
At UFC 148, the reckoning with rival C. Sonnen (PHOTO: Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
After the fight against Griffin, Anderson was criticized again for his performance against Demian Maia at UFC 112. A few months later, he had his big test in Ultimate. With a rib problem, the Brazilian was dominated by the wrestler Chael Sonnen for four and a half rounds. At the end of the fight, when everyone already thought that the American would end Spider's reign, came the saving submission: a triangle that almost erased Sonnen.
At UFC 148, after much confusion and provocations from side to side, the decisive victory came. After a first round dominated once again by Sonnen, Anderson found his rhythm and knocked out his arch-rival in the second round, ending yet another rivalry with his hand raised.
4 – Knockout over Belfort and UFC Rio
UFC 126 ended with a knockout over V. Belfort (PHOTO: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
At UFC 126, Anderson Silva finally faced Vitor belfort, who had been looking for this fight for years. The rivalry between the two outside the octagon caught the attention of the casual Brazilian fan and this fight is considered one of the most important for the explosion of Ultimate in Brazil.
Inside the cage, the most iconic knockout of Anderson's career. After a few minutes of study, Spider landed a front kick to the jaw of Vitor belfort, who fell disoriented and ended up knocked out. The champion passed yet another great test in his career with top marks.
Months later, the UFC arrived in Rio de Janeiro for the first time. With a full house at the HSBC Arena, Anderson avenged his last defeat, by disqualification, knocking out the Japanese Yushin Okami and putting on a show for Brazilian fans. It would be his second-to-last victory.
5 – Serious injury and recovery
Open fracture against Weidman (PHOTO: Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
After passing Sonnen at UFC 148 and saving UFC 153 by knocking him out, Stephan bonnar, Anderson was surprised and lost for the first time in the UFC. The executioner was Chris Weidman, who became champion after knocking out Spider in the second round of UFC 162. Months later, an even more tragic outcome for Anderson in the rematch: after being dominated in the first round, he suffered a compound fracture in his shin after having a kick saved by the new champion.
Despite the severity of the injury and Silva's advanced age (at the time he was 38 years old), the Brazilian insisted on trying to return to fighting. After a lot of psychological and physical work, the Brazilian surprised and came back against Nick Diaz, just over a year after the serious injury.
Inside the Octagon, victory by unanimous decision against the North American. After being caught in anti-doping, however, the fight ended without result. After serving his suspension, Anderson returned against Michael Bisping and lost controversially. At UFC 200, he had his last fight, against Daniel Cormier, having only two days to prepare. Even so, he did well against the light heavyweight champion and even hurt him with a kick to the ribs. Even so, another defeat by unanimous decision. The truth is that, even without triumphs since his injury, Anderson can already be considered a winner just for fighting again.
Comments