Chris Weidman was the man who finally ended Silva’s record-setting run in the UFC, knocking out “The Spider” to claim the middleweight title at UFC 162. It remains one of the most stunning wins in MMA history and when the two men rematched five months later at UFC 168, Weidman again got his hand raised, shattering Silva’s shin by checking a kick. Speaking with Submission Radio recently, Weidman addressed his history with Silva, ahead of the great’s impending retirement, and noted the complicated relationship he had with Anderson.
“One of the good moments, I remember him, we did this huge signing after the first fight going into the second one in New York City,” Weidman said. “The lines were wrapped about the building multiple times, it was just crazy. And I had my son CJ, who is here, and he was with me, and he might have been, well, I guess, one. Yeah, because this is 2013. And Anderson Silva came over to my table, we were talking, I think my dad might have been there, my wife and my son and he. I’m pretty sure he took a picture with him.”
“Some of the negative memories other than fighting, but some of the backstage stuff is one that Longo can’t stand him for. Matt (Serra) and they all witnessed it, but before my first fight with him in the backstage heading out to the weigh-ins, I was getting ready to walk out, and Longo, he was sitting down somewhere. He was supposed to be standing next to me, because you and one cornermen are supposed to be getting ready to walk out for the weigh-ins. And Longo was sitting down somewhere, so I was by myself on the line. And apparently he (Anderson) came behind me and started mocking me and dancing behind me with his full crew. He had like 15 guys, 15 Brazilians, and I was by myself, and I didn’t really realize, but apparently Matt and Ray and them all noticed and they were like, ‘Yo, F this guy, yeah, tomorrow you’re gonna put him in his place’. So, I just thought that was a piece of dirt move and bully maneuver to be doing that behind me. But whatever, I fought him twice.”
Weidman’s wins over Silva irrevocably altered the all-time great’s career. Since losing the belt, Silva’s career has taken a noticeable decline. He has failed multiple drug tests for banned substances and gone 1-5 with 1 No Contest in the seven years since then. And unfortunately, Weidman believes that things will continue to slide for Silva this weekend.
“He’s had an amazing career, and I mean, he hasn’t been looking bad in his last few fights,” Wediman said about Silva’s chances against Uriah Hall. “He had a close fight with Israel Adesanya. If I had to put all my money on who wins this fight, I think Uriah Hall has more interest in winning than Anderson Silva. I think Anderson Silva wants to put on a show and do something awesome and put on a good fight, and I think Uriah Hall has interest in that as well, but I think he would love to get a win over Anderson Silva.”
Oddsmakers agree, installing Hall as a clear favorite in the bout. But that’s why they fight the fights and this Saturday, Anderson Silva will have one more chance to turn back the clock and put on a vintage “Spider” performance.
[h=1]MUST-READ STORIES[/h]Bellator 250. Gegard Mousasi is now a two-time middleweight champion with tactical win over Douglas Lima.
All hail the king. Brazilian MMA fighters speak on the legacy of Anderson Silva.
Hope. Dana White reveals new talks with Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘I have a feeling he might go for 30-0’.
Low. UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje reportedly sells 500K pay-per-view buys in the U.S.
LOL. Uriah Hall blasts UFC champ Israel Adesanya: ‘He’s looking for easy fights’.
Ouch. Johnny Campbell shares grisly details of ear nearly being torn off in recent fight.
[h=1]VIDEO STEW[/h]Bellator 250 highlights.
The A-Side Live Chat.
What the Heck.
Rare submissions in UFC history.
Khabib’s best quotes.
MixedMollyWhoppery on Khabib.
[h=1]LISTEN UP[/h]Heavy Hands. Discussing the last ride of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Fights Gone By. Previewing the “final” fight of Anderson Silva’s career and where he goes next.
[h=1]SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE[/h]Got him.
I like him. Nice guy. But plz stfufe. pic.twitter.com/dBXV5RGFLO
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 29, 2020
Interesting.— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 29, 2020
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 29, 2020
I don’t think I’m owed anything & never said I was. Nor did I demand anything from UFC. I just laid out why I should be ranked higher, and why it’s ridiculous to give Maia a title shot. Btw I don’t pick my opponents & never have. I’ve fought everyone the UFC has ever offered me. https://t.co/dZttcY7k3o
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) October 29, 2020
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) October 29, 2020
Also, while we are here. Everyone I’ve ever fought in the UFC had a winning record, at the time we fought. Unless they were 0-0 in the UFC because of TUF (Honchak, Eubanks), or Roxanne, who was 3-3. Not one has had a losing record before fighting me. Not at bantamweight either. https://t.co/qnzVWPRpVs
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) October 29, 2020
Big time KO last night.— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) October 29, 2020
.@SabahHomasi KO at #Bellator250 pic.twitter.com/iUvGRmLZQP
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) October 29, 2020
Catching corona.— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) October 29, 2020
Bat soup was a bad choice
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) October 29, 2020
Can’t see him.— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) October 29, 2020
Let’s do it.
So @Ruthless_RL pulled out due to an injury. Looking for a replacement I asked for @KChimaev and we can do it at middleweight @ufc @FirstRoundMgmt
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) October 28, 2020
Welcoming.— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) October 28, 2020
I have heard that Israel Adesanya wants to face me next. No problem, If you are ready to fight in March, let's do this. Prepare for a some fireworks guys #LegendaryPolishPower
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) October 29, 2020
Seems like Zabit-Yair is getting remade for a third time.— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) October 29, 2020
View this post on Instagram
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A post shared by Zabit (@zabit_magomedsharipov) on Oct 29, 2020 at 9:39am PDT
Is Team @ufc ready to put up a fight with Team @WBCBoxing on #CelebrityFamilyFeud? Find out tonight at 8|7c! pic.twitter.com/zIqKq7vEpf
— Celeb Family Feud (@FamilyFeudABC) October 29, 2020
— Celeb Family Feud (@FamilyFeudABC) October 29, 2020
[h=1]FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS[/h]Kevin Holland (19-5) vs. Charlie Ontiveros (11-6); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 31.
Janay Harding (5-4) vs. Jessy Miele (9-4); Bellator 251, Nov. 5.
Khalid Taha (14-2) vs. Raoni Barcelos (15-1); UFC Fight Night, Nov. 7.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-0) vs. Juliana Velasquez (10-0); Bellator 254, Dec. 10.
Billy Quarantillo (15-2) vs. Gavin Tucker (12-1); UFC 256, Dec. 12.
Dominick Reyes (12-2) vs. Jiri Prochazka (27-3-1); UFC Fight Night, Feb. 27.
[h=1]FINAL THOUGHTS[/h]Sorry about the lack of TMR yesterday. Atlanta got hit by a storm and I lost power for roughly 12 hours.
Thanks for reading and see y’all on Monday.
[h=1]EXIT POLL[/h]
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.
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