When Chris Weidman beat Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship in the main event of UFC 162, the mixed martial arts community turned its attention to the inevitable rematch.
Despite Silva claiming that he does not want to fight for the title again, per Franklin McNeil of ESPN.com, the Brazilian champion was likely just dealing with the emotions of the toughest loss of his career.
Silva was undefeated in the UFC with 16 consecutive wins and 10 successful title defenses, but with nine years since his last loss in MMA, there is no doubt that the shock of getting knocked out clouded his judgment.
For once, UFC president Dana White was the voice of reason in the post-fight press conference, telling Bleacher Report’s Damon Martin about his optimism that Silva and Weidman will face off once again in a middleweight title rematch:
Nobody wants to lose. He doesn’t know how to lose, he doesn’t remember how to lose, it’s been too long since he lost. This one’s going to sink in a couple days after. Like I said, the first thing I hear when we walk in is somebody thinks it’s a fix and all the stupid s—t that people are going to say will start to drive somebody crazy. Everybody knows, I know, everybody knows he’s going to want the rematch.
While many fans didn’t give Weidman a chance to pull out a victory on Saturday night, he proved his mental toughness by working through the typical Silva taunting and asserted his physical dominance like few in the sport ever have against “The Spider.”
In one night, Weidman went from a prospect full of promise to one of the best in the sport.
Silva may be 38 years old, but there is no question that he still possesses enough talent to fight for the middleweight title again. As much as the loss stung at the moment, Silva looked to be fighting well in the Octagon before he was caught by his gifted opponent.
With a newfound respect for Weidman, the refocused Silva would make the next possible chapter one of the most anticipated UFC events in years.
Win or lose the proposed rematch, the fact that the Brazilian star would be chasing the title this time would make this event unique and something fans haven’t seen since he beat Rich Franklin for the title in 2006.
The UFC must do whatever it takes to set up Silva vs. Weidman II. Silva polarizes the fans, and the inevitable rematch will be a huge main event for the company.
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