We’ve always been the first to challenge the charge that MMA is anything like pro-wrestling for a couple of a reasons 1) what goes down in the ring or cage is real and 2) usually that comparison comes from someone who knows less about MMA than we do about Justin Bieber. We’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing.
Now, it pains us to say it, but if someone was watching MMA for the first time during Anderson Silva’s recent, showboating riddled, UD victory over Demian Maia, they might have been able to say for a second or two ‘see it’s not that different’ (they would have been clearly ignoring Maia’s bruised and battered face of course). Was Silva just being cocky? Was he really pissed at Maia for supposedly being “disrespectful” prior to the bout? Is he becoming a bad guy now like when Hulk Hogan did the whole wearing black thing?
Well in a recent appearance on the Brazilian TV show, Domingão do Faustão, Silva explained that he fought the way he did because he didn’t want to hit the ground with Maia (as he’s not even “close to his BJJ level”), while also stating (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quote):
“I have nothing against any of my opponents,” Silva said. “I have nothing against Demian. I respect his work a lot.”
Huh. When Maia showed up he seemed a little uncomfortable but Silva greeted him with a big smile. Still confused? Check out the appearance here (if for nothing else than to see the female hosts asking questions).