LAS VEGAS — The incredible history of Anderson Silva adds new and dramatic chapters after seemingly every fight. He dances, he punches, he taunts, and he wins. Sometimes all at the same time.
The gifted middleweight champion extended his own UFC record win streak to 13 straight in the octagon with a highlight-reel front kick knockout victory over challenger Vitor Belfort at UFC 126.
After Silva’s last fight, a near-defeat against Chael Sonnen, there was a thought among some that Silva’s reign was nearing an end. Instead, his performance was reminiscent of his dominant knockouts over Forrest Griffin and James Irvin. After nearly half a round of measuring Belfort, Silva snapped his left leg forward, catching Belfort flush under the jaw. Belfort crashed backwards and looked out of it, but referee Mario Yamasaki gave Belfort a chance to recover. Silva didn’t. He jumped all over Belfort, landing a right and left on the jaw that finished yet another contender.