After being hyped as the biggest UFC fight of the year, fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas eagerly awaited for Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva to step on the scales Friday afternoon.
What ended up transpiring wasn’t what most people had bargained for though, as Silva and Weidman pushed their faces close together to the point where their lips made contact.
As various pictures and videos from the UFC 162 weigh-in make their rounds on the internet, many fans are saying that “The Spider” kissed Weidman during the customary stare down after both competitors make weight.
“The All-American” made light of the situation immediately afterwards when talking to color commentator Joe Rogan, stating that Silva has “nice lips” (via MMA Mania).
Weidman continues to be light-hearted about the situation on Twitter:
Btw doesn’t count as a kiss unless u pucker up…
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 6, 2013
The undefeated prospect faces inarguably the biggest test of his career in “The Spider,” a man who boasts a 17-fight undefeated streak (with 14 finishes).
While the Brazilian lost to perennial middleweight contender via controversial disqualification in January 2006, Silva hasn’t convincingly been beaten since falling victim to a Ryo Chonan flying heel hook in December 2004.
Despite his dazzling resume, many fans, analysts and fighters alike are at the very least giving Weidman a chance—given his high-level grappling pedigree.
The Long Island native was a two-time Division I All-American wrestler at Hofstra University and earned his brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu about a month ago.
In nine professional victories, Weidman boasts six via stoppage—three submissions and three knockouts—finishing all of his opponents when he had a full fight camp.
Will Weidman be able to live up to the hype tomorrow night? Or will Silva simply further cement his legacy as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time?
John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com and contributes MMA videos to The Young Turks Sports Show.
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