Anderson Silva has had enough of the critics following his controversial UFC 208 win over Derek Brunson. After the longtime former champion ‘Spider’ skated by via unanimous decision to score his first official win since October 2012, Brunson has gone as far as officially appealing the loss after saying he had ‘outclassed the greatest of
Anderson Silva has had enough of the critics following his controversial UFC 208 win over Derek Brunson.
After the longtime former champion ‘Spider’ skated by via unanimous decision to score his first official win since October 2012, Brunson has gone as far as officially appealing the loss after saying he had ‘outclassed the greatest of all time but got robbed.’ Many MMA fans have echoed the sentiment, and the majority of media members scoring the fight cageside gave it to Brunson.
But the MMA legend wants his doubters to put his body of work in perspective, posting a lengthy response on Facebook where he declared he’s the ‘best in the world’:
“Nowadays it’s easy to say that the fight is my root, there is a lot of people who talk about fighting and do not know what it says. So when you go up in the octagon, first look who I am, respect who got where I came from. I arrived very well, without disrespecting anyone, with much struggle and pride in the chest.
So, you who talk too much, find out first who I am and what I did in this sport.
Many people find me arrogant and overbearing? I can be it and more, not because I am considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. No, no, it’s my feats, that’s what I really did for this sport. I broke barriers all over the world where I fought, Pride, Shooto, Mecca and other events that these speakers have never heard of and do not know what they are like. I am from a different era, when had no weight limit or time limit. I really fought for passion, not for money or fame. Speakers and frustrated fighters, who read this text, I can be arrogant, arrogant and much more than that, I am Anderson Silva, who made and makes a difference in sports.
I’m not afraid and I do not flee fighting, I defended the belt for 10 years, none of the last champions managed to defend for more than 3 fights.
So thank you to all who like me and those who do not like me, they will have to accept that Anderson da Silva, The spider, is a fact and can not change. I’m the best in the world, yes! To the joy of many and the sorrow of others.
I can only say that we will soon see ourselves in the octagons of life.”
While the stats would certainly suggest Silva would have a tough time winning on the judges’ cards at UFC 208 after Brunson landed several more strikes and got the only takedowns of the bout, it’s also hard to deny Silva’s body of work that includes UFC records for most consecutive wins and title defenses.
While that obviously shouldn’t come into play in terms of judging one sole fight, Brunson suggested that the judges – in addition to the New York City crowd – were awestruck by “The Spider,” and that’s what lead to them giving him the nod.
Whether or not that’s true, Silva wants his and all fight fans to remember what he’s accomplished, and that he can still hang with top middleweights today.
Legendary former champion Anderson Silva made a (somewhat) triumphant return to the octagon against Derek Brunson in the co-main event of last night’s (February 11, 2017) UFC 208 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, although it wasn’t without a fair share of controversy. ‘The Spider’ was able to take home a unanimous decision on
Legendary former champion Anderson Silva made a (somewhat) triumphant return to the octagon against Derek Brunson in the co-main event of last night’s (February 11, 2017) UFC 208 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, although it wasn’t without a fair share of controversy.
‘The Spider’ was able to take home a unanimous decision on all three judges’ scorecards, including a highly questionable 30-27 sweep on one. Many fans and media members alike felt that Brunson was able to outwork Silva by landing crisp uppercuts in the clinch and scoring the only two takedowns of the bout despite missing on nine other attempts.
For his efforts, Silva was able to land some stinging counters of his own, and he had a few brief moments where his usual fun-loving self came out, but overall it seemed his output was again low and somewhat tentative for the once seemingly indestructible champion who knocked out each and every opponent he met. He did control the octagon (something that’s not supposed to count under the new scoring system) and easily defended most of Brunson’s takedowns, but the stats alone favored Brunson in every major category.
What was your view? Did Silva do enough to get the win last night?
Longtime former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was looking for a big comeback win when he met Derek Brunson in the co-main event of tonight’s (February 11, 2017) UFC 208 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. And he got just that in a close call on the judges’ scorecards. Despite Brunson out-landing Silva by
Longtime former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was looking for a big comeback win when he met Derek Brunson in the co-main event of tonight’s (February 11, 2017) UFC 208 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
And he got just that in a close call on the judges’ scorecards.
Despite Brunson out-landing Silva by a sizable margin of 127 to 57 total strikes, ‘The Spider’s’ takedown defense was on point as he stuffed 9 of Brunson’s 11 attempts, landing crisp jabs and counter throughout to earn enough for a unanimous decision nod. It certainly won’t come without a fair share of controversy, but for now, Silva is back.
Watch the full fight video highlights of his first win since October 2012 here:
This Saturday night (February 11, 2017), the UFC is back on pay-per-view (PPV) with UFC 208 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The event, while not wholly gathering a ton of mainstream attention in MMA, will still go down in history due to the fact that the fist-ever UFC women’s 145-pound champion will
This Saturday night (February 11, 2017), the UFC is back on pay-per-view (PPV) with UFC 208 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The event, while not wholly gathering a ton of mainstream attention in MMA, will still go down in history due to the fact that the fist-ever UFC women’s 145-pound champion will be crowned when former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm meets undefeated kickboxing sensation Germaine de Randamie in the main event.
The co-main event presents a potentially hard-hitting slugfest as well when longtime former middleweight champion Anderson Silva returns against bulldozing force Derek Brunson. UFC 208 has certainly had its fair share of criticism for the handling of the women’s featherweight title picture, but nevertheless, the potential for some great MMA action still awaits.
Find out whom we picked to win the main bouts at UFC 208 below.
Holly Holm vs. Germaine de Randamie:
Mike Drahota:
I’ve seen many picking Holm based on her superior level of UFC competition and more active schedule compared to de Randamie’s, and I understand where those picks are coming from. However, I just don’t think we’ve ever really seen Holm do anything but play it safe outside of her defining win over Ronda Rousey, and it was clear she had Rousey hurt early on in that bout. There’s no doubting her world-class boxing skills, and de Randamie will certainly provide more opportunities for her to counter-strike than her last opponent, fellow counter-striker Valentina Shevchenko, did, but I’m not convinced Holm has the power or will to let it all hang out and truly put on a show for fans. De Randamie is truly a dark horse here; and one with arguably an equally decorated background in Muay Thai compared to that of Holm in boxing. I think de Randamie makes this fight ugly in the clinch and puts Holm in some bad spots. De Randamie by fourth-round TKO.
Rory Kernaghan:
Although de Randamie has some very nice striking, I don’t see Holm dropping her third fight in a row. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ is about as seasoned a striker as you’ll get in the MMA world. Although I can’t imagine a devastating head kick KO like we saw against Ronda Rousey, I do think Holm will control the action. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ has been fighting higher caliber competition, and has the nice, rangy counter striking to frustrate “The Iron Lady.” Holm by decision.
Mike Henken:
I expect this fight to play out on the feet, although it is a difficult one to predict for me. Holm, the former UFC bantamweight champion, is a decorated former boxer and kick boxer, while de Randamie’s strength lies in her Muay Thai. Neither fighter relies much on her grappling, although I’d expect Holm to be more well rounded in that area given the fact that she trains with highly-touted head coach Greg Jackson. “The Preacher’s Daughter” has lost two straight since winning the 135-pound title in Nov. 2015, but de Randamie has faced few fighters of Holm’s caliber in mixed martial arts. I expect the former champion to be the more experienced fighter and to be more acclimated to the pressure of headlining an event and fighting for a title. Of course anything can happen in a bout between two strikers, but I’m going to go with “The Preacher’s Daughter”. Holm by unanimous decision.
Anderson Silva vs. Derek Brunson:
Mike Drahota:
This is truly a hard fight to predict for me, because while it’s nearly impossible not to root for the legendary Silva, he’s clearly seen better days in his illustrious career (it would impossible not to be in that spot at 41 years). However, I also think his demise has been greatly exaggerated, as he’s lost to only champions during his streak of four losses and one no contest, and he also was close to knocking out the middleweight and light heavyweight champions in under six months. Not bad for an old man.
But he’s tasked with a bulldozing one-man wrecking crew in Brunson, a power slugger who’s said he’s going to fight much more patiently after losing an all-out brawl to Robert Whittaker last November. His style is both tailor-made for Silva’s lethal counterstriking and his kryptonite, as we can’t be sure where the aging fighter’s chin is truly at. That makes this an unpredictable and potentially scintillating bout to be certain; one where I can’t help but feel ‘The Spider’ has one last run in him. I think he can still catch Brunson rushing in. Silva by second-round TKO.
Rory Kernaghan:
Predicting Anderson Silva’s fights used to be quite simple. Back when ‘The Spider’ was king of the middleweight division, he was almost like the neighborhood bully who grew quicker than the rest of the kids. Since Weidman, it’s been anyone’s bet, and Brunson has some very threatening tools. Capable of using his wrestling as well as KO power in the hands, Brunson could very well seal Silva’s retirement. Obviously the stand-up is where Silva wants to keep this, but he very nearly came unstuck against Bisping, who rocked and dropped the ex-champ numerous times. Gut feeling pick from me, Brunson with a heart-wrenching knockout in round one.
Mike Henken:
Although I’ll admit that I’m a lifelong Silva fan, I’m not oblivious as to where he’s at during this stage of his career. The 41-year-old former champion hasn’t won a fight since 2012, and he’s lost four of his last five bouts. His chin has clearly deteriorated over time, which may be an issue against the heavy hitting Brunson. Silva has also had issues stopping takedowns, which Brunson could use to advantage. At the end of the day, however, I’m going to pick “The Spider” The Brazilian will certainly need to avoid the takedown as well as the big shots, but Brunson has tended to get wild in the past. Silva has always had success as a counterpuncher, using his speed and incredible timing to catch fighters charging in, which is what I expect to see here. Silva by second-round TKO.
Legendary former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva will return to action in the co-main event of this weekend’s (Sat., Feb. 11, 2017) UFC 208 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he’s set to take on No. 8-ranked Derek Brunson. Silva’s historic reign as 185-pound champion lasted nearly seven years
Legendary former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva will return to action in the co-main event of this weekend’s (Sat., Feb. 11, 2017) UFC 208 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he’s set to take on No. 8-ranked Derek Brunson.
Silva’s historic reign as 185-pound champion lasted nearly seven years from 2006-2013 and consisted of a record setting 10 consecutive title defenses. He also started his Octagon career with an incredible run of 16 straight victories. His accomplishments will forever speak for themselves, but “The Spider” has recently fallen on rough times, as he hasn’t officially won a bout since 2012. He’s also lost four of his last five fights.
With the 41-year-old looking to get back to his winning ways, there is no better time to reflect on his iconic career and on the wins that led many to label him as the best fighter of all-time.
Let’s take a look at Silva’s five best UFC knockouts:
Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin – UFC 64
In just his second UFC fight, Silva was given a shot at the middleweight title, taking on Rich “Ace” Franklin at UFC 64 on Oct. 24, 2006.
Franklin is known as a durable and skilled veteran, but he proved to be no match for Silva on that fall night in Las Vegas, Nevada. “The Spider’s” brutal Muay Thai was on full display in this fight, as he stunned “Ace” with a vicious knee just minutes into the opening round. He then followed that with a left head kick and another knee before Franklin fell to the mat and left the referee with no choice but to call off the fight.
Not only does this finish rank as one of Silva’s best inside the Octagon, but it was also this finish that marked the beginning of the best title run in promotional history.
UFC 208 may not be the most anticipated pay-per-view (PPV) card in recent memory, but it certainly serves as a pivotal one for some of the fighters competing on it. The event, which takes place this Saturday night (Feb. 11, 2017) from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, is set to be headlined by
UFC 208 may not be the most anticipated pay-per-view (PPV) card in recent memory, but it certainly serves as a pivotal one for some of the fighters competing on it.
The event, which takes place this Saturday night (Feb. 11, 2017) from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, is set to be headlined by an inaugural women’s featherweight title match between former bantamweight champion Holly Holm and decorated Muay Thai fighter Germaine de Randamie. The co-main event will play host to a middleweight bout between No. 7-ranked former longtime divisional kingpin Anderson Silva and No. 8-ranked Derek Brunson. That isn’t all, however, as there are some other important fights scattered across the card as well.
With that being said, let’s take a look at five fighters in desperate need of a win at UFC 208:
Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski for USA TODAY Sports
Holly Holm
Former multi-time boxing world champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm has made quite a name for herself in the sport of mixed martial arts, most notably for being the woman to dethrone former longtime 135-pound queen Ronda Rousey with a brutal stoppage victory at Nov. 2015’s UFC 193 from Australia.
Since that shocking win, however, Holm has dropped back-to-back bouts, surrendering the title via fifth-round submission to Miesha Tate at March 2016’s UFC 196 and dropping a decision to No. 1-ranked bantamweight Valentina Shevchenko last July.
While de Randamie is an accomplished Muay Thai fighter, she hasn’t quite gained that same recognition within the sport of mixed martial arts yet, although her skills speak for themselves. Holm is undoubtedly facing a tough test, and another loss could prove detrimental to her career.
Not only would it mark her third straight inside the Octagon, but it may lead many to label her a one-hit wonder.
