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Dana White: Brazilian Fans Turned on Anderson Silva After Loss to Chris Weidman

Reaction Stateside to Anderson Silva’s shocking knockout loss to Chris Weidman earlier this year ranged from “I told you so” to claims that the fight was fixed.
Still, few opinions on “The Spider” changed radically afterwards, and he remains the greate…

Reaction Stateside to Anderson Silva‘s shocking knockout loss to Chris Weidman earlier this year ranged from “I told you so” to claims that the fight was fixed.

Still, few opinions on “The Spider” changed radically afterwards, and he remains the greatest mixed martial artist of all time to the vast majority of MMA fans in America.

Brazilians, though, are apparently nowhere near as accommodating.

Speaking to the media in Brazil on the final stop of the media tour promoting the Silva-Weidman rematch, UFC president Dana White opened up on the hardships the now-former champ has faced in recent months.

I was kind of feeling for him coming into Brazil, he was getting a lot of criticism coming here. This is his country. He’s been f**king fighting for this country forever. He goes out and he loses one fight, the way that it went down, and like everybody turns on you. In one fight? After all the things he’s done and all the things he’s accomplished? I’m sure it’s tough to deal with, but he’s handled it like a champ.

It’s important to remember that MMA is still a relatively new phenomenon in Brazil, so many fans in the southern hemisphere have not seen Silva effortlessly dominate the middleweight division for the better part of a decade.

Seeing Silva drop his hands and taunt Weidman before eating a hellacious left hand may have seemed like a just end to a baselessly arrogant fighter.

The reality, of course, is different.

While fans in America have seen Anderson bob, weave and counterpunch his way to victory over guys like Forrest Griffin, James Irvin and Yushin Okami, not nearly as many Brazilian fans have witnessed such feats.

To be fair, far too many fans the world over seem to have forgotten that Anderson’s dropping his hands serves a purpose (which was discussed in depth by our own Jack Slack right here). Even so, Brazilian fans whose first taste of Silva was at UFC 162 may have soured on him.

Regardless, Silva is set to face off with Weidman once again at UFC 168 in December. He has a chance to prove all his naysayers and detractors wrong; he just needs to take it.

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Is Josh Barnett a Legitimate Heavyweight Threat?

At UFC 164, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett out-struck and pummeled another former champion in Frank Mir. The latter fighter was once one of the most feared heavyweights in his division. However, with his third consecutive loss, UFC presid…

On the other hand, Barnett, after 11 years away, returned to the UFC on August 31, 2013. He scored a technical knockout win over a formidable Mir, and reestablished himself as one of the best heavyweights in the world.

By defeating Mir, Barnett earned a No. 6 ranking on the UFC’s Top-10 heavyweight list. Given the opponents who occupy the No. 1 through No. 5 slots, the former world champion appears to have a legitimate shot at capturing another UFC world title before retiring.

Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne

Barnett (33-6) and Browne (15-1-1) are slated to fight on December 28, 2013, at UFC 168. Although Browne is the No. 5 contender, a matchup against a seasoned opponent in Barnett will most likely lead to his undoing.

Aside from the tremendous in-Octagon experience advantage Barnett possesses over Browne, the former world champion is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace. 20 of Barnett’s 33 wins have come by way of submission. His grappling will most likely be on display and employed to contend with Browne’s height (6’7’’) and reach advantage (80”) at UFC 168.

Josh Barnett vs. Fabricio Werdum

Werdum is the No. 3 heavyweight contender, according to the UFC. In this matchup, experience would again play a factor in determining the outcome of this fight. However, it would also be of great interest to witness the way in which these two world-class grapplers engage one another in the Octagon.

Both are highly skilled on the ground and possess the ability to submit anyone in the heavyweight division. Barnett, however, has illustrated boxing talents that appear slightly more advanced than those of Werdum.

A Barnett/Werdum matchup would redefine the heavyweight division and more than likely grant the victor the opportunity to face the champion.

Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier

A Barnett/Cormier matchup would have been a must-see event. The two fought to a decision at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier in 2012. The former came up short in securing the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix title. Therefore, a second matchup between would have seemed logical in determining the division’s No. 1 contender.

However, following his bout against Roy Nelson at UFC 166, Cormier plans on moving to the light heavyweight division. The move appears to benefit Barnett, as Cormier’s current No. 2 slot will need to be filled. In that case, besting one of the aforementioned fighters should prep Barnett for a title shot.

Josh Barnett’s Heavyweight Title Hopes

At 35 years old, realistically, Barnett has just one opportunity to attempt a run at the title. In an interview with Fight Magazine, Barnett stated:

Logically, if I’m going out there and crushing everybody, then I’m going to get a title shot; and I really don’t see it as something that’s avoidable for my opponents or for the company at some point….Not to mention, I’ve already got a pretty gold belt. It’s also a matter of me showing like, ‘Hey, I’m still the champ. I’m gonna take that belt back and put it in its right hands.’

Barnett has already beaten a variety of former world champions in the form of Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Randy Couture and Semmy Schilt. The Warmaster’s focus, experience and world-class grappling make the former UFC champion more than a legitimate threat to the heavyweight title.

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Anderson Silva: I Was at ’85 Percent’ When I Fought Chris Weidman at UFC 162

Former long-time UFC middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva gets his chance to recapture the championship gold at UFC 168, where he rematches current champ Chris Weidman.
“The Spider” lost the title to Weidman at UFC 162, suffering a devastating…

Former long-time UFC middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva gets his chance to recapture the championship gold at UFC 168, where he rematches current champ Chris Weidman.

“The Spider” lost the title to Weidman at UFC 162, suffering a devastating knockout in the second round of their July matchup, the first time the legendary Brazilian had ever been stopped with strikes in his 16-year-plus career.

During an appearance in Brazil during the UFC 168 media tour, Silva revealed that he entered the title tilt with injured ribs, though he made it a point to say he wasn’t making an excuse for the loss (via MMA Fighting).

“It was good that you mentioned this because I was really hurt,” Silva told the media. “Nobody mentioned this yet, but that’s not an excuse for my performance. It was a below where I was injured for my first fight with Chael Sonnen. That’s it. I was at 85 percent of my physical condition … I can’t talk about this because anything I say can be used against me. It’s in the past. I’m okay now.”

MMA Fighting also points out that media reports circulated prior to the bout that Silva had suffered a rib injury, but the then-champion’s camp denied that any such injury occurred (via MMA Mania).

With the stunning highlight real finish this summer, Weidman improved his undefeated record to 10-0, with seven finishes (three submissions, four knockouts).

The loss snapped Silva’s incredible 17-fight win streak, including a UFC record of 10 successful title defenses at 185-pounds.

Weidman vs. Silva II headlines the UFC’s annual year end pay-per-view, UFC 168, on December 28. Like their first bout, the middleweight showdown takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Will Silva prove the first win was a fluke or will “The All-American” showcase that he truly is the best there is to offer at 185 pounds?

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com.

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Mario Sperry: ‘Jacare’ Is a Tougher Matchup for Weidman Than Anderson Silva Is

Pride veteran Mario Sperry, a fifth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, believes a Brazilian fighter could be the one to unseat UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
However, he isn’t referring to longtime 185-pound kingpin Anderson Silv…

Pride veteran Mario Sperry, a fifth-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, believes a Brazilian fighter could be the one to unseat UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.

However, he isn’t referring to longtime 185-pound kingpin Anderson Silva.

Speaking one-on-one with Sherdog, the Brazilian Top Team founder stated that fellow grappling ace Ronaldo Souza is actually a worse matchup for “The All-American” than Silva is.

What does Weidman do best? Takedowns. What Jacare do best? Jiu-jitsu. So that’s why I think Jacare would be more complicated. Against Jacare, Weidman would be insecure, unsure if the fight would unfold standing or on the ground. Against Anderson, he can expect to fight standing. And this unpredictability makes, for me, Jacare more dangerous for Weidman. Also, I´m really impressed the way Jacare is developing his MMA game. I see him training here every day. His ground game is amazing. He has dangerous weapons standing up, his cardio is absolutely impressive and his heart is scary. I see him with all the tools to be a champion.

While Sperry’s opinion might not necessarily be a popular one among fight fans, it is impossible to deny that the former Strikeforce middleweight titleholder is on a roll.

Recognized as one of the best submission specialists of this era, the 33-year-old has won five fights in a row since losing the Strikeforce strap, with all of those victories coming via a knockout or submission.

While Souza looked impressive in his UFC debut in May, choking out Chris Camozzi with an arm triangle choke, he notched the biggest win of his career when he scored a TKO over former title challenger Yushin Okami at UFC Fight Night 28 earlier this month.

With his stunning upset KO over Silva at UFC 162, Weidman improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 10-0.

Prior to the loss, the legendary Brazilian striker, who is also a BJJ black belt, had won 17 fights in a row—including a UFC record of 10 successful middleweight title defenses.

According to the UFC’s official middleweight rankings, Silva is ranked No. 1 and Souza is ranked No. 3.

Also worth noting is that while Sperry did not officially pick Weidman in his rematch with Silva at UFC 168, set for December 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, he said the champ “will come even more prepared” the second time around.

Will Souza, who has trained with Silva at Black House MMA, be the one to take out the American titleholder some time in 2014?

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com.

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There’s No Way Anderson Silva Loses This Rematch; But What if He Does?

Nearly three months have passed since former UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva tasted his first defeat in the Octagon at UFC 162, a shocking loss that took the MMA community months to digest.
The culprit who devastated drones of Silva fans, Chris W…

Nearly three months have passed since former UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva tasted his first defeat in the Octagon at UFC 162, a shocking loss that took the MMA community months to digest.

The culprit who devastated drones of Silva fans, Chris Weidman—a veteran of just 10 pro fights—now sits at the forefront of a behemoth wave of hype that the rematch will surely produce.

Silva has vowed to return even stronger and vindicate his lone promotional loss and his only career KO setback at the UFC 168 rematch in December.

But if Weidman, a former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, who’s aptly nicknamed “The All-American,” can hand the former pound-for-pound linchpin another upset loss, will “The Spider’s” immaculate legacy remain intact?

If Silva drops his second straight contest, particularly if he gets finished for a second straight time, will the 38-year-old Brazilian ever vie for the middleweight strap again?

The odds have shifted slightly in Weidman‘s favor from their first meeting, although Silva will still represent the favorite. Aggregate betting website Bovada.com has tabbed The Spider a 1.35-to-1 favorite (-135) to top Weidman (+105).

Some pundits contend that Silva will respond from his first UFC loss in 17 bouts and return refreshed and motivated, properly prepared to exact his revenge on The All-American.

Those same experts have also claimed that a complete version of Silva didn’t show up at UFC 162, and that Weidman scored a fluke KO chiefly on account of The Spider’s exaggerated taunts.

Advocates of Weidman have conjured up a similar argument, many claiming that The All-American had an off night at UFC 162, despite the fact that he rendered Silva temporarily unconscious by night’s end.

Regardless of how the rematch unfolds, fans should expect to see a more serious and mentally healthy Silva gracing the Octagon.

In the same vein, those who support The All-American will anticipate an even more confident and well-oiled Weidman come Dec. 28.

During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Silva offered this prediction to Ariel Helwani regarding his rematch with Weidman: “I [will] give back the knockout. I’m working hard right now. Chris is the new champion and is a great fighter, but I’m training hard. The new Anderson is coming.”

The Spider also elaborated on how comfortable he feels with his life’s work, essentially telling Helwani that wins and losses don’t determine everything at this point in his career.

Come on bro, definitely no. I’m working hard for a long time. My big goal is to train the kids and new athletes coming. I’m [a] normal guy. Sometimes I have good day, [and] sometimes I don’t have good day. People will have the chance to see the real Anderson. It’s normal.

Silva appears to have lost some of the bravado and swagger that he flashed before his setback to Weidman, even though The Spider still has all the attributes that made him the sport’s most feared fighter.

Maybe he’s just expressing relief that most of the unrealistic expectations for his career have subsided. Or perhaps Silva is just a bona fide sportsman who doesn’t mind stepping aside for the changing of the guard.

Either way, it appears that Silva will sleep just as well with a second straight loss to Weidman as he would with a triumphant win in the rematch.

But if The Spider—who’s 11-1 in UFC title fights—appears prepared to rest on his laurels, regardless of what happens at UFC 168, then his fans can’t realistically expect many more title fights.

One thing seems certain about the rematch, though, and that’s the fact that Silva will have genuine motivation and plenty of reasons to feel human for the first time in years. If anything, fans should expect better versions of both fighters and a more memorable scrap than Silva-Weidman I.

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Shakedown of the Day: Dana White is Coming For His $175K, Ken Shamrock.

(For an abridged version of White’s rant, go here. Video via FightHubTV.)

The war of words/lawsuits between Ken Shamrock and the UFC is as old as the hills that Ken Shamrock’s career went over some five (hundred) years ago, yet it continuously finds ways to entertain us in these troubled times. Ever since ShamWow was defeated by the Zuffa attorneys via first round KO back in 2008, he has not-so-silently been leading the anti-UFC crusade and occasionally ripping off smaller promotions to fund said anti-UFC crusade. His methods, which have included attempting to pay off Zuffa’s court fees with a “superfight” and joining forces with his fellow disgraced UFC fighters for a giggle session on Twitter, have produced few results to say the least.

Recently, however, UFC President Dana White decided to finally address Shamrock during the UFC 168 world tour. The moment was eerily reminiscent of Tony Montana’s final interaction with Frank Lopez.

Ken Shamrock owes ME $175,000.

(*stares directly at camera* *moves in for EXTREME CLOSE UP*)

And I’m coming for it, Ken. I’m coming for the fucking money, you piece of shit. You should have stayed wherever you were, hidden under the fucking porch somewhere.

We reached out to Shamrock for a response this morning, but unfortunately, the traffic light turned green before he could finish wiping our windows with last week’s newspaper. Keep an eye on Shamrock’s twitter account, however, as his local library will be opening its doors any minute now.

–J. Jones

(For an abridged version of White’s rant, go here. Video via FightHubTV.)

Ken Shamrock owes ME $175,000.

(*stares directly at camera* *moves in for EXTREME CLOSE UP*)

And I’m coming for it, Ken. I’m coming for the fucking money, you piece of shit. You should have stayed wherever you were, hidden under the fucking porch somewhere.

–J. Jones