Anderson Silva -UFC's greatest fighter ever fights his last fight

[leonidas_alexandar]

The former UFC middleweight champion suffered a TKO loss to Uriah Hall (16-9 MMA, 9-7 UFC) in the fourth round of the UFC on ESPN+ 39 main event in Las Vegas. It was his third consecutive defeat and the last time Silva (34-11 MMA, 17-7 UFC) fought in the UFC, at least according to UFC president Dana White.

Sunday, Silva released a statement on his defeat on his Instagram. And though the Brazilian didn’t say he’s retiring, he did reminisce on his storied run in MMA.

Good morning, my people, today is a very different day for a simple reason, and I wanted to thank you all these years with your cheerleading!
I want to thank the God for granting me the gift of the fight! Thank you my people for all understanding, for all your support and for all your amazing moments that we live in this sport together! _
I hope I left it in memory and in the heart of each of you a little of who I am, that you can overcome difficulties, every second of uncertainty and to overcome obstacles in your lives!”
Never think about giving up, as hard as things get at some point; know that ​​I leave all my love, all my respect for you!”!
“Force and time always and God bless you all!” Thank you all, bless you, and bless you .



https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/11/anderson-silva-statement-loss-retirement-ufc-espn-plus-39

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Dana White has clearly stated that he made a mistake by allowing Anderson to fight this long and he is not going to give him another fight under any circumstances.

While the way Anderson's career is coming to an end may be less than ideal - a vast majority of the MMA fans agree that he is the greatest and the most accomplished UFC fighter ever.

If you take a look at some of his records - it is truly astounding:

1) UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION 2006-2013

2) TEN SUCCESSFUL TITLE DEFENCES

3) UNIFITED THE UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT & PRIDE WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS.

4) FIGHT OF THE NIGHT (5 TIMES).

5) KNOCKOUT OF THE NIGHT (7 TIMES).

6) MOST "KNOCKOUT OF THE NIGHT" AWARDS (7 TIMES).

7) SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT (X2)

8) LONGEST TITLE REIGN (2457 DAYS)

9) LONGEST WIN STREAK (16)

10) MOST UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHTS (13)

11) MOST WINS IN UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHTS (11)

12) MOST SUCCESSFUL TITLE DEFENCES IN THE MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION (10)

13) MOST CONSECUTIVE TITLE DEFENCES IN THE MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION (10)

14) SECOND MOST CONSECUTIVE TITLE DEFENCES (10) (at any weight divison)

15) MOST FINISHES IN UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISON (11)

16) MOST "FINISHES" IN UFC TITLE FIGHTS (9)

17) MOST KNOCKDOWNS IN UFC HISTORY (18).

18) MOST KNOCKDOWNS IN UFC TITLE FIGHTS (10)

19) MOST KNOCKOUTS IN UFC TITLE FIGHTS (7).



What a legend, what longevity, what a record.

I cannot think of any other UFC fighter whose name is invoked by his peers as their inspiration.

Goodbye legend. If there were to be a Mount Rushmore of UFC fighters - Anderson Silva will be the first one on it.

 

[Tubs]

Great tribute thread, really well written.

At his prime, one of the most complete fighters in the UFC, along with GSP and Jones (his boxing has gotten pretty good lately). World-class striking, a legit BJJ black belt, heart, toughness, and a true martial artist through and through. Always a gentleman too, was touching to see him comforting Uriah after the fight.

As a side note, if Dana could make more money from Anderson, he would. He tries to act principled but robs the fighters, don't fall for the façade.

 

[shaz619]

Never was as big an MMA fan as I am as a Boxing fan but Silva definetly peaked my interest and was my favourite fighter, among all those who I have seen in this sport he is the greatest ever in my view and I credit him for helping elevate the sports popularity towards the mainstream. Speaking of Dana's hypocritical words, he would do it all over again if he could so don't know what he is on about by not letting him fight on righr after he has bled Silva dry, part of it I understand but he doesn't need to sugar coat it now, clearly well past his prime Silva remained a massive name/legend worldwide and Dana was being like any other promoter, using him especially during the UFC global expansion phase, he has been used in the same way the WWE has used the Undertaker. Personally, I would have liked Silva to retire on top much earlier / think he just wasn't the same mentally post freak leg injury but his resume is outstanding nevertheless

 

[Bhaijaan]

He is right up there along with Connon McGregor and Vijender Singh

 

[Manunited18]

He is right up there along with Connon McGregor and Vijender Singh

The same Connor who got schooled, the second of your suggestions is more relivent than you and I on this forum lol

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Never was as big an MMA fan as I am as a Boxing fan but Silva definetly peaked my interest and was my favourite fighter, among all those who I have seen in this sport he is the greatest ever in my view and I credit him for helping elevate the sports popularity towards the mainstream. Speaking of Dana's hypocritical words, he would do it all over again if he could so don't know what he is on about by not letting him fight on righr after he has bled Silva dry, part of it I understand but he doesn't need to sugar coat it now, clearly well past his prime Silva remained a massive name/legend worldwide and Dana was being like any other promoter, using him especially during the UFC global expansion phase, he has been used in the same way the WWE has used the Undertaker. Personally, I would have liked Silva to retire on top much earlier / think he just wasn't the same mentally post freak leg injury but his resume is outstanding nevertheless

Agree with you on what Silva brought to the UFC, while I was always interested in MMA, it was Anderson who really took it from being grappling heavy and a bit boring, to bringing strikers back into the limelight, along with Liddell and Rampage. For me, there was a golden age when we had Machida, Rashad and Silva all at the top of their game. Maybe not all of them were worldies, but they were great to watch.

Watching this fight was kinda sad. Silva is 45, and while he still looked in shape, he no longer has the reflexes to avoid punches, so he was hands up in front of his face all the time, whereas at his peak he would keep his hands low. Also he no longer looks capable of those explosive flying knees, which isn't that surprising really considering he's probably 12 years past his prime.

 

[Tubs]

Agree with you on what Silva brought to the UFC, while I was always interested in MMA, it was Anderson who really took it from being grappling heavy and a bit boring, to bringing strikers back into the limelight, along with Liddell and Rampage. For me, there was a golden age when we had Machida, Rashad and Silva all at the top of their game. Maybe not all of them were worldies, but they were great to watch.

Watching this fight was kinda sad. Silva is 45, and while he still looked in shape, he no longer has the reflexes to avoid punches, so he was hands up in front of his face all the time, whereas at his peak he would keep his hands low. Also he no longer looks capable of those explosive flying knees, which isn't that surprising really considering he's probably 12 years past his prime.

Fully agree here, will just add that his chin and punch resistance is pretty much gone, too. He didn't definitively say he's done, so he may fight in some Brazilian institution or Bellator...

Reminds me of this cool quote from Anderson- someone translated it from Portuguese so that's why it may look a bit strange:

An old lion, surrounded by hungry hyenas, crazy to eat him, and he stills fights until death without ever giving up or feeling sorry for himself. And it won’t be different with me. Strength and honour.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

I am so pleased at how the larger UFC fighter community has reacted to Anderson Silva's on what was most probably his last fight.

Effusive praise from fellow great fighters like Khabib and Jon Jones - greats recognize greats.


https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/10...al-moment-possible-retirement-at-ufc-vegas-12


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8IZQgivLes&ab_channel=RehmanSports

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Fully agree here, will just add that his chin and punch resistance is pretty much gone, too. He didn't definitively say he's done, so he may fight in some Brazilian institution or Bellator...

Reminds me of this cool quote from Anderson- someone translated it from Portuguese so that's why it may look a bit strange:

An old lion, surrounded by hungry hyenas, crazy to eat him, and he stills fights until death without ever giving up or feeling sorry for himself. And it won’t be different with me. Strength and honour.

He lives by that code too. He'll be there at the end of a fight hugging and thanking opponents after they win - opponents who he would probably have dismantled within a couple of rounds at the height of his powers. I like Hall, but I don't see him winning that fight in a million years if he's facing a 30yr old Silva.