UFC: Anderson Silva - Legacy Or Fallacy?
However, it wasnt too long before Silva reneged on his statement that he would not take a rematch with Chris Weidman for the belt. A few short months after his dramatic exit from UFC 162, the announcement was made that Silva would have a rematch with Weidman at UFC 168, taking the co-Main Event slot alongside the Ronda Rousey vs. Meisha Tate fight. It may have been the promise of pay out associated with the rematch, or it could have been that Silva was looking to redeem himself after the events of UFC 162. Either way, his attitude had changed, but his games were still being played. The Spider spent a majority of the post-fight presser at UFC 162 singing the praises of Chris Weidman. He reiterated, ad nauseam, that Weidman was the better fighter and the new champion and that the All American should be respected for the victory and his abilities as a fighter. At a UFC 168 presser, which clips of may be found here, Silva was quick to note that Weidmans knockout strike was lucky and, when asked if he thought the win itself was lucky, Silva merely chuckled and asked for another question.
There are tendencies of hypocrisy with Silva that border on personality disorder. Much like how Silva decides one fight to the next about whether he will bring his A-game or his C-game, his interactions with fans and media fall into the same kind of game. Silva is a counter-striker in his fighting style, so perhaps that mentality ventures over into his self-promotion as well. Like a blank slate, he lies in wait and only acts in response to what is imposed on him. The rematch with Weidman presented an opportunity to answer all the questions about the previous fight. Was Silva really clowning around with an inferior opponent and paid the price? Or, was Weidman the superior fighter that beat Silva by defeating the game plan?
Unfortunately for fans, UFC 168 left those questions entirely unanswered. Just like the first contest, the battle between Silva and Weidman would only reach the second round. However, in a freak accident that happens from time to time in MMA, Weidman checked a leg kick from Silva that resulted in a gruesome break of the tibia and fibula. Weidman earned a TKO victory, securing a successful title defense, an 11-0 overall record, and more importantly, an undefeated record against the greatest fighter of all time. It wasnt a definitive victory, nor was it an assertion of Weidman being the better fighter, but it remains another win for Weidman that established a losing streak for Silva.
Its almost apropos that a fighter with such controversy surrounding his accolades would face an air of uncertainty around his decline. Though, we dont know just yet if this actually is a decline. Silva is nearing 40-years-old and barring the outcome of his recovery from the injury suffered against Weidman, he still had plans to finish his contract with UFC. Yet, with his illustrious Middleweight Title run at an end, the two remaining images of his legacy are being knocked out for showboating and having his leg snapped by his opponents knee.
Perhaps the MMA Gods are trying to send Anderson a message to cut the crap and quit while hes ahead.