The curtain may have closed on the career of Anderson Silva, the man most universally acknowledged as the greatest fighter in MMA’s history, after he suffered a horrific broken leg at UFC 168 last night.
The injury took place during the main event championship fight, as Chris Weidman, the current UFC middleweight champ, checked (blocked) a second round Silva leg kick with his knee, breaking and bending Silva’s left shin into a grotesque angle.
Silva reeled away from the kick immediately crumpling to the canvas, grasping at his leg.
Weidman, who dominated the first round of the fight, celebrated the win mutely while medics rushed to a screaming Silva’s side.
During post-fight interviews Weidman said he had been preparing for Silva’s leg kicks since their last fight where he upset the Brazilian, but never imagined he would do such damage.
“It’s probably the most important thing we focused on, stopping his leg kicks.”
“I’ve done it a couple of times in sparring [blocking with the knee]. It stops people from kicking. Breaking someone’s leg, I’ve never done that before.”
The images of Silva’s horrendous broken leg and his agonising reaction drew audible gasps from the Las Vegas crowd and could sadly spell the end to one of the most distinguished careers in the sport’s history.
UFC President and ardent Silva fan, Dana White, lead a legion of experts suggesting it could be the last time the 38-year-old steps into the Octagon.
“This would be a tough thing to overcome and come back from at his age,” said White. “He’s one of the greatest of all time if not the best ever. It’s a (expletive) way to see him go out.
Silva, who lost the middleweight belt in July after six years as champ, will turn 39 in April and now faces surgery and at least a year on the sidelines in rehabilitation if he wants to return to the cage.
The Brazilian has openly talked about retirement since he turned 35 and may well use this massive setback as a time to call it quits and spend more time with his family.
If he does decide to hang up his gloves he will leave the sport as one of its most distinguished and entertaining fighters.
In pure numbers in the UFC alone he holds the record for most consecutive title defences, most wins, longest win streak, longest title reign, most finishes and highest significant striking accuracy.
However the manner which he set those records has been even more impressive: while some have made their way to the top by playing it safe with wrestling and grinding, Silva chose the way of the ninja: combing matrix like reflexes with deadly, pin-point muay-thai and backed it all up with an impressive jujitsu game.
He proved his dominance not just at his favoured middleweight level where he took down all comers but also occasionally stepping up to the light-heavyweight level where he memorably man-handled former champ Forrest Griffin.
While it would have been nice for the sports greatest fighter to ride off into the sunset on a high, when the dust settles it will be the memories of his skill and guile that will linger not this awful one.
Now over to you Roarers, is this the end for Silva and what is your favourite memory of The Spider?
Let’s get ready to rumble! Pick a fighter and place your bets with PlayUp for great odds. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
A bloodied Tim Tszyu has been cruelly denied in his quest to emulate his legendary father Kostya and become a unified world boxing champion…
Liam Wilson has suffered further heartbreak in Arizona, the Australian boxer losing his super-featherweight world-title fight against Mexican Oscar Valdez. In front of a…
Tim Tszyu has the chance to emulate his legendary father as a unified world boxing champion after the stakes were dramatically raised for his…
Australia's Alexander Volkanovski has lost his UFC featherweight title to Ilia Topuria, with the Spaniard scoring a stunning second round knockout in the main…
Jason Moloney has survived an enthralling 12-round world title defence against Saul Sanchez in Canada, opening the door to a blockbuster unification fight in…
Conor McGregor says he's returning to the UFC for a fight against Michael Chandler on June 29 in Las Vegas, calling it the "greatest…
