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?
Damien
Roar Guru
I'd say Weidman v Belfort is locked in. During the Post Fight Presser Dana gave Vitor the last say and Vitor congratulated Weidman and said he's looking forward to challenging for the belt. It sort of felt awkward and staged. I got the feeling that Vitor's 'challenge' was supposed to happen in the cage after the fight to whoever won but the injury to Silva made that impossible.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
He will fight again. At LHW.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Well Dand White announced it is locked in so probably 50/50.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Thanks Nick always love your comments, Silva's fight against Franklin was amazing, especially the second one where Franklin knew exactly what Silva was preparing for him and did everything he could to prepare for it but still couldn't counter it. Pure dominance over a man who looked like he would reign over the division for years. That said my favorite Silva memory was his first fight against Sonnen, I've written about it before but I think pulling out a submission after being beaten bloody for five straight elevated him to another level in my mind, it is what puts him above everyone else in the sport. Just a moment where sheer guts, determination and will to win combine perfectly with an immense talent to produce something that is completely unstoppable. I kind of compare it to the like of Steve Waugh's four on the last ball of his perfect day or Ian Thorpe chasing down Garry Hall Jnr in the 4x100m, it is when a truly great sportsman becomes a legend.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Good one Sam B. Yes for me its the end, I don't see him coming back from this. My best AS memory has to be the clinch lesson he gave to Rich Franklin. It was, and remains, the first time that I saw a muay thai skill used that efficiently at this level. That was just incredible.
Sam
Guest
It's a shame the rematch had to end like this. Silva is a one of the greatest of all time, unfortunatly I still feel like the MMA world is waiting for Weidman to prove himself, prove that his initial win wasn't a fluke. Has Belfort vs Weidman been officially announced?