All of us who watched Saturdays UFC 112 extravaganza in Abu Dhabi certainly saw a night to remember. A night where the unexpected was the rule.
Matt Hughes won a striking contest, has this ever happened? BJ Penn lost the title, and at 155 pounds no less. And allegedly one of the best martial artists of all time Anderson Silva proved to the world that he’s not only a complete jerk, but supposedly the greatest striker in mixed marital arts couldn’t put away arguably the worst striker in mma.
He’s in a class by himself they say, no one can touch him they say. He’s like Muhammed Ali was to boxing they say. Hold it right there (Squealing tires sound effect). I watched most of Ali’s fights and while he would occasionally mug for the camera and verbally taunt his opponent, it was usually over and done with in a fairly short period of time. Like a great comedian who knows when it’s time to move on to another joke Ali would always cut the nonsense and get down to business after a few seconds of hamming it up. He would never put on the classless show that Silva did especailly in round 2 of UFC 112.
The constant talking, taunting and squirrely actions by Silva through the fight left most, including usual Silva lacky’s Rogan and Goldberg obviously disgusted by the shenanigans that they were witnessing. It doesn’t take long for one to realize that seriously great fighters who have respect for their art don’t act that way. And even if they did, they certainly don’t get warned by the referee to stop running around in circles. This left many fans, the ones who were chanting “Maia, Maia” repeatedly disenchanted with their former hero. In fact, even the referee who barely held Silva’s arm in the air as he looked away in disgust had had enough of the Anderson Silva show.
Yes Anderson, the whole world knew coming into the fight that you could strike better than Demian Maia, my 16 year old nephew who has been boxing for two years can strike better than Demian Maia. Isn’t the point then to show how fast you can end the fight with your superior striking ability? No, not in Anderson’s world. In Anderson Silva’s world jumping around like a clown and verbally taunting your opponent and basically running away in the later rounds is the best way to show the world that you are the greatest.
He did prove one thing conclusively however. He proved that no matter how good he really is it can be masked in a charade of cartoon antics and show boating unequalled thus far in the UFC. Those who hate Brock Lesnar for his pre and post fight actions (and there’s plenty to hate there) might want to consider replacing their largest hate interest with yet one more clown. One thing I will say for Lesnar, at least when the fight starts he gets down to business and actually gives the fans what they came to see. In Silva’s case while he obviously out struck a hapless Maia (did anyone think he wouldn’t?), he owes the UFC and every serious fan a deep heart felt apology for making a joke out of a title fight.
But not to worry he did accomplish one thing, he earned a new nick name. Instead of Anderson “The Spider” Silva, he should be called Anderson “The Jerk” Silva. Until he climbs back into the Octagon and shows the world what he is actually capable of minus the clowning that’s what he’ll be known as to many of us who watched his disgusting performance.
