Silva admits making 'basic mistakes' against Weidman

MANILA – Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva acknowledged he made mistakes in his title defense against Chris Weidman at UFC 162, which saw him lose inside the Octagon for the first time in his career.

Weidman caught Silva flush in the second round, knocking out the Brazilian legend to become the new middleweight champion.

“My mistakes in that fight – and that’s the first time I’m saying this – were basic mistakes,” Silva said in an interview with SporTV.

“I did everything I had to do, except to hit him,” he added. “I didn’t counter-attack. When I stopped with my feet parallel, I should have hit him and walked one step behind. I didn’t do that.”

After the fight, Silva came under fire for showboating, and some even believed that his antics inside the cage led to his loss.

But the Brazilian said he does not regret his actions, and vowed to clean up the mistakes he made when he and Weidman meet again on December 28 in a highly-anticipated rematch.

“I saw my mistakes, and I’m working on that to train for this next fight,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough fight, and it won’t last too long if it stays standing.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

UFC: Weidman KOs Silva to claim middleweight title

MANILA, Philippines -- In a stunning upset, Chris Weidman knocked out Brazilian legend Anderson "The Spider" Silva in the second round of their main event bout at UFC 162 Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila) to become the new UFC middleweight champion.

Weidman knocked out Silva at the 1:18 mark of the second round, and in the process ended the Brazilian's 16-fight winning streak in the UFC.

It was also Silva's first loss since 2006, and the first time that he has ever been knocked out.

The loss also stopped Silva's streak of 10 consecutive successful title defenses, also a UFC record.

Weidman started off strong, but Silva was taunting and playing around in the opening round, and even putting his hands on his hips.

Silva paid for his nonchalance in the second round when, with his hands on his hips again, Weidman connected on a huge left hook that floored the Brazilian legend.

The loss dropped Silva's record to 33-5. Weidman, meanwhile, remains unbeaten in his MMA career with a 10-0 record.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Anderson will test Weidman's chin'

MANILA, Philippines – Veteran UFC fighter Dan Henderson warned Chris Weidman that his chin will be tested when he takes on Anderson “The Spider” Silva for the middleweight championship at UFC 162 on July 6.

“He hasn’t been very well tested with his chin,” Henderson said of Weidman in an interview with Rick J. Lee. “And Anderson definitely will test is. He’s very accurate with his striking.”


Silva, who has held the UFC’s middleweight belt since 2006, has connected on 67.8% of his significant strikes since making his UFC debut and has won 20 of fights via knockout.

Even Henderson, who is known for his strong chin, was wobbled by Silva when they fought at UFC 82 in 2008.

Henderson admitted that he is not very familiar with Weidman’s work, although he believes the challenger can give Silva a tough fight.

“I really haven’t seen much of Chris Weidman,” Henderson admitted. “I know he’s very well-rounded, and very tough, and just a tough dude on his feet and a wrestler as well.”

“So I think he’s capable of putting Anderson on his back and also striking with him,” he added.

But Henderson is still favoring the Brazilian legend to retain his championship.

“I would probably have to bet on Anderson if I was going to bet,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com