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Morning Report: Ahead of Anderson Silva’s final UFC fight, Chris Weidman recalls best and worst moments with ‘The Spider’

UFC 168: Weidman v Silva 2Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

This Saturday, Anderson Silva will compete for what could be the final time in his illustrious career. Silva takes on Uriah Hall in the main event of UFC Vegas 12 and afterwards, it’s thought that the 45-year-old Silva will step away from the UFC, and possibly the sport in general. Ahead of what could be the end of one of the most significant careers in MMA history, there has been an outpouring of remembrances from fellow fighters and now Silva’s greatest foe has joined in.

Chris Weidman was the man who finally ended Silva’s record-setting run in the UFC, knocking out “The Spider” to claim the middleweight title at UFC 162. It remains one of the most stunning wins in MMA history, and when the two men rematched five months later at UFC 168, Weidman again got his hand raised, shattering Silva’s shin by checking a kick. Speaking with Submission Radio recently, Weidman addressed his history with Silva, ahead of the great’s impending retirement, and noted the complicated relationship he had with Anderson.

“One of the good moments, I remember him, we did this huge signing after the first fight going into the second one in New York City,” Weidman said. “The lines were wrapped about the building multiple times, it was just crazy. And I had my son CJ, who is here, and he was with me, and he might have been, well, I guess, one. Yeah, because this is 2013. And Anderson Silva came over to my table, we were talking, I think my dad might have been there, my wife and my son and he. I’m pretty sure he took a picture with him.”

“Some of the negative memories other than fighting, but some of the backstage stuff is one that Longo can’t stand him for. Matt (Serra) and they all witnessed it, but before my first fight with him in the backstage heading out to the weigh-ins, I was getting ready to walk out, and Longo, he was sitting down somewhere. He was supposed to be standing next to me, because you and one cornermen are supposed to be getting ready to walk out for the weigh-ins. And Longo was sitting down somewhere, so I was by myself on the line. And apparently he (Anderson) came behind me and started mocking me and dancing behind me with his full crew. He had like 15 guys, 15 Brazilians, and I was by myself, and I didn’t really realize, but apparently Matt and Ray and them all noticed and they were like, ‘Yo, F this guy, yeah, tomorrow you’re gonna put him in his place’. So, I just thought that was a piece of dirt move and bully maneuver to be doing that behind me. But whatever, I fought him twice.”

Weidman’s wins over Silva irrevocably altered the all-time great’s career. Since losing the belt, Silva’s career has taken a noticeable decline. He has failed multiple drug tests for banned substances and gone 1-5 with 1 no-contest in the seven years since then. And unfortunately, Weidman believes that things will continue to slide for Silva this weekend.

“He’s had an amazing career, and I mean, he hasn’t been looking bad in his last few fights,” Wediman said about Silva’s chances against Uriah Hall. “He had a close fight with Israel Adesanya. If I had to put all my money on who wins this fight, I think Uriah Hall has more interest in winning than Anderson Silva. I think Anderson Silva wants to put on a show and do something awesome and put on a good fight, and I think Uriah Hall has interest in that as well, but I think he would love to get a win over Anderson Silva.”

Oddsmakers agree, installing Hall as a clear favorite in the bout. But that’s why they fight the fights, and this Saturday, Anderson Silva will have one more chance to turn back the clock and put on a vintage “Spider” performance.


MUST-READ STORIES

Bellator 250. Gegard Mousasi is now a two-time middleweight champion with tactical win over Douglas Lima.

All hail the king. Brazilian MMA fighters speak on the legacy of Anderson Silva.

Hope. Dana White reveals new talks with Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘I have a feeling he might go for 30-0’.

Low. UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje reportedly sells 500K pay-per-view buys in the U.S.

LOL. Uriah Hall blasts UFC champ Israel Adesanya: ‘He’s looking for easy fights’.

Ouch. Johnny Campbell shares grisly details of ear nearly being torn off in recent fight.


VIDEO STEW

Bellator 250 highlights.

The A-Side Live Chat.

What the Heck.

Rare submissions in UFC history.

Khabib’s best quotes.

MixedMollyWhoppery on Khabib.


LISTEN UP

Heavy Hands. Discussing the last ride of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Fights Gone By. Previewing the “final” fight of Anderson Silva’s career and where he goes next.


SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Got him.

Interesting.

Making her case.

Big time KO last night.

Catching corona.

Can’t see him.

Let’s do it.

Welcoming.

Seems like Zabit-Yair is getting remade for a third time.

They did not do well.


FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kevin Holland (19-5) vs. Charlie Ontiveros (11-6); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 31.

Janay Harding (5-4) vs. Jessy Miele (9-4); Bellator 251, Nov. 5.

Khalid Taha (14-2) vs. Raoni Barcelos (15-1); UFC Fight Night, Nov. 7.

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-0) vs. Juliana Velasquez (10-0); Bellator 254, Dec. 10.

Billy Quarantillo (15-2) vs. Gavin Tucker (12-1); UFC 256, Dec. 12.

Dominick Reyes (12-2) vs. Jiri Prochazka (27-3-1); UFC Fight Night, Feb. 27.


FINAL THOUGHTS

Sorry about the lack of TMR yesterday. Atlanta got hit by a storm and I lost power for roughly 12 hours.

Thanks for reading and see y’all on Monday.


EXIT POLL


If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.

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