Issue 109

December 2013

As Anderson Silva prepares to challenge for the middleweight gold he held for nearly seven years, and Chris Weidman makes a first defense after his massive KO win to take it in July, FO examines what the fighters, trainers and insiders are saying ahead of what’s being called the biggest UFC fight ever.

Pleasure is found first in anticipation, later in memory.’ Mixed martial arts, and Chris Weidman’s sport-stopping rematch with Anderson Silva, obviously wasn’t on the mind of 19th century French novelist Gustave Flaubert when he committed that line to paper. But it is fitting for both as we all begin to prepare for what UFC president Dana White has said will be the biggest fight in UFC history. 

Weidman’s peers might have picked him to take the UFC middleweight title from Silva at UFC 162 in July (predicting a ground-based beating) but plenty of others didn’t and expected a Silva Muay Thai assault to win the day. 

Of course, not a soul thought the New York wrestler would win by knockout while the Brazilian ‘Spider’ was mid performance – all hands down and head bobbing. It was thrilling, shocking, unbelievable. We felt that pleasure in anticipation and memory once, and now we’re about to

all over again. 

On December 28th in Las Vegas, and inside the very same MGM Grand Garden Arena as July, after so much anticipation Weidman and Silva will stand opposite each other, ready to make memories for millions of onlookers. Will they be of Silva regaining the title? And if they aren’t, what will lead Weidman to the second stunning upset of his short career? 

When last they fought, Anderson was easily taken down and challenged with a kneebar before he could even land a blow. People had expected that to happen, but perhaps not so easily or so quickly. After swallowing some hard shots on the canvas, when Silva got back on his feet, his trademark grandstanding began. 

Between rounds, and at the beginning of the second, the Spider ratcheted it up, pretending to be physically troubled by the grappler’s punches. With Silva stuffing a slow Weidman double-leg as the frame’s first minute ticked off the clock, fans could have been forgiven for assuming a Weidman ‘L’ was inevitable. 

But when Silva closed his eyes and pretended he was on rubber legs one more time, his 29-year-old challenger called his bluff and seconds later, as The Spider was evading blows with his hands at his waist, he was suddenly toppled back and out courtesy of a left hook.

The previous bout considered, what each man might do when the cage door closes again in December is a source for much discussion. Outside of the shocking UFC 162 outcome, and whether Silva has yet physically and mentally recovered from his first knockout loss, it has been noted Weidman only wrestled until he was goaded into a kickboxing bout – with admittedly ultimate success. Will he allow his bread and butter skill-set or his previous achievement to dictate his actions at UFC 168? 

Ray Longo, Chris’ head coach and the man who taught the grappler how to throw a proper punch, will only reveal a little of the champion’s mind-set for the rematch.

“You are going to see a more confident Chris Weidman than ever before and it’s a big deal that he knows he can knock him out,” the boxing trainer tells Fighters Only exclusively. “That wasn’t even his forte. His wrestling is on point. His striking gets better every second of every day. His jiu-jitsu is better.” 

A great deal has been made of Silva’s arrogance and hands-low style causing his loss. Would a focus on vanilla striking fundamentals make his Muay Thai even more devastating? Would Anderson even consider changing?

“No,” he states plainly. “Why? For 10 years I used this style so why change? If I change it’s not me. It’s going to be the same.”

Most would regard that as a questionable idea (assuming Silva is even telling the truth). But that game plan did carry him to a record-breaking streak of middleweight title defenses.

Nate Marquardt, now a UFC welterweight, challenged for Silva’s middleweight title in 2007, losing like so many others by early TKO. He has rare insight into Silva’s abilities, and a unique take on the debate over where his hands should be located on fight night.

“Fighting with his hands down, well that’s Silva’s style,” Marquardt remarks to FO. “It would be awkward for him to all of a sudden go out and fight with his hands up. Just like Muhammad Ali always fought with his hands down, Anderson moves well that way.”

In a recent Fighters Only column, Anderson said he believed Weidman wouldn’t want to try his luck on the feet again in December, and would opt to wrestle instead. “Chris Weidman is a good boy but he doesn’t have good technique in stand-up and he doesn’t have experience in the Octagon,” added Silva, who will turn 39 next year.

Ray Longo would beg to differ, and he’s very keen to remind those who believe his star pupil’s knockout left hook was lucky (on account of Silva’s antics) that, in Weidman, they’ve bottled the lightning that struck in July.

The boxing trainer asserts: “You will see a very focused, determined Chris Weidman out to prove everybody wrong who thinks that just because this guy (Silva) did exactly what he has done in every other fight before this, that it is the reason he lost.”

Those who have analyzed the final few moments of Anderson Silva’s title reign have noticed the final blow, a left hook as Silva was leaning away from a combination, caught his jaw when his stance was square to Weidman. A faux pas in boxing. It’s clear this error hasn’t gone unnoticed by Team Silva, because when asked about it the former champion responds almost laughing, saying: “You’re in Anderson’s camp, bro. You’re in Anderson’s camp for the next fight.”

Though Silva claims he won’t be keeping his fists to his temples to block strikes, Fighters Only spoke directly with several of his sparring partners and discovered it’s very much a part of his everyday training in the gym.

“We remind him the whole time to keep the guard up,” reveals Team Nogueira featherweight Bruno Machado. “All coaches remind him about it, and he is even avoiding training with the hands down so when it gets to fight time he doesn’t commit those mistakes.”

And Muay Thai black belt Diego Braga has noticed the same things. He says: “The coaches have been watching over him the whole time telling him the same thing about the guard, moving on the feet. He can’t be still at any time. It has been amazing to see that he wants to learn, to be improved and keep in mind all lessons.”

Whether it’s all sinking in is another matter.

Silva’s isn’t the only base camp wanting to keep things conventional. While others might try to supercharge their training by switching between gyms, Longo is adamant Weidman doesn’t need to take his training on tour to get the best possible fight camp. He says all the tools to beat Silva again are on Long Island.

“I think it’s important to train with different people but it’s always important to know where you come from,” he tells FO. “My thing is, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Why would you go somewhere else? If I felt like one of my guys

was lacking in something I would be the first person finding out what to do about it.”

It’s worth remembering that Weidman’s MMA career is only 10 fights old. And, as was stated in July, his preparation for the Silva fight was his first structured, eight-week training camp. That provided Weidman and his trainers with confidence on fight night, and now the champion believes he’s in an even better position for his rematch preparations.

“The only difference for this fight with me is I’m going to have more time to really get better,” he told reporters recently. 

“The last time (before camp) I was still nursing an injury so the time I got into camp it was really just to get ring rust off and get in shape. This time I’m able to play with different things and do some things I’ve been wanting to do for a long time and get comfortable with it in sparring to where I’m going to get comfortable to do them in the fight.”

Despite the emphasis on the physical, fighting is supposed to be predominantly a mental pursuit. And both men will be under considerable psychological pressure by fight night: Weidman trying to balance his confidence and his calm, Silva the weight of Brasileiro expectation and, likely, personal concerns over the strength of his chin.

“It’s going to do something to Anderson,” reveals former opponent Marquardt of Silva’s first knockout defeat. “It’s either going to hurt his mentality, meaning he’s going to continue to be cocky, or I think it might help him realize he can get caught and he just has to stay sharp.”

By all accounts, his time in the gym has been “hungry” and “rigid” but also positive, suggesting Silva’s not wearing the weight of the forthcoming occasion. Teammate Cláudio Cezario states: “Anderson is very focused, happy and excited. He only thinks about being the champion and he looks like a boy in the beginning of his career.” And Cezario is keen to point out that coach Rodrigo Nogueira believes the Spider is having the “best camp” of his career. 

But off the mats, Anderson’s recent claim he was at just 85% of optimal health when he lost his title in July could be seen as a bit of gamesmanship. When Silva’s claim was relayed to Weidman at a press conference in Brazil promoting the rematch, the American appeared a little frustrated Silva had seemingly suggested his win should come with small print – which may well have been the purpose. 

That event was the final stop in what had been an intense seven-day press tour that required the American and the Brazilian to share desks in TV studios, waiting rooms and a considerable amount of time in each other’s personal space in general. Which is unusual, and an added challenge on the cerebrum for two men constantly being asked questions designed to disparage the other while trying to remain professional without lowering their game faces too far. 

“At first it was a little weird having to see him,” says Weidman. “But after that he’s a cool dude. It would have been awkward if we were trying to stare each other down and bump into each other in the hallways but it’s been very cordial. We’re not trying to become best friends or anything like that. But we’re cool. I think we both respect each other as people.”

Of course, the entire process could be a disadvantage for Silva – a fighter noted for using his aura of invincibility to help defeat his competitors. Being knocked out cold will shatter that somewhat, obviously, but having been required to play nice for a straight week will likely have made him appear even more human to a champion who already feared him very little.

True to form, the prospect of having to beat Silva again, something thought of as impossible enough the first time, is something the new champ has been prepared to take in his stride all along.

“I knew going into that fight we were going to have a rematch, I was going to have to prove people wrong again,” he said in September. “Even after this next fight when I win there’s still going to be a lot of doubters out there. No matter what there are always going to be excuses out there for why I got the ‘W’.”

That prediction, depending on who you speak to, might be an ambitious one. The bookmakers have Silva as a slight favorite for a start. And many contend that if a serious Silva comes to fight in December, Weidman will have a hard time getting his hand raised. 

However, Anderson’s old foe, Chael P Sonnen, is certainly not one of them. He’s tried for the Brazilian’s belt twice, and was only minutes away from walking away with it the first time. And through the venom-laced humor he makes an interesting point. 

“Anderson is a wonderful, wonderful talent,” Sonnen remarks to FO. “But to act as though a 38-year-old is going to beat a 29-year-old undefeated champion isn’t realistic. In the history of fighting – including boxing, wrestling and MMA – a rematch has never, not once, favored the old fighter. 

“There is a decade’s age difference here. That isn’t a knock to Anderson, he’s had an amazing career and his laurels speak for themselves. I have no interest in insulting him. But the fact is, Chris Weidman did not fight a good fight. He fought a good two minutes and started to fall apart; I believe he started feeling the pressure. That was one of the worst Chris Weidmans that I have ever seen and he still dominated every second of the fight. You can talk about Anderson putting his hands down, and all this, but please understand, we are going to see a much better Chris Weidman on December 28th as well.”

Which name Bruce Buffer will be announcing as the winner to finish off UFC 168 is, rightly, all anyone wants to know. But, arguably, what may happen afterward is more interesting. Weidman wins, and it revives the middleweight division with a marketable, English-speaking champ as its leader. 

Silva wins, and, depending on the method, there’s an even bigger trilogy tilt or a long-mooted Jon Jones superfight. Whatever happens it’ll no doubt make for great viewing, and even better business.

Fabricio Werdum, UFC heavyweight

“It’s very difficult to pick a winner. Everybody saw the fight and I was commentating on it for the Spanish broadcast. For sure Anderson played a lot and Weidman got the punch. Next time Anderson will go for a serious fight. He will be 100% Anderson Silva; he will win for sure. In the fight Anderson will punch, Weidman will fall on the ground, Anderson will punch a lot and the referee will stop the fight. Or, it will be a big surprise again (laughs).”

Cain Velasquez, UFC heavyweight champion

“Weidman will come in and try to take Silva down. That will be his best bet. For Silva (his game plan will be), to come out more focused, you know? Hands up, more determined on doing something. I believe Silva will be different as far as him being more focused in the fight, not taking it, I wouldn’t say as a joke, but not putting his hands down, being more serious about it.”

Brandon Vera, UFC heavyweight

“This rematch is necessary. I think Anderson will take it a lot more serious this time; he won’t be playing around as much. And it will be good to see that, we haven’t seen that from him in a long time. It will be cool. And Chris is no joke either, man; he took the belt from Anderson. We have to wait and see what happens, whether Weidman defends the title or Anderson reclaims it.”

Michael Bisping, UFC middleweight

“Anderson lost the fight because he acted like an idiot, to be honest. Weidman won the fight for sure, but Anderson didn’t respect his opponent and he paid the price. I picked Weidman to win by decision; I didn’t see him knocking him out. This time I think he wins a decision and remains champion. But Anderson is the best of the best; he has been for a long time. Who knows? He doesn’t do too well against strong wrestlers and Weidman has already knocked him out once. It’s going to be a hell of a fight.”

Sarah Kaufman, UFC bantamweight

“Will Silva fear Weidman’s hands? I think he will. When a fighter is on such a long streak they get that confidence, and that confidence is what allows them to win fights. That’s been shattered a little bit.

“Anderson Silva’s been at the top for a long time and, honestly, training for five-round fights is not fun. To train for that many title fights in a row, that’s taxing on the body, and he’s getting older. I honestly think Anderson Silva is on his way out so it would be great to have Chris Weidman take the torch and run with it.”

Lyoto Machida, UFC middleweight

“Anderson is going to win this rematch. How? (Big smile) By knockout in the third round.”

Daniel Cormier, UFC heavyweight

“It’s going to be very similar (to their first fight). Anderson’s going to have his hands up a little bit better and Chris has to employ the same strategy: score takedowns to set up his striking. He will be more confident because he knows that the impossible can be done. As a competitor, Silva will want to avenge (the knockout). Hopefully he doesn’t fight with emotion because if he does it’ll get bad for him.

“If Anderson wins I believe we’ll see a third fight. If Chris Weidman wins he will go to levels that people probably thought he would never go on to see, because I think he’s going to rule this division for a while if he can get through Anderson again.”

John Dodson, UFC flyweight

“Anderson Silva’s going to come out with a better game plan, making sure that he’s going to stay focused and bring his ‘A’ game instead of messing around like he did with everybody else previously. With Weidman, I think he’s going to be more cautious of that. He’s going to try to step up his game because in the first round Anderson Silva was toying with him and destroying him at the same time. So he’s going to have to be more aggressive and be more like a champion.

“It’s time for that middleweight torch to be passed on because it would be good to see somebody younger and fresher coming in to the division and a new star to rise; and it’ll bring out the other stars in that middleweight division too.”

It's a numbers game

Can the past tell us anything about the futures of Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva? When they meet in the main event of UFC 168 at the end of December, they will do so under rare circumstances.

In UFC history, there has only been a generous handful of title fights that were rematches of a first championship bout between two fighters, and where the gold changed hands in that same tussle. Using that data Fighters Only can provide, with the help of official UFC statistics provider FightMetric, some insight into what might happen in Weidman and Silva’s second fight. 

Ignoring rematches of vacant titles (as no fighter lost the belt in the first match), and interim belts (for the sake of a more accurate comparison with Weidman-Silva II), the odds are in Weidman’s favor.

Historically, the challenger in the second fight, who in this case would be Anderson Silva, has come up short more often, going 3-5. Three of those eight bouts were immediate rematches, just like Weidman and Silva’s revisit: Randy Couture vs. Vitor Belfort, Frankie Edgar vs. BJ Penn and Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar. Again, it looks promising for the American – the challenger only came out on top once, 1-2.

Just for fun, let’s apply one more criteria to those eight: a ‘lucky’ stoppage. Some have called Weidman’s left hook knockout of the Spider a fluke, and Matt Hughes first beat Carlos Newton with a KO slam after going unconscious inside Newton’s standing triangle choke – fortuitously for Hughes. Likewise, Vitor Belfort defeated Randy Couture in their first title bout thanks to a cut to ‘The Natural’s eyelid. And some regarded Serra’s knockout of Georges St Pierre at UFC 69 as lucky, ditto for Junior Dos Santos’ win over Cain Velasquez in the UFC’s Fox debut. 

Big bother?

For the rematch, champion Chris Weidman has taken the unorthodox step of opening up his training camps to the eyes of internet users. Via ChampChallenge.com Weidman is allowing paying members to see his exact training and diet regime, and view webcams pointed inside his New York gym 24/7.