For seven long years, the Brazilian ruled the 185 pound division whilst simultaneously delivering lopsided beatdowns to Light Heavyweights in marquee bouts. Making his debut in 2006, Silva would go on to assemble an unparalleled 16 fight win streak defending the Middleweight belt a record 10 times in the process. Silva holds countless records: Most finishes in UFC title fights with 9. Most finishes in the UFC overall with 14. Highest significant strike accuracy in UFC with 67.8%. Most knockdowns landed in UFC History with 17. The list goes on an on.
Basically, Anderson Silva is the greatest fighter in UFC history, arguably the best ever.
However all things no matter how good must eventually end. A left hook in the first and that checked leg kick in the second fight with Weidman removed the long lingering air of invincibility Silva had maintained for so long. ‘The Spider’ was beaten, humbled, and humanised. The mentality gained from a prolonged period as the world’s greatest fighter is now long gone and fast approaching his 40th birthday Silva must prove against Diaz that he still has what it takes to compete with the best in the world.
His opponent Nick Diaz doesn't just defy the rules, he defies critics, fan expectation, fight scientists, and even biologists. A polarizing figure to say the least, Diaz however rarely disappoints once the fight begins. His strategy is simple: He will hit you. Over and over again. Diaz’s striking statistics are just unreal with the fighter infamous for once attempting 181 strikes...in just one round. If he can’t hit you, and the fight goes to the ground, he’ll look to submit you with his understated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. Throw in his inhuman cardio and you have a championship level fighter. Diaz may look rudimentary but he simply cannot be underestimated; he is a relentless warrior, one who will continue to push the pace and move forward, a trait that Silva has been known to struggle with in the past.
Diaz however will almost certainly keep the fight standing...but trading with the legendary Brazilian is probably the worst idea ever. Yes Diaz throws punches in bunches, varying his power to create a suffocating blanket of pain, but Silva is elusive, possessing incredible head movement, can fight at range and can end the fight with just about anything he throws. Silva’s revered Muay Thai plum is deadly and a well placed knee from this position could cause significant damage to his opponent's already scarred face. Diaz loves to come forward, and while a slugfest is exactly what he’ll look to bring, he must realise and be completely prepared to receive a lot of punishment to execute his gameplan.
Silva/Diaz isn’t exactly the greatest superfight the UFC have ever put together but it does feature two of the most entertaining personalities in MMA today. Two years ago this matchup was unthinkable and is testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport. What should be predictable however is the outcome of this blockbuster bout: Anderson Silva should overcome any lingering self-doubt and finish an incredibly game Diaz in the early rounds of the fight, potentially setting up what should be an interesting final encounter with Chris Weidman.
UFC 183 Main Card Predictions - Picks in bold:
Welterweight - Jordan Mein vs. Thiago Alves
Middleweight - Thales Leites vs. Tim Boetsch
Lightweight - Joe Lauzon vs. Al Iaquinta
Welterweight - Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Middleweight - Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz
UFC Picks 2015 Record (3-2)
