Anderson Silva’s glittering UFC career seemingly came to an end last night as he was finished in the fourth of his main event bout with Uriah Hall. Despite having one fight left on his deal, much of the build-up was centred around it being Silva’s last dance and Dana White confirmed as much at the post fight press conference.
Anderson looked good in the early rounds, was moving well and landing with shots on the move while Hall seemed hesitant to throw, perhaps overawed by the occasion and the opponent in what became a cagey affair.
The third was Silva’s best round as he continued to circle and land leg kicks and stinging punches, however it all unravelled towards the end of the round as Silva was caught with a short right hook on the top of the head that dropped him. Hall followed up with some nasty ground an pound, and had the round been ten seconds longer would’ve more than likely finished the contest there and then.
As the fourth round began ‘The Spider’ seemed to have regained his senses, until he sloppily lunged in and was caught with another right hand, with this time enough time left in the round for Hall to finish Silva via TKO. After the fight Hall broke down in tears telling Anderson “I’m so sorry, you’re the reason I’m doing this” another indication of the mans greatness.
As we know from MMA retirements, they often don’t happen when they should, with fighters holding on too long, becoming shells of their prime selves. While Silva hasn’t reached BJ Penn’s level, there’s no hiding from the fact he’s 1-7 with one no contest in his last nine fights and definitely seems to have lost his punch resistance.
Whether he continues in another promotion or not, Silva will always have a place in the GOAT conversation and nothing he will do from now will have any meaningful effect on his overall legacy, other than placing him in the large category of fighters who held on too long.
Subscribe
