Sharpened Muay Thai and modesty…Those are the ingredients used by Anderson Silva to reach the top of the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. On last October 14, the Muay Thai fighter from Curitiba met the biggest challenge of his career head on.
Sharpened Muay Thai and modesty…Those are the ingredients used by Anderson Silva to reach the top of the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. On last October 14, the Muay Thai fighter from Curitiba met the biggest challenge of his career head on. After only one fight in the world famous octagon, Silva was set up to fight current champion Rich Franklin under the lights of a full Mandalay Bay auditorium. However, Silva surprised them all including Franklin with great knees, which KO’d the former champion in less than 4 minutes. The BJJ black belt under Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira, Anderson Silva didn’t even need to take to the ground to win the title. "He accepted exchanging punches with me, but it was my day," Anderson said. Back in Brazil, the Silva talked with MMARR and commented about what he felt after ruling the fight and becoming the new UFC champion. Read the full interview below:
MMA Ring Report: How do you analyze your fight with Franklin ?
Anderson Silva: Well, I was well trained and I believe I was luckier than him since the beginning. I wait for him to open some space and imposed my game. Rich has such a great history of exchanging punches with his opponents and I am glad he accepted doing the same with me. In fact, I guess it was my day and I became champion. But the title is not only mine… its belongs to Brazil and o all my country mates.
MMARR: You guys studied each other a lot before the fight… did he threaten you in any time?
AS: I think we studied and respected each other a lot. To be honest with you, he answered all my attacks. I kicked and he kicked me back. At one point, he threw an elbow which I felt a little… but then I fixed the clinch on his neck and it was my time to show my game.
MMARR: So, by that time you threw a lot of knees… when do you think he felt them?
AS: I am not sure, but I believe he felt the first ones… I believe he got his rib crunched. But then I hit him in the face… so I waited for him to open his guard and apply more knees.
MMARR: Did you feel the pressure of the audience, who was supporting your opponent?
AS: Well, I am used to it. In England, during Cage Rage, everybody was rooting for my opponent and then they changed sides. I am used to this psychological pressure from the audience. I know I am in the ring to prove my best and focused to do the best.
MMARR: And as in England, the UFC crowd acclaimed you…
AS: Yes. Everybody tried to talk to me, asked for pictures and autographs. When I returned to Brazil, only my family and few friends were expecting me at the airport. Unfortunately in Brazil, MMA is not as big as in Japan and US and most of people don’t know what represents to win a title like that one. But things are changing and I hope to have my work recognized some day in my country.
MMARR: Plans for the future? When are we going to see you in action again?
AS: I only want to rest and get recovered from injuries. I will wait for a new invitation to return to the octagon. It’s not right, but I might defend my belt in December…
Sharpened Muay Thai and modesty…Those are the ingredients used by Anderson Silva to reach the top of the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. On last October 14, the Muay Thai fighter from Curitiba met the biggest challenge of his career head on.
Sharpened Muay Thai and modesty…Those are the ingredients used by Anderson Silva to reach the top of the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. On last October 14, the Muay Thai fighter from Curitiba met the biggest challenge of his career head on. After only one fight in the world famous octagon, Silva was set up to fight current champion Rich Franklin under the lights of a full Mandalay Bay auditorium. However, Silva surprised them all including Franklin with great knees, which KO’d the former champion in less than 4 minutes. The BJJ black belt under Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira, Anderson Silva didn’t even need to take to the ground to win the title. "He accepted exchanging punches with me, but it was my day," Anderson said. Back in Brazil, the Silva talked with MMARR and commented about what he felt after ruling the fight and becoming the new UFC champion. Read the full interview below: