Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman Talks About Anderson Silva’s Antics
Newly crowned 185lb. champion Chris Weidman shocked fans and bookmakers with his epic KO of Anderson Silva. Snapping his amazing win streak, and knocking him from the championship top spot. The win was a history making one, in all aspects of the term. It could have gone so much differently though, it was apparent by round two that Silva’s clowning was starting to get to Chris Weidman.
The All American started to look slightly, only slightly, Forrest Griffin-esque. It could have been the beginning of the end for Weidman, but as we know, he turned it around and scored a cracking knockout. Check out what the new MW boss had to say via MMAMania.com:
“”You have no idea what is going to happen when you get into the Octagon. If you have any insecurities at all, [Anderson Silva] will expose that — he’s going to bring them out and make you pay. He’ll put his hands down, he’ll put his hands on his hips, he’ll talk and make you feel like you don’t belong in the Octagon with him. I knew what he was doing. I just had to remain mentally strong and confident. And that’s what I did.”
“I was prepared [for the clowning], but I did react. I was like, ‘How dare you, you’re doing this to me?’ Are you joking? I had that attitude. I’m like, ‘You’re not even hitting me — you’re taunting and taunting. Hit me in the face, I don’t care!’ That was my attitude, but then it got to the point where I’m throwing punches until I land and crack him. And that’s how I finished the fight.”
Now although Weidman may not openly admit to being phazed, he clearly was. It was probably the fact that he was a bit annoyed and frustrated that helped contribute to the win. That and a perfectly timed left hook, of course.
With the rematch set for UFC 166, it leads me to ask the question ‘what if he doesnt catch Silva next time?’. The reality of the matter is that Silva may be a bit more humbled next time, but the mind games will still be on tap.
A win over Silva will obviously boost Weidman’s confidence ahead of the rematch, but if Silva is more on his toes and can land well-it will be a long night for Weidman.
