UFC 183: Anderson Silva Open Workout Highlights & Media Scrum

Today, the UFC 183 open workouts went down from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main focus of the event is understandably fixated upon the long-awaited return of longtime former champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva who will face off with Nick Diaz in the main event.

While Diaz decided to no-show the workout session for fans and media, Silva decided to put on a show, looking fast and accurate in the process. Check out the highlights:

After the workout session, Silva met up with members of the media for a scrum (courtesy of MMA H.E.A.T.):

In the 10-minute interview, Silva seemingly feigned surprise at Diaz’ absence, noting that he believed the Stockton-based fighter to have missed his flight to Vegas like he also did:

“What? Nick no is here? I think the same problem with me. When I come to here, I lost my flyer. I think the same with Nick. I don’t know.”

Speaking through Ed Soares, Silva said Diaz not working out didn’t have an effect on what he did:

“No, I always put on a show when I do an open workout.”

He opened up about his mindset about fighting Diaz, appearing much more calm and joyful than the latter days of his title reign that ended with his now-legendary knockout loss to champion Chris Weidman at UFC 162 in July 2013:

“I’m very happy. After this year that I’ve had and the horrible things that I went through over the past year, I’m just very happy and very excited, and I just pray to God for him to lead me through this fight, and I’m happy to be back.”

Silva was questioned about a rumor that he had been knocked out in training leading up to this fight, and he confirmed that teammate Khalil Rountree had indeed knocked him out with a kick:

“Yeah, Khalil give me the kick in the face. Boom.”

But Silva laughed it off, stating that he just went to play paintball with his Rountree directly afterwards:

“When I finish the training, I go to paintball, and I shoot at Khalil.”

So “The Spider” seems relaxed and happy, something that was noticeably absent from the lead-up to his two losses to Weidman. That usually translates into a razor-sharp knockout from Silva.

Still, many questions remain about the 39-year-old “Spider.” Will he begin a road back to the championship on Saturday night?