Whining without words: The Anderson Silva saga

UFC 112 was supposed to be a spectacular night in MMA history; instead fans and proponents of the sport were left confused and looking for answers from the man who has been dubbed “the greatest pound for pound fighter in the world.”

Held in Abu Dhabi, 112 was the first ever UFC event held in an outdoors venue and featured both the Lightweight and Middleweight title matches as well as a match between two legends of the sport. The night started well but became total madness when the main event turned into a circus.

Anderson Silva, the Brazilian Muay Thai champion, was matched up to fight fellow countryman and jiu-jitsu technician, Demian Maia. Silva’s past two fights defending his lightweight championship belt have been a farce as he seemed disinterested, overly cocky and unsportsmanlike in the octagon even though he won both fights. Needless to say, Dana White was looking to see Silva at his best, but unfortunately what was witnessed was one of the weirdest things to happen in MMA history.

The fight went a full five rounds with Silva barely engaging with Maia. Unfortunately for Maia, Silva is so talented that when they did engage Silva got the best of him to the behest of all watching. The whole five round fight consisted of Silva clowning around the ring, engaging with a punch or kick and then retreating by running around in circles.

White was so disgusted with Silva’s actions that he left the fight in the fourth round and threw the middleweight title belt on the ground in front of Silva’s trainer Ed Soares and told him to put the belt on him because there was no way he was going to do it himself. After the fight, Silva was apologetic to the fans initially but in later days proved to be content in his actions and in his title defence.

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There has been lots of speculation in the MMA world about whether Silva is intentionally acting this way in title fights to anger the UFC for not allowing him to fight Roy Jones Jr. which he has publicly stated he intends on doing.

According to well known MMA blog Fighters.com, Silva’s contract with the UFC is set up in such a way that it would be nearly impossible for him to fight Jones Jr. without White’s blessing. The drama arises as White has stated on numerous occasions that he would never sign off on that fight.

Silva’s contract with the UFC states that if Silva retires as UFC champion, he is forever bound to the UFC if he ever wants to fight again in any sort of combat sport. The catch-22 is that Silva will not vacate his title nor will he throw a fight without ruining any potential of his fight with Jones Jr. from happening. The only way for it to be possible for Silva to fight Jones Jr. without the UFC’s blessing is to lose his title, but in the end that would likely end with Jones Jr. having no need to fight him.

After witnessing White’s frustration with Silva’s antics, there is likely some heated discussions going on behind the scenes related to the Jones Jr. issue. Silva is tainting the professionalism of fighters in the UFC by his actions and he is holding White and the UFC hostage with his ring antics.

One week after the fight, Silva and Maia appeared on a Brazilian talk show that has always supported MMA. When questioned about the criticism that was openly aired in the media by White, Silva responded by saying, “He is the president of the event and can say and do whatever he wants, but in our sport, only eye gouging, stomps on the opponent and elbows to the back of the head are prohibited.”

Even though he lost, Maia, who showed true heart and the resolve to never give up in the Silva fight was asked who his role models and heroes in MMA are and how they have shaped him as a fighter. He responded with a message pointed at Silva.

“I always admired the Gracie family — the creators of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which I’m very proud to represent — Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, who is a great friend, and Wanderlei Silva.” said Maia. “I believe an idol has to be an example for the fans, not only in the ring but all the time with his behaviour and attitude.”

There are many skilled technicians in the MMA world but few get far in the sport and with fans without a fighting spirit and a true heart. Silva started his career embodying these traits but as they are being shrouded by his need to fight Jones Jr. his will and resolve as a fighter is dying.

Without respect for each other fighters have nothing; Silva’s actions have disrespected the sport, his opponents, the fans but most importantly himself. Frankie Edgar, a virtual nobody to those outside the MMA world beat a world champion of eight years on the same will and desire to fight that is lacking from Silva’s form at the moment.

Silva went from a legend to a scapegoat in three fights.

Lets hope the man wakes up soon, for his own sake.

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