![]() ![]() The definition may vary, but the allure of the superfight has always remained the same: It answers a long-debated question by pitting two elite fighters in close weight proximity on a grand stage. Training camps cost too much.The notion of making dream MMA matchups come to fruition has long mesmerized fans, and unlike the current direction of boxing, MMA enthusiasts can expect superfights to materialize more regularly in the coming years. “Whatever the commission was going to take from this kid, I don’t want it,” Woodley said. After outpointing Gastelum on two judges’ scorecards in a deliberate, low-action fight, Woodley said he would refuse the 30 per cent of Gastelum’s purse - about $9,000 - that he is due under Nevada Athletic Commission rules. Gastelum (11-1) came in 9 pounds over the welterweight limit Friday, but Woodley (15-3) agreed to fight anyway. Diaz opened the fifth by crouching, sticking out his chin and saying, “Come on, one shot,” to Silva, who kept circling.Īnderson Silva lands a punch to the face of Nick Diaz. ![]() Silva kept up his steady offence and Diaz kept up his taunts in the final three rounds. Silva showed increasing confidence in his kicks, throwing enough to raise cherry-red welts on Diaz’s ribs. Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones stood up in the crowd when Silva returned to his stool, urging the former champ to breathe deeply.ĭiaz kept up the clowning in the second round, even scratching his behind at one point. Silva got into the action with a series of big shots late in the first round, while Diaz gradually got more serious. He then stretched out on the canvas, stood stock-still, and even backed all the way to the fence with a shrug. Diaz waited 20 seconds to gesture at Silva to hit him. The mercurial Diaz moved up 15 pounds for this fight, ending his semiretirement for the big-money fight he craved.Īlthough both fighters are known for entertaining antics in addition to their skills, few would have predicted the wacky first round. ![]() Source: AFPĭiaz had been away even longer, sitting out since March 2013 after back-to-back losses. He returned to MMA training last fall after accepting this fight with Diaz, the former Strikeforce welterweight champion and a fellow fan favourite.Īnderson Silva (R) kicks Nick Diaz in their middleweight bout during UFC 183 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Yet he never publicly wavered in his determination to return to fighting, even though it was against the wishes of his wife and five children. Their rematch ended with Silva’s grotesquely broken leg, which required surgery before he could even walk again. Silva had won 10 straight title defences over seven years as the UFC’s most dominant champion until Weidman shockingly stopped him in their first bout in July 2013. Tyron Woodley also won a split decision over previously unbeaten Kelvin Gastelum, who badly missed weight on Friday, and lightweight Al Iaquinta stopped veteran Joe Lauzon in the second round during the UFC’s annual Super Bowl weekend show in its hometown. “I’ll go back to my family, to my home, talk to my kids,” Silva said when asked about his future. The Associated Press scored it 49-46 for Silva. Silva, himself a world-class clown at times in his career, kept it serious and pounded out a decision, winning 50-45 on two scorecards and 49-46 on the third. I probably won every round … but these judges, they don’t like my attitude out here sometimes.” “I don’t know how he wins, on damage or what. “I felt like I was ahead most of the time,” Diaz said. Diaz stretched out flat on the canvas, backed up to the fence and even stood still with his chin exposed, daring Silva to engage. In a fight that resembled performance art at times, Diaz tormented Silva with increasingly elaborate gestures while daring him to brawl. ![]()
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