Weidman Details Silva Rivalry Ahead Of ‘Spider’s’ Final Fight

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Anderson Silva will make his final walk to the Octagon tomorrow night (Sat., Oct. 31, 2020) at UFC Vegas 12 when he takes on Uriah Hall in the main event. It will mark the end of one of the most infamous UFC careers of all time, whether or not “Spider” ends up weaving his web in another promotion.

As one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport all eyes will be on Silva when he walks to the Octagon one final time this weekend in “Sin City.” It’s a shame that Silva won’t be able to compete in front of fans for his UFC swan song, but at least the Brazilian legend has already left his mark on the sport.

Whether it’s hardcore fans, casual viewers, past opponents, or fellow members of the UFC roster, everyone seems to have their own special story about Silva. This includes former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, who ended Silva’s 185-pound title reign back in 2013 before beating him in a rematch just five months later.

Weidman, who remains the only fighter to finish Silva inside of the Octagon with punches, has both good and bad memories about his rivalry with “Spider.”

“One of the good moments, I remember him, we did this huge signing after the first fight going into the second one in New York City,” Weidman told Submission Radio. “The lines were wrapped about the building multiple times, it was just crazy. And I had my son CJ, who is here, and he was with me, and he might have been, well, I guess, one. Yeah, because this is 2013. And Anderson Silva came over to my table, we were talking, I think my dad might have been there, my wife and my son and he. I’m pretty sure he took a picture with him.”

On the flip side, Weidman also remembers a moment in time in which Silva mocked him before a fight.

“Some of the negative memories other than fighting, but some of the backstage stuff is one that Longo can’t stand him for. Matt (Serra) and they all witnessed it, but before my first fight with him in the backstage heading out to the weigh-ins, I was getting ready to walk out, and Longo, he was sitting down somewhere. He was supposed to be standing next to me, because you and one cornermen are supposed to be getting ready to walk out for the weigh-ins. And Longo was sitting down somewhere, so I was by myself on the line. And apparently he (Anderson) came behind me and started mocking me and dancing behind me with his full crew. He had like 15 guys, 15 Brazilians, and I was by myself, and I didn’t really realize, but apparently Matt and Ray and them all noticed and they were like, ‘Yo, F this guy, yeah, tomorrow you’re gonna put him in his place’. So, I just thought that was a piece of dirt move and bully maneuver to be doing that behind me. But whatever, I fought him twice.”

While Weidman is a fan of Silva and respects his overall work of art, “All American” doesn’t believe the former UFC champion will do enough to get past Hall this weekend at UFC Vegas 12. Silva may try to pull off some magic to create one final display of greatness, but “Prime Time” is the younger, stronger, and faster fighter.

“He’s had an amazing career, and I mean, he hasn’t been looking bad in his last few fights,” said Weidman of Silva. “He had a close fight with Israel Adesanya. If I had to put all my money on who wins this fight, I think Uriah Hall has more interest in winning than Anderson Silva. I think Anderson Silva wants to put on a show and do something awesome and put on a good fight, and I think Uriah Hall has interest in that as well, but I think he would love to get a win over Anderson Silva.”

Do you agree with Weidman? Will Silva ultimately come up short in his final trip to the Octagon?

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 12 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 7 p.m. ET.