It happened just like that. Jon “Bones” Jones failed a drug test and was out of UFC 200 tomorrow night. But just as unlikely was the new opponent, a 41 year old former UFC champion at a lighter weight who just two months ago had gall bladder surgery. Yes, you guessed it! Anderson Silva.
One must commend the speed that the UFC and Silva attained in completing all medical tests and requirements of the commission.
“A lot of people got together and pulled this off,”
Silva admitted with glee.
Silva, a UFC legend, made his name as the longest reigning champion in the history of the UFC as Middleweight champion. But he has struggled since and though this may seem like a good big man vs good small man scenario, Dana White insists its not.
“Anderson Silva is undefeated at 205, and not just undefeated, but devastatingly undefeated,”
Dana pointed out.
The three-round non-title match between the wrestling monster and current UFC Light-Heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier and a hungry former champ and Muay Thai southpaw fighter like Silva is intriguing. But will it be a return to glories past or the age-old story of a champion staying one fight too long?
“A fight’s a fight and I’ve gone through a lot of bad things in my UFC fights,”
Silva recalled,
“Anything can happen, but I’m prepared.”
Anderson Silva brings something to this match at this late hour which should translate to more buys, a name. People will be intriqued enough to see if Silva can provide just one more surprise.
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