Anderson Silva is undoubtably one of the best fighters to ever grace a UFC octagon. The future Hall of Famer was instrumental in the growth of the sport. He’s been important for the last decade and helped build the company to where it is today.
As UFC 200 approaches, the biggest pay-per-view in the companies history, a black eye was beginning to form on the card. The Jon ‘Bones’ Jones versus Daniel Cormier light heavyweight championship title fight was the main event on the card. Then, Bones got into some hot water, yet again.
The UFC removed Jones after a potential anti-doping violation was found in one of his recent drug tests. Less than 48 hours before the main event of the biggest card in the companies history and one of their biggest stars was removed. Cormier was slated to also be off the card with no opponent on only two days notice. Little did the UFC know, there was a Brazilian former champion with some Light Heavyweight fighting experience ready to go.
Anderson Silva set the internet on fire after he posted an instagram photo of him being featured on the UFC 200 card. People freaked out but quickly realized anyone could add a photo to their generator and make this promotional image.
No one expected him to be ready so soon after having gallbladder surgery. The last time we saw Silva, he fought future middleweight Champion Michael Bisping in February. He was supposed to fight Uriah Hall in May but he had to pull out of the bout for surgery.
Just a few hours after the instagram post, the announcement was made official. Silva was added to the UFC 200 card to fight Daniel Cormier. It won’t be for the light heavyweight championship but Silva but he could get a chance to get back into the title conversation if he picks up a win. ‘The Spider’ is 3-0 in the UFC light heavyweight division with victories over James Irvin, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.
There you have it folks! @dc_mma vs @SpiderAnderson on #UFC200!
More to come on https://t.co/NDt313f4SE! pic.twitter.com/WZtjXYeyHP— #UFCVegas (@ufc) July 8, 2016
Cormier vs Silva!!! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/c2QYsgEb68
— Dana White (@danawhite) July 8, 2016
The following was reported on UFC.com.
Cormier did have some other potential suitors, however, with UFC President Dana White telling the media Thursday night that Dan Henderson and Gegard Mousasi were also interested in facing “DC.” But it was Silva who was the first choice, and after a whirlwind of medical tests and commission requirements, he got the fight.
“A lot of people got together and pulled this off,” said White, noting that Silva passed all his medicals with flying colors, setting the stage for a three-round non-title fight this weekend.
“I’ve gone through a lot of phases in my UFC career, and no one’s been able to beat everything that I’ve done,” Silva said. “So I really feel like I’m a blessed guy. I don’t think anyone’s going to be able to do what I’ve done. I’m just very happy to be able to come in and face a guy like Daniel Cormier.”
“I think it’s an interesting, fun fight,” White said of the matchup. “Anderson Silva is undefeated at 205, and not just undefeated, but devastatingly undefeated. Every time he’s moved up to 205, he looked even better than he did at ’85, which is crazy.”
“If I was worried, I wouldn’t be here tonight,” the Curitiba, Brazil native said. “A fight’s a fight and I’ve gone through a lot of bad things in my fights in the UFC, so anything can happen, but I’m prepared.”
But is he ready for a hungry world champion and former Olympic wrestler in Cormier?
“I think it’s going to be interesting,” Silva deadpanned. “I’m going to have to run from him a lot.”
Silva then laughed and looked at White.
“I’m joking boss,” he said. “I come to fight.”
The fight is official. Anderson Silva vs Daniel Cormier, 3 rounds at UFC 200. This might be hands down the most intriguing fight of the night if not the last year just due to the recency of placing these fighters together. Usually, fights are planned out months in advance so guys have time to train for their opponents and the styles. In Cormier’s case, he’s essentially been planning for a fight against Jon Jones for nearly two years now. This presents a whole new problem for both men. It’s a short amount of time to setup a fight and it could either be a very sloppy bout or highly contested between two guys who love to fight and don’t mind getting nasty in the ring.
