Anderson Silva arguably should have walked out of London in February with a victory over Michael Bisping, but his loss in that fight led to Bisping getting tapped to step in for a Middleweight Title shot at UFC 199. Now that Bisping’s pulled off the even bigger upset over Luke Rockhold, Silva’s calling for a rematch.
However, the former long-reigning champion doesn’t expect to get that fight, because he believes the new UFC Middleweight Champion to be “afraid” to fight him again.
Here’s Silva’s take on the situation via Instagram on Monday:
“Well, I could give you million reasons to make the fight against Bisping happen, but the truth is that he is afraid. I’m not going to compare myself to others even mention someone else, but in my perspective I believe I have the right to a fight with him once again, because I have won London’s fight and a rematch was promised. However, as he was injured by me during the fight, he wouldn’t be prepared to fight too soon, then he was ready to replace someone, but not to face me in Brazil, right? You know I lived an unexpected situation having a surgery, but if it wasn’t happened I could fight in Brazil. So, I think it’s time to show that I’m serious, I’ve never asked for a rematch with no adversary, but I do want to have an opportunity of a fight with Bisping, I deserve that for everything I have achieve into the organization saving last time fights’ events even in upper categories, fighting injured, broke a leg. I have proved why I am the best in world in this sport and I humbly say that none of my adversaries who supposedly defeated me have achieved or will my actions into the organization. Undoubtedly, I believe this rematch will be the best step for UFC and Dana is aware of it, because numbers does tell and as we always have to stand by the group let it be from both sides. If I could help him to feel more confident and less afraid I would agree to fight him in his hometown, Manchester.”
The UFC has yet to make a decision on Bisping’s next opponent, but Silva’s now thrown his name into the mix as one of those potential options.
Penick’s Analysis: Silva should have won that first fight, as the fight should have been stopped when he landed the flying knee at the end of the third round. Of course, it’s on him that he failed to fully follow up in the fourth or fifth rounds of that fight, and his calls for a rematch hold less weight with Bisping now holding the title. His two losses to Chris Weidman – even if the second is chalked up to injury alone – have him simply down the line in the pecking order. Luke Rockhold legitimately beat Bisping in their first fight and isn’t necessarily going to get his rematch, so Silva can’t actually believe he’s going to be the first to challenge for Bisping’s title. The rematch could happen down the line, but Silva’s frankly got more to do before he’s considered for a title fight again.
[Photo (c) Jayne Kamin-Oncea via USA Today Sports]
Attention iPhone/iPad and Android users, if you’ve enjoyed our app in the past and followed us there, or if you’ve never checked it out, make sure to update to the latest version in the Apple store and/or Google Play store. We’ve launched a new look for the app, in line with our recent desktop overhaul. Make sure to check it out!
For current App users, swipe right to view next article, swipe left to view previous article.
Leave a Reply