http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da2iv1bI1JM
It was one of the most hyped match-ups in the history of UFC and in the end, Anderson Silva emerged on the right side with a second round TKO of Chael Sonnen at UFC 148.
The status of both fighters and the presence of a fair bit of needle in the build-up led to an air of huge expectation ahead of the fight in the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas and Silva certainly lived up to it, ensuring his status as one of the best of all time with a clinically-executed victory.
Silva’s victory came via a TKO stoppage just short of two minutes into the second round after the Brazilian had dazed Sonnen with a punishing knee to the chest and followed it up with a flurry of punches on the floor before the referee stepped in to put an end to Sonnen’s misery.
Despite all his talk in the build-up to the fight, Sonnen was incredibly gracious afterwards, saying: “They gave me the opportunity. Nobody owes me anything.
“I’m very grateful to be here and have the chance. He’s a true champion, man. He got me with a good knee.”
Some ill-advised Sonnen comments before the fight meant that Anderson was removed from his usual laid-back self before the clash, but he was happy to let bygones be bygones afterwards, having maintained his middleweight crown.
“Chael disrespected my country, but it’s fine,” he said.
“Yeah, I have big emotions. … (But) let’s show that Brazil has manners. I want everyone to applaud Chael. If you’d like to have a barbecue at my house, I’d love to have you over for a barbecue.”
Check out Silva’s TKO in the video above.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
