![Nike Junior Dos Santos Official UFC 160 Walkout T-Shirt [Blue]](http://www.ufcstore.com/img/product/resized/101/00452105-619101_catl_200.jpg?k=ec00f728&pid=452105&s=catl&sn=ufcstore)
Stepping in on four weeks’ notice to save Saturday’s injury-ravaged UFC 153 event at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Anderson Silva moved up to the light heavyweight division because he said he owed Brazil a fight. He also gave them a knockout, stopping Stephan Bonnar in the first round after another performance worthy of a fighter considered to be not just the best in the world, but possibly the best of all-time. It’s an assessment “The Spider” doesn’t necessarily agree with.
“I’m not the best,” said Silva, the longtime middleweight champion who is also 3-0 at 205 pounds. “I just believe that I can do things that people think are impossible.”
Bonnar raced out of his corner at the bell, and while he didn’t land with his first flurry, a slip by Silva allowed him to get the middleweight champ to the fence and keep him there for a bit. Silva refused to give up the takedown, and despite eating some short strikes, Silva soon turned the tables, pushing Bonnar to the fence and then breaking loose. Silva then stepped backward to the fence, daring Bonnar to attack, and the former TUF finalist did, missing with a spinning back kick and a punch upstairs. Silva then let Bonnar attack, but his speed and defense was too much for the Indiana native, and after tripping Bonnar to the mat, “The Spider” swarmed, dropping his foe with a flush knee to the stomach. Bonnar immediately covered up, but the follow-up barrage was too much for him to recover from, and referee Marc Goddard halted the bout at 4:40 of the opening round.
With the win, the 37-year-old Silva improves to 33-4; the 35-year-old Bonnar, who was stopped by something other than cuts for the first time in his career, falls to 17-8.
Watch the UFC 153 replay
Upset of the Century? Silva Says No - UFC 153 Main Event Results
Read on for UFC 153 main event results...
Saturday, May 25
7pm/10pm
PTET
Las Vegas, Nevada
Media
Recent
Popular
Heavy hitter Junior Dos Santos has blasted his way through the ranks, and the next person in his way is the powerfully devastating BJJ veteran Gabriel Gonzaga.
Mar 21, 2010
Stefan Struve’s size, ever-evolving skills, and talent have made him one of the top heavyweight contenders. Entering this fight with a 4-fight winning streak a win over knockout artist Mark Hunt could make or break his title hopes.
Mar 2, 2013
UFC 160 Ultimate Media Day at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on May 23, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photos by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
May 23, 2013
Four sluggers from two weight classes talk about their potential for KOs, title shots and bonus money: Junior dos Santos faces Mark Hunt at heavyweight while Donald Cerrone fights KJ Noons at lightweight.
May 23, 2013
N. Diaz vs. R. Lawler, N. Diaz vs. K. Oishi, and D. Sanchez vs. B. Gassaway are featured in this episode of UFC Unleashed.
Oct 31, 2005
UFC commentators Kenny Florian and Joe Rogan preview the two heavyweight bouts atop the UFC 160 fight card: Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva and Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt.
May 3, 2013
From pre-gaming to post-fight interviews, get an all-access look at the action inside Newark's Prudential Center for UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen.
Apr 28, 2013
See some of the fastest fight finishes in UFC history!
Jul 21, 2011
Comments