UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman – A Closer Look

This summer, an undefeated underdog sets his sights on claiming the greatest price in his division; UFC gold. While the defending champ aims to continue reigning as the greatest and most successful 185-pound fighter to ever do battle inside the UFC cage. As the heat rises throughout the country, one place for a possible meltdown will be the MGM Grand for the UFC 162 main event this weekend if the upset happens and one of the best MMA fighters ever falls to a star on the rise. Inside a season riddled with box office blockbusters the title match involving Anderson Silva’s ongoing pursuit of achieving once perceived as unimaginable records carries its own noteworthy attraction amongst fast cars, star treks and men of steel. Here is a closer look at the headliner from Vegas & what to expect this saturday.

UFC middleweight champion, Anderson “The Spider” Silva (33-4), has yet to lose since his first Octagon battle in 2006, putting together an amazing 16-fight win streak, currently an active UFC record. The brilliant Brazilian’s war path includes KO’s of former UFC title holders: Rich Franklin, Forest Griffin and Vitor Belfort, as well as a submission over ex-Pride Fighting Championship 2-division belt holder, Dan Henderson. As of late, Silva’s triumphs have only increased in violence. His recent UFC record-setting 10 consecutive title defenses have only gone to the judges on 2 occasions. Exactly one year ago in Las Vegas at UFC 148, “The Spider” defended his crown via 2nd round TKO of arch-nemesis, Chael Sonnen. To cap off 2012, Anderson moved up to light heavyweight this past October for only the third time in his entire career taking out Stephan Bonnar by 1st round TKO. Bonnar had never been finished by an opponent in his respected 11-year long MMA run, after the loss to Silva, the American announced his UFC retirement.

Having never lost as a professional, “All-American” Chris Weidman (9-0), enters the cage putting his perfect record on the line. The 2-time Division 1 All-American debuted in the UFC in 2011 with a unanimous decision over dangerous striker, Alessio Sakara. A blue collar worker at heart, Weidman secured two more wins, both via submission before the year ended fueling his developing star power. The first of the triumphs came in the form of a 1st round guillotine choke finish at UFC 133 in june, followed by a 1st round brabo choke finish at UFC 139 in November. To kick off 2012, the Brazilian Jiujitsu brown belt picked up a unanimous decision victory over top-ranked contender, Demian Maia. Most recently this past July, the New Yorker headlined his first ever UFC event on Fuel, destroying mark Munoz inside of the 1st round using a perfectly timed counter elbow strike and follow up punches.

Just a couple of nights after people celebrate American independence, a talented New Yorker plans to defend his honor in his backyard with the sole purpose of bringing the UFC middleweight crown back to the east coast. However, “All-American” Weidman’s task is not only to pull of the upset win of the year but let the champion know that regarding his title reign, this is the end. Nonetheless, “The Spider” Silva’s unquestionable supremacy has out shined every other title holder’s legacies sending their accomplishments into darkness many a time. Does Silva easily handle another threat to his throne with a vintage fast and furious demolition of an over matched challenger this weekend? Or can Chris Weidman unseat the 185 lb division ruler by turning the UFC 162 main event into world war z? We’ll find out soon as the UFC middle weight title is on the line for the UFC 162 main event live from the MGM Grand this saturday when the champion, Anderson Silva, defends against challenger, Chris Weidman.