UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Daniel Cornmeat
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduction
UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman. July 6, 2013. MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. International Fight Week. Anderson Silva defended the UFC Middleweight Championship for the tenth time against undefeated challenger Chris Weidman. Weidman knocked out Silva at 1:18 of round two.
The title had been Anderson Silva's since October 14, 2006. His championship run lasted 2,457 days — the longest title reign in UFC history. Silva was showboating throughout both rounds, taunting Weidman with hands lowered, feigning dizziness, and inviting punches. In round two, Weidman landed a left hook as Silva displayed this behaviour. Silva appeared unconscious before he hit the canvas. Weidman added ground strikes before the referee intervened.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: July 6, 2013 (International Fight Week)
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Main Event: Anderson Silva (c) vs. Chris Weidman — UFC MW Championship (5 rounds)
Result: Weidman def. Silva — KO (Left Hook + GnP) — R2, 1:18; SILVA’S 2,457-DAY TITLE REIGN ENDED; Silva showboating; Weidman left hook while hands down
Notable: Longest title reign in UFC history ended; MW title changed hands for first time since Oct 14 2006; Weidman 10-0; Frankie Edgar def. Oliveira UD; $50k bonuses
The Build-Up
Chris Weidman arrived at UFC 162 at 9-0, undefeated in MMA, with wins over Mark Munoz and Demian Maia in the UFC. He had stated publicly that he would win. Anderson Silva was a heavy betting favourite. Silva’s entire pre-fight narrative had been about potential retirements and future superfights. Weidman’s narrative was simple: he was going to beat the man no one thought could be beaten. Weidman trained his sparring partners to act like
Main Event
Anderson Silva (c) vs. Chris Weidman — UFC MW Championship
Anderson Silva showboated throughout round one, dropping his hands, pulling back from Weidman’s punches, and avoiding exchanges. Weidman landed some punches and shots but Silva countered effectively while performing. Round one went to
In round two, Anderson Silva continued the same display. He dropped his hands and appeared to feign dizziness after a Weidman punch. Moments later, Weidman landed a left hook flush on
Co-Main Event
Frankie Edgar vs. Charles Oliveira — Featherweight
Edgar won by unanimous decision over three rounds, controlling the fight with wrestling and crisp counter-punching. It was a clean performance for Edgar as he repositioned himself in the FW rankings.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
Norman Parke def. Kazuki Tokudome — Decision — R3 — LW
Brian Melancon def. Seth Baczynski — TKO — R? — WW
Gabriel Gonzaga def. Dave Herman — TKO — R? — HW
Edson Barboza def. Rafaello Oliveira — Decision — R3 — LW
Mike Pierce def. Erick Silva — Decision — R3 — WW
Main Card
Andrew Craig def. Chris Leben — Decision — R3 — MW
Cub Swanson def. Dennis Siver — TKO — R? — FW
Tim Kennedy def. Roger Gracie — Decision — R3 — MW
Mark Munoz def. Tim Boetsch — Decision — R3 — MW
Frankie Edgar def. Charles Oliveira — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — FW; Co-Main
UFC MW Championship (5 rounds) — Main Event
Chris Weidman def. Anderson Silva — KO (Left Hook + GnP) — R2, 1:18 — 2,457-day title reign ENDED; MW champion changes hands for first time since Oct 14, 2006; KO Night ($50k to Weidman)
Bonuses & Awards
KO of the Night: Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva — $50,000 to Weidman.
Fight/Performance Bonuses: Various — $50,000 per recipient.
Records & Milestones
Anderson Silva — title reign of 2,457 days; the longest championship run in UFC history across all weight classes; the record still stands (as of 2013).
MW title changed hands for the first time since October 14, 2006 — the date Silva first won the belt by defeating Rich Franklin. Seven years elapsed between the first and second MW title change.
Chris Weidman — at 10-0 entering the fight, the fewest MMA bouts of any active male UFC champion; 29 years old.
Anderson Silva — first career KO loss; had never been knocked out in 33 professional MMA fights before UFC 162.
Legacy & Impact
UFC 162’s main event occupies a specific category: the fight where the unbeatable was beaten, and the method of the finish made it impossible to attribute to chance alone. Anderson Silva was not caught clean by a superior striker acting within normal parameters. He was showboating with his hands down, performing the same routine that had gone unpunished throughout his title reign, and Weidman had trained specifically to exploit it. The result did not require asterisks. It was MMA’s clearest lesson about the ceiling of stylistic arrogance.
Weidman’s post-fight statement distilled everything: ‘We prepared for all that stuff. We had guys doing all kinds of things in the gym. I was ready for it. It pisses me off when someone does that to me.’ Preparation met the performance that no opponent had ever before capitalised on.
FAQ
How long had Anderson Silva's title reign lasted before UFC 162?
Silva had held the UFC MW Championship since October 14, 2006, when he defeated Rich Franklin by first-round TKO. His reign lasted 2,457 days before Weidman ended it at UFC 162 on July 6, 2013.
Why was Anderson Silva showboating during the fight?
Showboating and taunting were a defining element of Silva's fighting style throughout his title reign. He regularly dropped his hands, invited opponents to punch him, and demonstrated his reflexes. No opponent had previously capitalised on it at the title level.
Did Weidman plan for Silva's showboating at UFC 162?
Yes. Weidman had training partners mimic Silva's taunting behaviour during camp. He said post-fight: 'We prepared for all that stuff. We had guys doing all kinds of things in the gym. I was ready for it.'
Was Silva actually unconscious when he fell at UFC 162?
Silva appeared to be unconscious when Weidman's left hook landed, before he reached the canvas. The knockout was ruled a KO, not a TKO, reflecting the severity and finality of the finish.
Was a rematch made after UFC 162?
Yes. Weidman vs. Silva 2 was made for UFC 168 in December 2013. Silva broke his leg when Weidman checked his kick in round two, ending the fight via TKO and raising further questions about legacy and circumstance.
References
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