It happened. It actually happened.
Shockwaves were sent through the sports world early Sunday morning as MMA superstar Anderson Silva — widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all-time, never having lost in his seven-year UFC career — was knocked out in stunning fashion by Chris Weidman in the main event of UFC 162.
Weidman was able to take Silva down early, land some ground-and-pound and attempt some submissions, but Silva got back to his feet and eventually began doing what he does best.
The Brazilian came out in round two with his hands down, daring his opponent to exchange with him on the feet, which is something he has done so often in his UFC career.
However, cockiness finally caught up to Silva and seconds after pretending to be hurt by a Weidman punch, the undefeated New Yorker landed a shot that dropped Silva. A few more follow-up punches and Weidman is now the UFC middleweight champion.
There was no shortage of reaction and opinions flying around the Twitterverse seconds, minutes and hours after the stunning finishing blows landed.
And it didn’t take long for middleweight contenders to call out the new champ either.
Vitor Belfort, who had been pining for a crack at the winner of the UFC 162 main event priory to what happened, sent a few tweets out expressing his desire for another title shot.
Another vocal 185-pounder expressed an interest in fighting the new champ, as Michael Bisping still searches for a title shot that has eluded him his entire UFC career.
More than anything, though, fans and fighters alike were in shock when Silva went down. Despite the fact many were predicting Weidman would pull off the upset, virtually no one thought it would unfold the way it did.
Ultimately it was Silva’s showboating that cost him the fight and many pointed out that it’s something all fighters need to be aware of.
Even though he came out on the losing end and some were critical of his performance there were many who sent thanks and positive vibes Silva’s way.
Though the main storyline of the night was Silva losing for the first time in the Octagon — and losing by knockout for the first time in his 16-year career — overshadowed was the fact there is a new UFC champion.
Perhaps no one was happier for Weidman than a former champ himself.
Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra, one of Weidman’s teammates and mentors, had been hyping his pupil up as the future champion even before Weidman was even in the UFC.
Here is some more praise for Weidman.
And finally, a word from the new champ.
