The Sunday Junkie: July 7 edition

Contributors to The Sunday Junkie didn’t really have much to talk about this week.

OK. That, of course, is an outright lie. The Sunday Junkie, MMAjunkie.com’s weekly reader-feedback feature, got dozens of submissions on Chris Weidman‘s upset of longstanding middleweight champion Anderson Silva – and a few that had nothing to do with that fight.

This week’s winner, Ohio’s Vance Weeks, would love to see credit given where it’s due: to new champ Weidman, rather than everyone talking about Silva’s antics during the fight, even if they may have led directly to his loss.

For his winning entry, Weeks wins a free one-year subscription to “Fighters Only” magazine, the world’s leading MMA and lifestyle magazine.

Want to submit to next week’s edition of The Sunday Junkie? Scroll to the bottom of the page for instructions.

Also, as a reminder, please be sure to include your hometown and stick within the 150-word limit (and include your submission in the body of an email, not in an attachment). Many quality submissions this week didn’t meet those minimum guidelines and couldn’t be considered for publication.

(Pictured: Chris Weidman)

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MORE RESPECT SHOULD BE PAID TO THE NEW CHAMP

All the credit for Chris Weidman’s victory seemed to immediately be given to Anderson Silva’s disrespectful antics during their matchup. But isn’t that what we expect to see from Anderson in every fight, and normally say that no one else can get away with it? Credit needs to be given to Chris Weidman’s mental makeup as he didn’t allow either the stigma or antics of Silva to influence him as it has so many fighters before him. Rather than young fighters learning what not to do from watching Silva, they should learn from the focus and discipline of Weidman. Weidman’s humility, respect and determination are what should be celebrated about MMA and should not be lost in the midst of Anderson’s antics.

Vance Z. Weeks
Brewster, Ohio

ANDERSON SILVA SOLIDIFIED HIS LEGACY

Last night at UFC 162, Anderson Silva got caught clowning, and in so doing he solidified himself as the greatest champion in UFC history. Silva went out fighting his way because he wasn’t scared to dance and put his hands down, not because he was outmanned. At least that is how it will be remembered as the years pass. When other great champions lose their belts, whispers will emerge: “Silva would have never lost the belt if he ‘tried.’” His post-fight comments only advanced this possibility. Silva didn’t seem to care, seemed ready to move on with his career. To his fans, Silva’s loss will eventually become a kind of choice, an indifference to losing the belt driven by a decision to move on with his career. July 6 was Chris Weidman’s night, but ultimately may have meant more for Anderson Silva’s legacy.

Matt Richards
Washington, W.V.

ANDERSON DID IT HIS WAY

It’s a funny thing, sports. The last time I felt as shocked as I did last night was when Roy Jones Jr., who ironically was in attendance last night, was knocked out for the first time nine years ago. The one thing that struck me this morning was that Anderson, like all the other greats in sports, did things his way. As the Internet is rampant with conspiracy theories, the fact of the matter is that Anderson did things his way, and toyed with the wrong guy Saturday night. Does this tarnish his legacy? Absolutely not. He is arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. All great things come to an end. Let us not forget the enigma of “The Spider.” Whether being booed or applauded, he did things on his terms and gave us a lifetime of memories in the octagon. 

Richard Chong
Woodbridge. Va. 

RAY LONGO AND Matt Serra DO IT AGAIN

The team behind the largest upset in MMA history, the defeat of George St-Pierre in 2007 at UFC 69 by the heavy hands of Matt Serra, have done it again with their prodigy, Chris Weidman. While Weidman’s knockout win of Anderson Silva on Saturday night was perhaps less of an upset, and under unusual circumstances (Anderson’s clowning), with Serra, St-Pierre had also gotten into a rhythm of slowly breaking down Serra and taking him lightly. The Serra-Longo fight team has finally crowned its first champion, and what a terrific fighter Chris Weidman is. Hat’s off to Ray Longo for building up the striking ability, confidence, and most importantly perseverance of Chris Weidman. I envision a steady stream of amateur wrestlers heading up to New York state in the near future.

Gwyn Clay
Toronto

AFTER MANY HIGHLIGHT REELS, SILVA NOW ON OTHER END

When Anderson Silva was knocked out by Chris Weidman last night, to say it was momentous would be an understatement. To say you saw it playing out that way is more complicated, however. Weidman’s victory over Silva is the combination of many unrelated but intersecting realities. I will point out a few. 1. Weidman is a dangerous wrestler/jiu-jitsu hybrid fighter in the vein of Jon Jones (if such a comparison is not premature) and has quickly developed an underrated striking game. 2. Silva plays with opponents regardless of their relative skill and/or the potential for personal harm. 3. Silva continued to display the devil-may-care attitude that has defined his career and his highlight reels. The result? This time he ended up on the wrong end of one.

Lucas “Tortuga” Slater
Lawrence, Kan.

SILVA SHOULD HANG THEM UP

I have waited about four years to experience what we saw last night. Silva and his showboating finally got the best of him. He didn’t respect Chris Weidman and got caught. I was so happy to finally see someone put him away, but afterwards I thought to myself, what now? Silva IS the GOAT – he beat everyone who he fought, but what now? Reclaiming the title you held onto for so long would prove nothing. Yes, you avenge your only loss in the cage, but with all superfight talk off the table, Silva should just hang it up. He has nothing to prove. Accept your defeat and hang up your UFC gloves. You are the greatest ever and everyone knows that.

Jon Goodtwinkle
Jackson, Mich.

THE ANDERSON SILVA SHOW

At the end of the first round, Anderson Silva got fired up. This usually means a brilliant show of skill and violence is about to start. Despite a good opening round, Chris Weidman didn’t look confident going back to his corner. The Spider was coming out to play. His movement looked good, he was pressing forward, showing no respect for Weidman’s abilities and firing off leg kicks. Then Weidman changed the script. After UFC 162, Silva has now been on opposite ends of two of the most embarrassing knockouts in history. Like Forrest Griffin, Weidman charged forward looking for the kill. Unlike UFC 101, Silva did not step back and counter or slip under any punches. He planted his feet, leaned back and exposed his chin. Now the UFC’s pound-for-pound king looks like the court jester.

Rob Lja
Newfoundland, Canada

A LOSS MIGHT BE WHAT ANDERSON NEEDED

For a fighter who started his UFC career with 16 straight wins, it seemed lately that Anderson had a lack of motivation. Prior to his loss to Chris Weidman, what did Silva really have left to prove? After all he is/was considered by many as the greatest of all time. But now that he’s finally lost in the octagon he’s got all of the motivation he needs – not only to get his belt back but to show that he still is the greatest of all time. I expect “The Spider” to come back stronger and hungrier than we’ve ever seen him.

George Lannoo
Chesterfield, Mich.

Cub Swanson SAID IT BEST

When it comes to who gets the next title shot, Cub Swanson said it best when he said that if he gets the fans behind him it doesn’t matter what the rankings say. Swanson “believes” that Dana does a good job of listening to the fans and giving fans what they want, so as long as he has their support, he’ll be next in line for a shot at Aldo’s belt. Swanson has looked awesome in his last several fights and I’d like to see him get a rematch with Aldo, though not necessarily without having to at least go through Chad Mendes first. The disturbing thing is that fighters are now getting the fights they want based on fan appeal, technological savvy, and sometimes even by bugging Dana until they get what they want. If this continues we can do away with both Joe Silva and the ranking system.

Joshua Garriott
Westerville, Ohio

NSAC SHOULDN’T HAVE HAD WINSLOW REFFING GONZAGA-HERMAN

As UFC commentator Joe Rogan pointed out following Gabriel Gonzaga‘s lightning-fast knockout win over fellow heavyweight Dave Herman, it seemed negligent and potentially dangerous to have female referee Kim Winslow overseeing the action between two men who weighed a combined 500 pounds. I actually laughed when she was introduced, but there was nothing funny about Winslow clearly having trouble rescuing Herman from further punishment at the fight’s conclusion. Luckily for Herman, Gonzaga had enough awareness and self control to realize the fight was over. In a different situation, this oversight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission could have been disastrous.

“Slampage”
Long Beach, Calif.

FIGHTERS’ PAY IN PERSPECTIVE

Over the past few months, some fighters have been airing their legitimate gripes about fighters’ pay, particularly with the UFC. As valid as his or her views are, every fighter should put this in perspective. UFC singlehandedly made it where they can complain about pay. How quick one forgets the pay fighters use to get. UFC is the main reason why fighters can have a career fighting. As a fighter, how much he makes is strictly up to the fighter. The sport is still growing. A fighter should always keep in mind they are in the fighting business, which means you fight and handle your business. You are in business for yourself. We live in a capitalistic society, so capitalize on the situation. Change your perspective and it might change the numbers on your check

Jorde Hosang
Miami

Miesha Tate THE FEMALE CHAEL?

So, getting off the topic of this weekend’s PPV event, another has recently just been announced. UFC 168 headliner will be a title match between the ever-popular Miss Ronda Rousey and her heated rival, Miesha Tate. The bad blood between the two is evident, and we’ll get to see all the action this upcoming season of “TUF.” However, am I the only one feeling this is reminiscent of last season’s “TUF,” where Henderson was injured and “The American Gangster,” Chael Sonnen, stepped in on his behalf? Or rather, according to Hendo, was given the opportunity instead of himself, who was next in line? It seems rivalries and bad blood are given priority over contenders as people that have earned their claim to title shots. Sara McMann would have been more appropriate, especially with the result of Tate/Rousey l. It’s a shame that words outsell the worthiness of up-and-coming talent who deserve their spots at the top.

Joshua “Massacre” Morales
Coram, N.Y.

SILVA’S ANTICS TOOK THE SUPERFIGHTS OFF THE TABLE

There go the superfights! Anderson Silva’s arrogance cost him and Dana serious paydays with last night’s performance. There is one way for superfights to still happen: Silva rematches and demolishes Weidman. Silva, though, has to actually fight, not pay homage to one spectator in Roy Jones Jr. What would have happened if the Silva that fought Leben, Franklin, and Vitor showed up? Occasional guard drops to bait opponents, why not, but no antics beyond that. Another defeat? Perhaps, but there would have been a fight. Last night wasn’t history, it was farce. Silva should treat his fights with more respect. After all, it’s mixed martial arts, not WWE. Hang out with Lesnar if he wants to be an entertainer. I’d have preferred heartbreak with Silva knocked out after an actual fight. Mr. Silva might actually feel the same way now.

J.D. Hernandez
Los Angeles

WEIDMAN: NEW CHAMP, OR BIGGEST LOSER OF UFC 162?

After witnessing the first loss of middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva’s UFC career, many are already beginning to wonder if Chris Weidman can be considered the true champion. In the post-fight press conference, reporters pointed out that fans felt cheated and that the fight did little to prove who the better fighter was due to the careless taunting from Silva. Many will also argue that the champ had Weidman mentally broken and that another highlight win was imminent. The future of a rematch remains in the hands of Silva and Chris Weidman will have a “fluke” or “what-if” victory on his hands until another win over Silva proves otherwise. Is Chris Weidman the middleweight champion or currently the biggest loser of UFC 162?

Andrew Antillon
Dallas

WOULD ANDERSON HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY?

At UFC 162, the unthinkable happened: Anderson Silva finally relinquished his middleweight title. Silva’s UFC career has seen phenomenal brilliance plus a bit of oddity thrown into the mix to provide a riddle that no fighter had been able to solve. Often seen as an enigma, it was only fitting that when he did finally lose it would be in a fashion that was as enigmatic as it was shocking. Hands down, play acting as he had done many times before, he was caught and knocked cold by Weidman. Silva has amazed us with his individuality in victory – that he should do the same in defeat should be of no surprise. If the rematch doesn’t happen, there will always be those fans who will wonder what would have happened if Silva had taken Weidman more seriously. How fitting that Silva leaves us with one final riddle.

Keith Stevens
Bristol, England

SILVA’S ANTICS NOT ABOUT COCKINESS

Any way you slice it, Saturday night will go down as one of the most historic nights in UFC history. Of course, many fans, fighters and pundits alike are criticizing Silva for letting his condescending style get to him, as Weidman became the one to finally make Silva pay for dancing around the octagon with his hands at his waist. But after hearing Silva’s post-fight interview and seeing his humble demeanor, I thought differently. He didn’t seem disappointed or surprised about losing, and spoke as if Weidman were always the better fighter and was the champion all along. To me, his behavior between rounds resembled a fighter who had prescience about what was to come, and was more than happy to pass the torch. Thus, Silva showboated as much as he could, knowing that he was stepping into the octagon as the UFC middleweight champion for the last time.

Hugh Curtis
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

SILVA DIDN’T WANT TO WIN

UFC 162, Chris Weidman is crowned a new champion. He talks about accomplishing his goal of beating anderson silva. However, it is clear to everyone that isn’t some A. Silva hater that he beat himself – Weidman didn’t beat Anderson Silva. Two minutes into the first round, Weidman was exhausted. Silva never attempted to finish. Silva has been disrespectful before, but this wasn’t that. This was a man who no longer desired to be a champion – which he stated in his post-fight speech. Make no mistake, Chris Weidman is no champion and will never defend it successfully with no gas tank.

Ryan “Beatdown” Brown Sr.
Portland

REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED HUNGRY

Chris Weidman did what no one else has been able to do, which is give Anderson Silva the loss he wanted. Silva has been daring opponents to finish him in ways that showed his contempt for anyone brave/unlucky enough to face him. He begged to be challenged and danced on a tightrope, daring someone to push him. The experience of past opponents made them wait in the wings until Anderson engaged them, but the young and hungry Weidman didn’t know he shouldn’t rush in and finished the best striker in MMA history. Those before him owe him their lunch money.

Aaron G.
Meridian, Idaho

ANDERSON SILVA: A TRAGIC HERO (AND NOT)

I’d like to think that, somewhere, Shakespeare is smiling. Like Hamlet, MacBeth, and countless of other Shakespearean protagonists, Anderson Silva was the subject of a tragedy in the literary sense – the fall of a man due to a tragic flaw. Anderson’s tragic flaw was his propensity to showboat, which ultimately took the belt from him in the form of a Weidman left hand. In addition to the tragic elements of Anderson’s loss to Chris Weidman, Shakespeare (a fan of Greek mythology) would be even more pleased to know that the loss was caused by hubris, or arrogance from an overestimation of one’s abilities. Because even though Anderson Silva will undoubtedly be known as one of the best of all time, he (like GSP did when he fought Matt Serra) forgot that mixed martial arts is unpredictable. While Shakespeare killed off his tragic heroes, Anderson Silva is not going anywhere soon.

Schuyler Stoller
Laguna Niguel, Calif.

WHERE DOES SILVA GO FROM HERE?

UFC 162 will be a moment in history that everyone watching will remember where they were when they saw Silva  throw away his legacy for acting like a clown.  We have all seen him do it before and thought to ourselves, “One day, someone is going to make him pay for acting like that.” I don’t think anyone actually believed it, though. Weidman did say that he was going to shock the world. And shock the world he did. Weidman beat Silva fair and square, and no one can take that away from him. Silva is a hard guy to figure out, and we may never know whether it was nerves or something else that made him take his antics to another level with this fight. It will be interesting to see what happens from here, since he has said he does not want a rematch.

E. “Maddog10851? Maldonado
Spokane, Wash.

EVERYTHING LEADING UP TO UFC 162 WAS CONJECTURE

Well, it’s the end of an era.  No matter what happens in the rematch, Anderson Silva’s (until now) untainted reign is over. And in the true bandwagon fashion of the MMA universe, people from all corners of the MMA community will all shout a collective “I told you so!” Fans (and even some fighters) will claim they knew that this was going to happen and that it was all but staring us in the face.  Despite that, no one – NO ONE – could have predicted Weidman by second-round KO. Those who had Weidman winning beforehand saw him implementing Sonnen’s pressure game plan and finishing what Chael couldn’t, or perhaps, MAYBE submitting him. But no one had Silva getting outstruck and knocked out, no matter how much they will claim they saw it coming. This is MMA, and by its multi-faceted nature, it has, and always will be, unpredictable.

Joshua Leventhal
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

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