Video: Watch Anderson Silva's boisterous arena entrance (even though he wasn't fighting)

Wondering if UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is still a top star, especially in his native Brazil? The MMA great made it clear this past weekend at UFC 179.

At Saturday’s event at Maracanazinho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted as Silva emerged from backstage – simply to walk to his cageside seats to watch the pay-per-view card.

Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) has been out of action since suffering a broken leg in a December 2013 loss to middleweight champ Chris Weidman. Now recovered, the 38-year-old is slated to fight former Strikeforce champ and UFC vet Nick Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) in the headliner of UFC 183 on Jan. 31.

Silva, who had a UFC-record seven-year title reign from 2006-2013, is still one of the sport’s most prominent names, which was evident at UFC 179. While UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo was the night’s big star following a title defense and victory over fellow headliner Chad Mendes, Silva’s presence was obvious.

First, he provided one of the night’s more emotional moments when he mended fences with former teammate Fabio Maldonado and celebrated his win with a cage-top embrace. Then, when Phil Davis defeated Glover Teixeira in UFC 179’s co-headliner, the light heavyweight called out Silva for a potential future fight.

It’s no wonder why Silva kicked off a recent UFC 183 promotional tour back home in Brazil, where he promised fans he’ll be back to his old self.

“I believe on fight night, I will be 100 percent,” Silva said.

For complete coverage of UFC 179, check out the UFC Events section of the site.