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With UFC 168's grisly action behind us, there seems to be no shortage of fans believing we've seen the last of former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Silva suffered a gruesome leg injury Saturday night during the second round of his co-main event championship bout with Chris Weidman at UFC 168. Silva was stretchered and carried out of the Octagon before being rushed into surgery in Las Vegas. In step with causal witnesses to Silva' s catastrophic leg injury, a bevy of pros look to be of the same opinion.
Fighting? yes. Career wise? skies the limit"@Jamesrkobird: @JonnyBones jon do you think it the end for silva?"
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 29, 2013
Have some big shoes to fill but ima take this sport to new heights!!! Forever will be fans of #GSP @SpiderAnderson
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 29, 2013
@SpiderAnderson will never be the same.
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) December 29, 2013
Sad to see silva go out like that. Thanks for all the great fights champ.
— Brandon Thatch (@RUKUSMMA303) December 29, 2013
My support goes out to Anderson, u wouldn't wish that to your worst enemy.
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) December 29, 2013
It's a shame what happened to Anderson. A very dramatic end to a fantastic career, Thank you @SpiderAnderson for all the inspiration. @ufc
— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) December 29, 2013
I kinda love @ChrisWeidmanUFC but I'm cranky with him for doing that to Anderson's leg. I'm going to have nightmares. Nightmares.
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) December 29, 2013
Very upset that the fight ended that way. #sad
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) December 29, 2013
@SpiderAnderson was a great champion&history will reflect that. I hope he heals 100% I don't wish that on NE1, but it @ChrisWeidmanUFC time.
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) December 29, 2013
According to a report from the UFC's orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Sanders, Silva's procedure included work to repair a damaged left tibia and fibula. With no second surgery needed as of now, Dr. Sanders claims comparable injuries may require a recovery time anywhere from three to six months. With fighters suffering ligament damage that can sideline them nearly a year at a time, does the prognosis change your opinion of Silva's possible return to MMA?
5 MUST-READ STORIES
UFC 168 aftermath. Dave Doyle recaps Rousey vs Tate, Anderson's injury, the event's winners and losers and more.
Statement. The UFC's official release regarding Silva's emergency surgery.
Out of surgery. Details on Anderson Silva's leg injury and when he's expected to be released.
Jones Jr. vs. Diaz? With Silva out of the picture for the time being, Roy Jones Jr. is now gunning to box Nick Diaz.
So there's a chance. An orthopedic surgeon lays out the road to recovery for Anderson Silva.
MEDIA STEW
Miesha Tate emotional backstage.
Vitor Belfort: Getting the belt is my mission.
2013 Bazzie Awards: Fight of the Year.
Ronda Rousey's corner reaction to Anderson Silva's leg break.
This Was GLORY 13 - Tokyo Highlights.
Matt Serra on Chris Weidman's win at UFC 168.
Anderson Silva leg break reaction compilation.
Long watches. If you have the time check these out:
UFC 168: Q and A with Bruce Buffer and Vitor Belfort
Knuckle Up #437: The Limits of Finiteness, The Horror & The Stink of Death Everywhere
TWEETS
Anderson doing better.
Thank you to all my fans and friends, I'will be better soon, now I need to be with my family to recovering better.. pic.twitter.com/RfD95fM2UR
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) December 30, 2013
Victory lap.
At the press conference! Thanks for all the support! Prayers go out to Anderson and his family! Love u all! pic.twitter.com/kjTB5XFutN
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 29, 2013
This morning #unscathed http://t.co/daPyZD4Bs0
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 29, 2013
Hard work pays off! Thank you for all your support guys! I'm heading back to Louisiana for a week then back at it. Got a lot to work on!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 29, 2013
@cripplerufc I grew up watching you n I was inspire was an honor I hope we can spar sometimes best of luck
— uriah hall (@UriahHallMMA) December 29, 2013
Thank you @ufc @FOXSports1 for a great night It was a honor be on the biggest card of the year
— JohnDoomsdayHoward (@JohnDoomsday) December 29, 2013
Eu e Bobby Voelker aqui apois a luta. A humildade que esse cara tem é incrível,graças a Deus fizemos... http://t.co/zv7KCO7CZM
— william patolino (@williampatolino) December 29, 2013
Better luck next time.
I'm at a bit of a loss for words but I do know one thing, I sure have a lot of loving fans, thank you all so much & I'm sorry
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) December 29, 2013
Feliz #TEAMBRANDAO i will be back strong thanks all UFC fans for support #TEAMBRANDAO
— Diego Brandao (@DiegoBrandaoMMA) December 29, 2013
Making da drive back to sd time to start a new chapter ive laned the most strikes in da ufc it was a good run wouldnt change a thing
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) December 29, 2013
Thank you my friends! Thanks for support! Let's go to the next battle! https://t.co/6gKTdOaEgM
— Gleison Tibau (@TibauATT) December 29, 2013
My knee and my face today. I can tell I was in a @ufc fight 👊 pic.twitter.com/IaSpRblGEl
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) December 29, 2013
Bad day at the office... Hopefully I'll have another chance to set things right! Thank you for the support!
— Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) December 29, 2013
Get well Anderson.
I'd like to thank everyone that is reaching out and sending positive thoughts and prayers. Anderson is... http://t.co/na4qbxdxBx
— Ed Soares (@edblackhouse) December 30, 2013
Que tenha uma ótima recuperação!!! RT"@pedrorizzo1: He is alright!!! Ele esta bem!!! @SpiderAnderson http://t.co/GDP6kntWqd"
— Ronaldo Jacaré (@JacareMMA) December 29, 2013
Me and the spider. My thoughts are with him. Hope he heals up. G.O.A.T http://t.co/F5j3c6ex9z
— jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) December 29, 2013
Last night was crazy. That card was everything I was hoping for. Happy for @ChrisWeidmanUFC but I really hope @SpiderAnderson is ok.
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) December 29, 2013
Tenha uma boa recuperação @SpiderAnderson @pedrorizzo1 @EdelsonBoxe pic.twitter.com/F4eJh1ALuG
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) December 29, 2013
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Anderson Silva. One of the greatest MMA athletes of all time.
— Joseph Valtellini (@BazookaJoeV) December 29, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Dec. 27-29 2013)
Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann at UFC 170
Gilbert Melendez vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 170
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Lessons Learned and Matches to Make After UFC 168
I hate to say it because I know that others are going to say it... but the UFC 2013 calendar year ended on a bad break... literally. In what may have been the most anticipated rematch in the history of MMA (not just UFC), Anderson Silva broke his leg in half on a kick that was checked by Chris Weidman in the second round of their title fight and more than likely ended the career of the greatest MMA fighter in the history of the young sport. Thus, Weidman retains the title and the debate of who would win the fight (barring injury must be added now) if Silva were to take his opponent serious. It is a shame that the greatest year in the UFC's history ended in that fashion.
All was not lost for a night that ended on a disappointing note however. Fans were treated to a very entertaining title fight as the co-main event for the women's bantamweight title had everyone on the edge of their seat and even if the ending of it was predictable (Rousey by armbar), the timing of the end (3rd round) was largely unexpected. Tate showed a lot of heart dragging Rousey into untread waters as well as superb defense but in the end Rousey remained the champion much to the chagrin of the audience.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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