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It happened. It actually happened.
For months an endless flood of professional fighters predicted the demise of Anderson Silva at the hands of Chris Weidman. At UFC 162, Weidman finally stared fate straight in the eye and validated all of those claims.
Regardless of how it transpired, the reality is that Weidman is the new UFC middleweight champion. Silva's eight-year, 15-fight reign of dominance came to an unceremonious end on Saturday night, as the entire MMA community sat in stunned disbelief at what it just witnessed.
Words can't describe how I'm feeling right now!!! Beyond happy proud & excited for the new champ @ChrisWeidmanUFC !!!!
— Matt Serra (@MattSerraUFC) July 7, 2013
this sucks.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 7, 2013
#NOREMATCH lets RT THIS IT IS MY TIME @danawhite @lorenzofertitta
— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) July 7, 2013
@ChrisWeidmanUFC Congratulations, you are the new champion. Next challenger is me! Lets do it
— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) July 7, 2013
@danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ChrisWeidmanUFC I AM THE NEXT CHALLENGER FOR THE NEW CHAMP LETS SET THE DATE!!!!! COME ON SOMEBODY
— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) July 7, 2013
Hey @ChrisWeidmanUFC so your the champ. Defend it, fight me!
— michael (@bisping) July 7, 2013
@ChrisWeidmanUFC let's do it, Manchester,well done champ.
— michael (@bisping) July 7, 2013
Wow......
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) July 7, 2013
Don't boo Anderson Silva. The man has delivered an incredible legacy and set the bar higher than anyone
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) July 7, 2013
U MUST respect every opponent!! There is no room in this sport for showboatin. Lesson learned
— chad mendes (@chadmendes) July 7, 2013
The showboating finally caught up to him.
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) July 7, 2013
@ChrisWeidmanUFC the Champ congrats buddy! AMAZING
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) July 7, 2013
Never been at such a loss for words after a fight. Too many thoughts to even express. Just wow I guess. #UFC162
— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) July 7, 2013
WOW! Chris Weidman ladies and gentlemen
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) July 7, 2013
Big olé congrats for Weidman, way to show how to put cockiness to sleep. Always supporting the wrestlers! USA baby!!
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) July 7, 2013
I wonder how fast before Silva gets a rematch?? @flaviomeierbjj
— Alexis Davis (@AlexisDavisMMA) July 7, 2013
Big congrats to the @ufc 's #NewKidOnTheBlock, #ChrisWeidman, home boi rises to the occasion!!! #WRESTLING
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 7, 2013
But seriously, HUGE props to @SpiderAnderson for being AMAZING n UNDEFEATED for 7 years in the @ufc, ROLE MODEL n HUGE inspiration
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 7, 2013
Anderson Silva #lenda #legend #inspiração #inspiration ossss http://t.co/yQL3qRQEtd
— Junior dos Santos (@junior_cigano) July 7, 2013
Anderson got caught. Happens to everyone. Respect the hell out of him. #GOAT
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) July 7, 2013
Wow!!! That boy bad man!!! Congrats bro @ChrisWeidmanUFC
— Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) July 7, 2013
Silva still has a great legacy in MMA. That style worked for him so many times in the past. I don’t think Anderson will fight again
— Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) July 7, 2013
The closed sign has been turned around . The 185 lb division in the UFC is now open #ufc162
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) July 7, 2013
Respect to Anderson Silva for holding the belt for so long and being a great ambassador for the sport of MMA #UFC162
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) July 7, 2013
Man Anderson gave that to him he could've win at anytime IMO! Well congrats to the new champ!! #cantplay
— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) July 7, 2013
#WEIDMAN BABY!!!!! UFC 162
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) July 7, 2013
Dun dun Dunnnnn
— Michelle Ould (@MichelleOuldMMA) July 7, 2013
Silva deserves to loss so cocky and disrespectful
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) July 7, 2013
America won tonight. #ufc162
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) July 7, 2013
Wow I can't believe the dumb shit people are saying right now. Bandwagon fans
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 7, 2013
Silva played around too much and got caught and paid for it. He is still the best pound for pound fighter and the greatest of all time!
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 7, 2013
Anderson has been working on the wacky waving arm inflatable tube man defense.
— Amir Sadollah (@amirMMA) July 7, 2013
Okay, now you stay classy, USA.
— Ryan Couture (@RyanDCouture) July 7, 2013
Why would you boo Anderson Silva.....the dude is a legend! #UFC162
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) July 7, 2013
Fuck this whole night
— Lorenz Larkin (@da_MONSOON) July 7, 2013
@ChrisWeidmanUFC he did it . He is the new @ufc champion of the world
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) July 7, 2013
Hoollllyyyy shit!!!!
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) July 7, 2013
It looked like Chris was falling for it and Anderson was looking for a hole to catch him. Don't think he was being disrespectful
— Chris Clements (@menaceclements) July 7, 2013
I don't believe in a million yrs that Anderson threw the fight but I do believe he's happy to take the immense pressure off of his shoulders
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 7, 2013
The "hands down" ploy is what Silva has used many times to frustrate & bait his opponents into a KO. It failed this time. #ufc162
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 7, 2013
Even Anderson Silva can't ALWAYS get away with keeping his hands down. Picked Weidman to win but Silva still the best to ever fight in @ufc
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 7, 2013
so that's what happens when you show off? Guess I need to stop doing that ... Thanks for showing me the light #stillthegoat
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) July 7, 2013
Wow can't believe what I iust saw tonight.
— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) July 7, 2013
Thats what he gets for fuckin around tho
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) July 7, 2013
Now there's one reason to respect other fighters
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) July 7, 2013
HISTORY WAS MADE!!!!
— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) July 7, 2013
Automatically gets the rematch. But I am glad the belt is in the USA! #ufc162
— Evan Dunham (@evandunham155) July 7, 2013
USA THANK YOU!
— Kenny Robertson (@170Kenny) July 7, 2013
Its like the fourth of July all over again! @ALIAQUINTA
— Samuel Sicilia (@SamSiciliaMMA) July 7, 2013
Boom!!!!!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 7, 2013
Anderson tried to pull a @PrinceNaseemH but failed this time!! Wow!
— MIKE RICHMAN (@MikeUSMCRichman) July 7, 2013
— Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) July 7, 2013
I havent had a feeling like this since GSP vs. Serra's first fight...wonder if there is a rematch in store for Weidman vs Silva #UFC162
— Jon Tuck (@JonCruzTuck) July 7, 2013
What’s with Ray Longo students pulling off these otherworldly knockouts on champions? #UFC162
— Jason Highwalker (@KCBanditMMA) July 7, 2013
Knocked the F out! #Toococky
— Trevor Smith (@trevorsmithmma) July 7, 2013
WHAT NOW BITCHES!!!!!! Belt is back fucking home! BOOOOOOMMMM!!!!! #chrisweidman
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) July 7, 2013
That...was...stupid. Working your opponent is one thing but remember, you're still in a fight dude. Damn. #AndersonSilva #ufc162 #MMA
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) July 7, 2013
Even in losing in such a manner #AndersonSilva shows a great attitude. Gave the new champ a lot props and that's commendable. #ufc162 #MMA
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) July 7, 2013
Still the greatest, but he's human like everyone else. Sad to see it happening that way though.
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) July 7, 2013
Watching Anderson lose was like finding out Santa Claus doesn't exist. Congrats to weidman
— Sara McMann (@Sara_McMann) July 7, 2013
WoW!!!!
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) July 7, 2013
Wow!!!!!! @ufc #ufc162 @ChrisWeidmanUFC is the New Champ!!! Crazy!!!! @SpiderAnderson pic.twitter.com/u9rUsgUqbp
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) July 7, 2013
Anderson was an amazing champion. I'm happy to see Chris bring the belt back to America!
— Aaron Riley (@aaronrileymma) July 7, 2013
Unreal fight!! Anderson nothing but a class act even in defeat. pic.twitter.com/I5YBYwJjSt
— Sean Sherk UFC (@SeanSherkUFC) July 7, 2013
I get the idea of mentally beating someone but to completely disrespect another man in battle the way silva did is shameful
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) July 7, 2013
Always respect your opponent PERIOD !!!
— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) July 7, 2013
Don't play with your food #EatIt
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) July 7, 2013
Dana must be fighting hard to hide his true emotions right now.
— MIKE RICHMAN (@MikeUSMCRichman) July 7, 2013
Wow #ufc162
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) July 7, 2013
Silva is still the GOAT. His Legacy is amazing and huge huge huge congrats to @ChrisWeidmanUFC
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) July 7, 2013
Hats off to Chris Weidman. New Champion, well deserved. #ufc162
— Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) July 7, 2013
Seeing Anderson get knocked out is like finding out Santa isn't real!
— Louis Gaudinot (@LouGaudinotUFC) July 7, 2013
He may of lost and Say what you want but Anderson Silva is still the best ever!! #UFC162
— John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) July 7, 2013
Kind of a little heart broken. Not going to lie
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) July 7, 2013
wow!!! he s human after all #Silva ko
— Yves Jabouin (@TigerJabouin) July 7, 2013
I've never been so inspired in my life, congrats champ @ChrisWeidmanUFC
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 7, 2013
EDGAR GETS BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN
Another awesome Frankie Edger fight!!!
— Matt Serra (@MattSerraUFC) July 7, 2013
How do you not love @FrankieEdgar?!?! Lil fucking savage! Go get it Champ!
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) July 7, 2013
U got to love the pace of the 145 div. Specially when Frankie fights. #ufc162
— Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) July 7, 2013
Edgars footwork is so dam clean
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) July 7, 2013
Holy Frankie Edgar, Batman!
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) July 7, 2013
Frankie "The Kick Catcher" Edgar
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 7, 2013
Amazing fight between Edgar and Olivera. No losers there IMO.
— Amir Sadollah (@amirMMA) July 7, 2013
If you dont like @FrankieEdgar you may seriously be a bad person, kid is incredible and so down to earth !!!! Great fight both men!!!
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 7, 2013
Fight of the night. Edgar vs oliveira
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) July 7, 2013
@frankieedgar is my hero!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 7, 2013
Dang @FrankieEdgar is a beast!!!
— Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) July 7, 2013
Fight of the night 100% what a fight congrats to the Former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar good job :) @ufc @danawhite #respect
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) July 7, 2013
Love me a Frankie Edgar fight!
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) July 7, 2013
That was MY fight of the night so far! #edgar #oliveira #ufc162 Edgar is an animal. Right hand had POP! Pace was sick & fight was technical!
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 7, 2013
KENNEDY VICTORIOUS IN DEBUT
Whoa like David and Goliath
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) July 7, 2013
Congrats @TimKennedyMMA !!!!! Way to beat a giant (in more ways than one!) @JacksonsMMA @mmacoachwink @ufc
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) July 7, 2013
I picked a great time to take a nap for 20 minutes.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 7, 2013
Yah Tim Kennedy!! Lets go my man! Looked very composed in there against one of the best bjj practitioners, when he had your back!
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 7, 2013
Very impressed with tim Kennedy! #murica
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 7, 2013
Sorry but Jackson is a odd corner man.I might bite his face when he came in cage. IMO love my marcus & @JoeDelguyd sure @smiocic agrees
— Jessica (@jessicaevileye) July 7, 2013
No disrespect to Roger Gracie but Damien Maia has the best mma grappling in the UFC 👏 who's with me on this one?
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) July 7, 2013
It was a humbling night @rogergracie is an amazing fighter. I promise to come back WAY better. #ufc162
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) July 7, 2013
MUNOZ DOMINATES BOETSCH
Yeah buddy!! Great job @mark_munoz you trained so hard & broke his will!!
— Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) July 7, 2013
Nice to see Munoz in the winners circle again... #ufc162
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) July 7, 2013
Very inspired by @mark_munoz !! Amazing performance #ufc162
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) July 7, 2013
Great fight! Munoz great showing and boetsch is a tough sob! @ufc #ufc162
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) July 7, 2013
Congrats to Mark Munoz one of the coolest guys in the sport. #UFC162
— Jason Highwalker (@KCBanditMMA) July 7, 2013
Congrats to @mark_munoz on his victory tonight! Showed everyone what #donkeyKong punches are all about! @TRAIN2REIGN @VelocityIrvine
— Raphael Davis (@RaphaelDavis205) July 7, 2013
Munoz tenderizing Boetsch like he’s bout to throw him on the grill. #UFC162
— Jason Highwalker (@KCBanditMMA) July 7, 2013
@mark_munoz congrats!!!!
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) July 7, 2013
Great performance @mark_munoz ! Congrats Pilipino Wrecking Machine-O #UFC162
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) July 7, 2013
Munoz is back on track. One of the nicest & most genuine guys you will meet. Great win over a tough Boetsch. #ufc162 #keepolympicwrestling
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 7, 2013
Well Boetsch is going to be really sore 2moro lol Munoz looked awesome in that fight! #UFC162
— John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) July 7, 2013
SWANSON STAKES HIS CLAIM
Whoa.. @CubSwanson makin a statement! ! Impressive fo sho
— Mike Brown (@mikebrownmma) July 7, 2013
Great fucking fight!!!! Siver vs Cub
— Dana White (@danawhite) July 7, 2013
Swanson made Siver even slower by using feints. Swanson's combinations meant he found Siver's timing. Game over! #UFC162
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 7, 2013
Good stop by herb dean...it's pro Fighting..$ is on the line. let guys go as long as they can...
— Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) July 7, 2013
Awesome performance @CubSwanson they gotta give you that title shot soon. Your running out of people to beat up!
— Aaron Riley (@aaronrileymma) July 7, 2013
Also think herb should have stopped that a tad bit earlier
— isaac vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) July 7, 2013
Impressive as always Cub Swanson does it again. Very fun to watch #UFC162
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) July 7, 2013
Congrats @CubSwanson! Amazing finish ya stud.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 7, 2013
Wow Swanson made him look terrible in the 3rd!
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 7, 2013
If cub isn't getting the next shot id love to see him rematch lamas.
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 7, 2013
@CubSwanson looked amazing tonight for sure he has earned a title shot @danawhite 👍
— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) July 7, 2013
COLLASPE OF THE CRIPPLER
Tough fight @cripplerufc love you bro
— Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) July 7, 2013
Leben is a freaking trooper!!
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 7, 2013
Damn hell of a fight boys @cripplerufc @aHIGHLIGHTcraig
— Ed Herman (@EdHermanufc) July 7, 2013
Andrew Craig looks like my boy @urijahfaber on a hot dose of whatever Alistar Overrated takes.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 7, 2013
29-28 leben! I say he takes a split dec!
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) July 7, 2013
Impressive fight for Andrew Craig. Leben is a fans fighter! How can you not love watching him fight! @ufc @danawhite
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) July 7, 2013
Always felt Leben was most dangerous as a counter striker. #UFC162
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 7, 2013
Heart & a good chin should NEVER be what a fighter formulates his tactics around. Heart & a good chin is for EMERGENCIES ONLY! #UFC
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 7, 2013
Just wanna thank every one that stayed in my corner n supported me. Tried 2 push pace n keep fight exciting.
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) July 7, 2013
But can't leave it up to judges. i of all people know that. Hats off to @aHIGHLIGHTcraig
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) July 7, 2013
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