UFC 183 took place this past Saturday night at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main event featured the returning legend Anderson Silva after a 13-month layoff from a gruesome broken leg injury he suffered at the hand of current Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman.
Anderson Silva was triumphant in his return as he beat Nick Diaz in a five-round decision. The judges had it 49-46, 50–45, and 50–45. I had it scored 49–46, with the third round going to Diaz.
It was a much slower fight than many had expected it to be, with both fighters lacking the explosiveness that made the both so dangerous coming into the fight. Silva seemed tentative mentally, and it is hard to blame him after how badly he was hurt in his last pro fight.
This will be Diaz’s last main even fight for a while, if ever again. He shows no class and no respect for the sport. No matter how poorly he performs. Much like after this fight when he said he thought he did enough to win each round. This guy doesn’t have a clue, and has repeatedly said he only fight for money.
The sport of MMA has come so far in the last 10 years and doesn’t need a clown like this to pull it back into the dark ages.
The rest of the main card didn’t fail to bring the action and carry the Pay Per View, giving the fans their money’s worth despite the disappointing main event.
Tyron Woodley got back on track in his title hunt for the Welterweight belt with an unanimous win over the previously unbeaten Kevin Gastelum who had come into the fight 10 pounds overweight after battling illness. Woodley looked great and won the split decision.
Gastelum was to receive a $10,000 fine for missing weight that would have been given to Woodley, but Woodley asked the UFC not to give him the money. It was a random act of kindness from Woodley and showed that he is a true class act and good for the sport.
Lightweight Al Laquinta who fights out of the Matt Serra camp alongside of Chris Weidman, knocked out crowd favorite and UFC veteran Joe Lauzon midway through the second round of their fight. Watchout for more from this young and hungry limit, as the sky is the limit or Laquinta.
Thales Leites remained red hot by submitting Tim Boetsch in the second round of their bout. Leites is a former UFC Middleweight title challenger, he had lost to Anderson Silva back in 2009 at UFC 97. He lost his next match in the UFC against Alessio Sakara and was cut loose from the UFC shortly after.
Since than he has gone on a tear and is currently riding an eight fight winning streak, five of which have come since he returned to the UFC at UFC 163 against Tom Watson.
Former UFC Welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves was also victorious in dramatic fashion against Jordan Mein with a brutal second round TKO after a beautiful combination of a body kick and barrage of punches to follow.
Alves was getting dominated in that fight until bouncing back with the stunning TKO. Look for more good things to come out of the “Pit Bull” soon. It was an all around solid card that also saw Miesha Tate win a controversial majority decision over Sara McMann on the undercard.
Until next time fight fans, remember, No Blood : No Foul!