It was certainly not the most exciting fight ever. In fact, at points it was downright lacking in action altogether. But in the end, there was no doubt who the better fighter was.
Let's put it this way: Anderson Silva is still the UFC Middleweight Champion.
Silva picked his spots with his striking, choosing to connect with hard low kicks, including sidekicks to the knee, and punches throughout the fight. However, he rarely threw combinations and therefore his approach seemed somewhat lacking in aggressiveness. After Thales Leites found that he could not get the fight to the ground and keep it there, he kept falling to his back, perhaps hoping that his opponent would follow him there. Of course, Silva did not on most occasions. Thus, it was not all that fun. It was not pretty. But it was effective in netting Silva another win.
Anderson Silva wins by way of unanimous decision. Check out the full results of UFC 97 here!
*Photo Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images*
Comments
After watching the spectacle of the man touted to be the world’s best pound for pound fighter
try to kneecap Thiago Thales in UFC 97 I looked immediately for a forum to let it be known, any white belt in Karate knows that a side kick to the knee is meant to break the knee. This is an unfortunate precedent and a disgrace to true martial artists who know exactly what I am talking about. Dana White should suspend Anderson Silva and speak up. It only can go downhill from here what’s next for the UFC . ? Perhaps knife hands to the throat?