A large portion of UFC fans will agree that Anderson Silva is the greatest fighter ever to grace the UFC Octagon. With a record-holding 10 consecutive Middleweight title defenses, it wouldn’t be wrong to call Silva one of the most formidable forces inside the Octagon to date. It is therefore no surprise that UFC has announced the 48-year-old Brazilian’s Hall Of Fame induction this year.
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The former UFC Light Heavyweight champ and 2019 Hall Of Fame inductee, Rashad Evans, was also amongst the ones who appreciated this decision. At the post-event talk show of the recently concluded UFC Vegas 76, Evans revealed he was “excited” for the upcoming HOF induction of ‘The Spider’. But long-time UFC fans know that despite his respect for Silva, ‘Suga’ once viewed himself as capable enough to beat ‘The Spider’.
Anderson Silva is a legend as per Rashad Evans’ definition
During his post-UFC Vegas 76 talk show appearance, Evans stated, “I’m so excited to see the ‘Hall of Fame’ induction. These guys, Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, they gave us so much beauty inside the octagon”. He continued, “And it’s good to thank them that way. Showing them how much we care. Showing them how much impact they made on our lives by letting them know, ‘We appreciate you with a Hall Of Fame award’”.
Evans was definitely pleased about UFC’s decision to induct Silva into the Hall Of Fame. But he also revealed it wasn’t the kind of appreciation he personally valued the most. Talking about his own HOF induction in 2019, Evans stated, “But for me, the Hall Of Fame was something that I didn’t expect. Because, I’m not the one[looking] for awards”.
What holds the highest value for ‘Suga’ is the impact he has on people. He mentioned, “But, seeing my impact and how it affected other people was something that made me emotional”. It is no wonder why he holds Silva in the highest regard. The impact that ‘The Spider’ has left on the lives of many MMA fans and athletes is ‘legendary’.
Rashad Evans once neglected a fight against Anderson Silva despite declaring himself better
Talks of a potential fight between Evans and Silva emerged in the early part of 2013. Long-time UFC fans might remember that ‘The Spider’ used to rule the Middleweight division in those days.
However, in one of his 2013 interviews with ESPN, Evans expressed his confidence in being able to defeat Silva. He stated, “I know I would beat him”. Understandably, several fans might have believed Evans back then.
It was perhaps ‘Suga’s’ respect for ‘The Spider’ which made him neglect the fight. Evans had also stated, “He’s a great guy outside of the cage, and he’s one of my favorite fighters to watch inside the cage”. Well, recent events made it apparent that Evans still had the same amount of appreciation for Silva.
Do you also possess similar views about ‘The Spider’?
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