Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen went the distance in an exhibition boxing match this past weekend in Brazil, and “The Spider” said he decided not to win the match as a “tribute” to their history.
Silva and Sonnen fought twice for the UFC middleweight championship in two of the most watched MMA clashes of all time, both ending with Silva as the winner. The duo headlined Spaten Fight Night on June 15, which was billed as Silva’s final bout on Brazilian soil.
Silva told the media after the lackluster match that knockouts weren’t allowed since it was an exhibition, and took to social media Friday to elaborate on his performance.
“I know some said the match should have been more aggressive, but each fight has its own dynamic,” Silva wrote in Portuguese. “I chose to be in the ring with an opponent so important in my history. I could have fought to win, but I preferred to do this a tribute to our history, and that’s why I didn’t win the belt.”
“We win in many ways in life, he continued, “and being beside you all that night was the biggest victory of all. It was incredible to say goodbye to the Brazilian rings with so much love. Love you.”
A ceremonial belt was presented Wednesday during a face-off in Sao Paulo, but neither fighter took it home.
Fala meu povo , venho aqui agradecer o carinho de vocês, pois sábado foi uma noite histórica para mim. Última luta no meu país, meu filho lutando, passou um filme da minha vida…
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) June 21, 2024
Sei que alguns falaram que a luta deveria ter sido mais agressiva, mas cada luta tem a sua própria…
Silva said after the Sonnen match that he’s currently in talks to compete in a professional boxing match in Dubai later this year, but said he wasn’t allowed to reveal the opponent.
The UFC Hall of Famer has won two of three pro boxing bouts since parting ways with the UFC in 2020, defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tito Ortiz before losing to Jake Paul, and then going the distance in boxing exhibitions with Sonnen and Bruno Azeredo.
