Silva vs. Weidman: Full Guide to UFC 162 Main Event

The greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts in the eyes of many, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will put his title on the line Saturday night in Vegas when he takes on up-and-coming challenger Chris Weidman.

There's a ton of buzz and excitement surrounding this weekend's main event and rightfully so. Silva will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, to ever step inside the Octagon when it's all said and done, and The All-American Weidman actually has a shot to finally end his reign.

Regardless of the result, we are sure to learn a lot about the future of the UFC middleweight division on Saturday night.

Here we'll get you set for this weekend's main event at UFC 162 in Las Vegas.

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

When: Saturday, July 6 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-Per-View ($44.99 - $54.99)

Live Stream: UFC TV ($54.99)

Will Chris Weidman Be the First to Knock Off the Spider in the Octagon?

Anderson Silva is a flawless 16-0 inside the Octagon, and has successfully defended his championship belt a record 10 straight times. But that hasn't stopped many from predicting a Chris Weidman victory.

After all, the 29-year-old is as talented and athletic a fighter you will find.

Weidman is a former standout wrestler who won a New York state championship in high school before moving on to be named an All-American in college. And he's a perfect 9-0 as a professional MMA fighter, making his first appearance in 2009.

But what Weidman boasts in terms of ability, he lacks when it comes to experience as Saturday night's bout will be just his 10th professional fight and first-ever UFC title bout.

He's fought just five times in the UFC and has yet to prove himself against topflight competition. Plus, his last outing came nearly a year ago when he knocked out Mark Munoz in the second round of their main event. Silva's last fight was in October.

Weidman's ability to execute well-timed takedowns will be critical to his chances this weekend. If he's able to get Silva to the mat, he could easily win this fight via a submission, or take it to a decision. On the other hand, if his wrestling isn't up to snuff, it could be a short and disappointing night for Weidman.

Anderson Silva Looking to Extend His Record

What Anderson Silva has been able to accomplish in the Octagon over the years is almost unthinkable. The consistency and level of dominance UFC fans have witnessed and come to expect from the Spider are unrivaled.

That's why Silva is the popular pick in this matchup.

Although Silva is nine years older than Weidman, his age equates to experience in this case. He's fought in 28 more professional bouts than his opponent and he's taken out 11 more foes in the Octagon over the course of his legendary career. 

Plus, Silva is a lethal striker who can end a fight in the blink of an eye. Only two of his 16 fights in the UFC have gone to the judges' scorecard. His last five victories have come via knockout, technical knockout or submission, and he hasn't had a fight go to a decision since April 2010.

While Weidman has the superior wrestling to neutralize Silva's striking and submission skills, the Spider has shown time and time again that he can adapt to any situation inside the cage. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.