Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman Results: 5 Reasons for a Rematch

On Saturday, July 6, 2013, Anderson Silva lost to Chris Weidman at UFC 162. 

We are now two days removed from the fight and the result still stands. It turns out Silva did indeed lose. It wasn't just a collective dream shared by the MMA community.

The fight between Weidman and Silva was an odd affair, Weidman hunting the champ, Silva confusing the match for a foray into Dancing With the Stars.

It sure would be nice to see the two of them go at it for a second time, only with both fighters attempting to engage, wouldn't it?

Well, as it happens, Dana White says that we will see it. 

Personally, I don't find an immediate rematch to be particularly viable. The nature of Weidman vs. Silva leaves me wondering if Silva would care to put more focus into a rematch, and if the result would be any different.

But if the former champion exhibits real dedication and concentration by winning a fight, and the new champion solidifies his spot by defending his title, Weidman vs. Silva II is a must.

Here are five reasons why.

The Nature of the Outcome

Chris Weidman's knockout was a fitting price for Anderson Silva's in-Octagon antics. The former champ has used taunting and baiting to his advantage in the past, but he took it too far against an opponent too good, and the result was well-deserved for both men.

However, there are some people who will say Weidman's win comes with an asterisk. They'll say Silva didn't really care about the outcome and didn't put in his best effort. 

But even if that is true, it changes nothing. Mental fortitude is every bit as important as physical ability in MMA, and if the pressure of being the man weighed too much on Silva, Weidman was still able to do what no one else has done for a long, long time.

That said, it would be nice to see a rematch between Weidman and a Silva who is trying to beat him, not a Silva who is trying to humiliate him.

It would be a good thing for Weidman, who would have the opportunity to prove he can take out Silva even at his most focused, and it would be a good opportunity for Silva to recuperate from this bizarre defeat. 

Silva Deserves It (If He Truly Wants It)

I don't think an immediate rematch is the way to go because I don't think Silva should be given one. 

Being knocked out in the midst of a comedy performance, then expressing disinterest in avenging the loss does nothing to suggest this fight needs to happen right away. Or that Silva wants it to.

"The Spider" should be given the opportunity to fight for the title again, but only if he proves that he wants and deserves it by winning a contender bout first.

His years of domination would be enough, but the manner of the defeat seems to make a rematch redundant, unless Silva demonstrates that he recognizes the threat Weidman poses next time. Until then, why even bother with Silva vs. Weidman II? 

Weidman Deserves It

Weidman defeated Silva. That is a statement that requires no qualifier. Weidman came to fight, did what he needed to and took home the belt. Silva's antics were not his choice. He did all he could to win the match, and he won it.

But there has to be a part of Weidman that wishes Silva came at him aggressive and focused. Sure, it must be satisfying to knock out someone who is trying to embarrass you in front of millions of people, but the champion should be given the opportunity to prove himself a second time.

That's the nature of things when you beat a legend; you still have to prove yourself by doing it again.

There is no guarantee that Silva would change his tactics in a rematch, or that the result would be any different if he did. But Weidman has the right to consolidate his UFC 162 gains, and if Silva stays at middleweight, the only way he'll officially seal the deal is by beating the Brazilian for a second time.

He deserves that opportunity.

The Fans Deserve It

When Weidman landed the first punch in the series of blows that ended the fight, I jumped to my feet, heard my heart race and felt the gravity of the moment. 

Anderson Silva had finally lost.

It only took seconds for me to grimace though, recounting how the outcome came to be. It was a legitimate win for Weidman, but an odd one.

I believe Silva is the best fighter to ever compete in mixed martial arts. I also believe that Wiedman has UFC Hall of Fame potential and could possibly replicate the type of results that Silva has produced. He has a long way to go, but I find it conceivable.

Because I view Silva as the best of an era, and Weidman as a future legend, I want to see a fight between them.

A fight where both fighters are fighting.

I picked Weidman to win at UFC 162, and I believe he would beat Silva again in a rematch, but I want to see him do it against a Silva that is throwing everything he has at Weidman.

It's something every fan of the sport deserves.

A Rematch Would Be Momentous

The buzz heading into UFC 162 was enormous. The energy, the anticipation and the drawn-out debates made the card a success even before it got underway.

Cards such as UFC 162 are always a blast for fans; they're the ones that make you feel invested and get your heart pumping even if the fighters involved aren't your personal favorites. The sheer gravity of Saturday's main event was apparent, and you couldn't help but sense the historic nature of it.

You can never have too much of that in sports, which is why Silva vs. Weidman II needs to happen. It would be best if Weidman gets a title defense under his belt first and if Silva destroys a different opponent beforehand.

If that scenario plays out, the spectacle of UFC 162 will seem small by comparison.