Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz: Video Highlights from UFC 183 Main Event

Legendary former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and fan favorite former Strikeforce and WEC champion Nick Diaz combined for an entertaining fight at UFC 183.

Big surprise, right? 

The two fighters, both known for their exciting styles and amazing finishes of top opponents, combined for a masterpiece of a fight, defined by the contrast between Silva's elegant counterpunching and Diaz's brutish boxing.

The early goings of the fight saw both men get their licks in. Diaz ruthlessly taunted Silva in the first round, literally lying down on the mat and pressing himself against the cage in an attempt to bait The Spider. That said, the Stocktonian found early success with his left hand and successfully pressured Silva, but he could not avoid the rangy, damaging counters of Silva.

As the fight went on, Silva's timing improved and Diaz's face swelled. By the third round, Silva was firmly in control, and by the fourth round, he was coasting toward victory. When the final bell sounded, Diaz was wearing multiple cuts around his left eye, which was nearly swollen shut.

The judges would award Silva a unanimous decision victory to the tune of 50-45, 50-45, 49-46.

While it was a heartwarming return victory for Silva and a commendable showing for Diaz, neither man's future in the sport is clear. Silva said he would need to consult his family before making any decisions regarding another fight (but the early tone was not positive), while Diaz came just shy of saying he loathes every single aspect of professional fighting at the UFC 183 post-event presser.

Either way, look forward to Bleacher Report's coverage of both men, and keep an eye on our coverage of UFC 183's fallout over the coming days.