In the main event of UFC on Fuel 8, Wanderlei Silva evoked memories of his awesome run in Pride FC by knocking out Brian Stann in the Saitama Super Arena. The fight was almost all action, with both men throwing caution to the wind and engaging in some crazy firefights. Stann probably won the first round by buckling Silva’s knees a couple of times with punches, but Silva dropped Stann late in the round as well. After such an exciting first round, it didn’t seem like the bout was going to go five rounds. And it didn’t.
After half a round of action in the second, Silva clocked Stann with a brutal hook that hurt him. Immediately Silva wound up and walloped him again, sending Stann crashing to the canvas. Silva then blitzed him on the ground until Stann lost consciousness. The finish came at 4:08 of the second round and earned Silva his fifth UFC victory. He also won two performance bonuses totaling $100,000.
What was the high point of the fight?
There were a few crazy exchanges, but the finishing sequence was probably the best thing in the fight.
Where do they go from here?
It remains to be seen if Silva will ever return to the middleweight division, but there are plenty of fights for him at 185 or 205. He’s not going to be challenging for a title, but he can still carry cards with his name and ferocious style. I think he should fight Vitor Belfort next, regardless of how Belfort’s fight with Luke Rockhold turns out.
Stann will undoubtedly remain a big part of the UFC middleweight division, and will probably face off with another striker next. Mark Munoz would be an interesting next opponent for him.
Watch now, later, or never?
Now. This is a crazy brawl that you don’t want to miss.
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