On this date in 2015, two legends shared the octagon in a much-anticipated clash, only for the fight to be overturned
Anderson Silva’s loss in his rematch against Chris Weidman horrifies MMA fans to date. In what was a potentially career-ending injury, it was an absolute miracle to watch him return to the octagon in two years. He was welcomed back by the Stockton bad-boy Nick Diaz in a match-up made my MMA gods.
The fight took place on the 31st of January, 2015 at UFC 183 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Diaz was coming off a unanimous decision loss against Georges St-Pierre. In fact, he hadn’t fought in nearly two years as well.
Nick Diaz (L) takes a kick from Anderson Silva in a middleweight bout during UFC 183 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Silva won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Diaz stood up to the top of his reputation and almost immediately started talking trash to the Spider. Joe Rogan’s reaction is what every fan felt at that time as Nick Diaz laid down in front of Silva in a never seen before display.
Anderson Silva maintained his composure and started putting on a little bit of a clinic.
Silva won the fight by unanimous decision and almost instantaneously broke into tears.
Win chalked off after both tested positive for banned substances
The win did not last long as both Silva and Diaz tested positive for banned substances. While Silva tested for drostanolone and androsterone, Diaz tested positive for marijuana.
Both the fighters were slapped with massive suspensions which were later reduced to less than two years.
Silva returned to action a year later against Michael Bisping in February 2016. However, Diaz next stepped inside the Octagon nearly 7 years later.
He took on Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 and suffered a TKO loss due to retirement.
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