• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Israel Adesanya has surpassed Anderson Silva as 'greatest middleweight'

Home> MMA

Published 02:21 14 Apr 2023 GMT+1

UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Israel Adesanya has surpassed Anderson Silva as 'greatest middleweight'

It's a bold call from the popular announcer.

Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins

Popular MMA commentator Jon Anik believes Israel Adesanya has knocked Anderson Silva off his ‘greatest middleweight’ perch.

The Last Stylebender regained the middleweight championship from Alex Pereira after a mammoth knockout victory.

It signals the beginning of his second title reign in the middleweight division after losing his title to the Brazilian at UFC 281.

In his first reign as champion, he notched up five title defences against the likes of Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Yoel Romero.

Advert

He also defeated the legendary Silva en route to becoming a middleweight contender.

Associated Press / Alamy

On the other hand, the UFC Hall of Famer notched up 10 consecutive defences while he was champion of the division.

However, according to the UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator, the current middleweight king’s resume is more impressive.

Advert

He told SportsCenter: “It also, in my humble opinion, cements Israel Adesanya as one of the greatest of all time.

“There are people who can still argue Anderson Silva is the greatest middleweight champion of all time, and in terms of the title defences, that is OK.

“But I sit here in 2023 and not just argue for Adesanya’s case as one of the best pound-for-pound guys right now.

“I think he’s the greatest middleweight champion of all time based on his strength of schedule and based on this win.”

Advert

It’s an ambitious take but one that certainly has merit.

And for Anik comes down to more than just title defences, believing that the mental strength to overcome losing three times to Pereira says a lot about Adesanya.

He continued: “This can be argued as one of the biggest singular wins in mixed martial arts history.

Advert

“Certainly the rivalry between these two fighters, it’s well documented. Even though the series was close, it was 3-0 for Alex Pereira.

“And one of the hardest things to do, in the UFC in particular, is to lose your belt and then win it back. In the span of five months, he was able to do that.”

“I do think this win in particular is a lot more about the psychology than the physical.

“Just getting Izzy’s mind right to actually walk into a combat sports setting, down 3-0, and to beat this man like this? I think you can argue it as one of the biggest wins in UFC history.”

Featured Image Credit: Credit: ESPN/YouTube. Associated Press / Alamy.

Topics: UFC, MMA, Israel Adesanya, Anderson Silva

Jayden Collins
Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins is a Journalist at SPORTbible. He has worked across multiple media platforms in areas such as sport, music, pop culture, entertainment and politics. He is part of the editorial team for LADbible Australia.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
13 hours ago
a day ago
  • Getty
    6 hours ago

    Joe Rogan Snubs Guest Begging for Podcast Appearance on Live TV

    The popular podcast host snubbed a former UFC champion despite them asking to be on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience.

    MMA
  • Getty
    13 hours ago

    Dana White Reveals Donald Trump Detail That Surprises Everyone Who Meets Him

    Trump is in the UK meeting the Royal Family and prime minister Keir Starmer

    MMA
  • Getty
    a day ago

    Dana White Reveals His 'Surprising' Reaction to Charlie Kirk Murder

    The UFC Chief revealed his response to Charlie Kirk's murder

    MMA
  • Getty
    a day ago

    Dana White Hints UFC Legend Banned in 2016 Could Finally Make Return

    UFC boss White made the hint during a chat with Logan Paul

    MMA
  • Israel Adesanya in fiery incident with UFC fan after hearing him make comment about Jon Jones
  • UFC fans all make the same point after witnessing Israel Adesanya's loss to Nassourdine Imavov
  • Joe Rogan podcast guest claims his appearance on show is the reason for Israel Adesanya's UFC downfall
  • What happened to the seven UFC champions in 2011 described as 'Super 7' as Jon Jones retires from MMA