‘None deserves more than him’: Former UFC champs react to Anderson Silva’s Hall of Fame induction
MIAMI – Legendary former champion Anderson Silva will get his spot in the UFC Hall of Fame, an obviously deserving accolade to many, including fellow legends of the game.
The UFC announced last month that arguably its greatest champion will be inducted as part of the class of 2023. The induction ceremony will take place in July during International Fight Week.
And with the news of Silva’s induction, a lot of praise and appreciation has come the Brazilian’s way for the heights he reached in the sport as the most dominant UFC middleweight champion of all time and one of MMA’s biggest stars.
Last Thursday during a UFC Q&A in Miami ahead of UFC 287, MMA Junkie asked Georges St-Pierre, former opponents Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort, and Lyoto Machida their thoughts on Silva’s induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Below is what they had to say.
Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre (left) and Anderson Silva face off during an appearance in September 2019.
“Anderson is probably the best to ever do it. He’s just incredible. I mean, he fought like he was in the Matrix. He’s got the best highlight in the UFC. I think he deserves it more than anybody.”
Chris Weidman
“If there’s someone that deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, it’s Anderson Silva. I think he’s a guy we all looked up to, especially for me. I was a little bit of a younger generation. He’s a mythical figure. Being able to share the octagon with him was a true blessing, and I was honored to do it, and he brought so much to the table. It wasn’t just his technical attributes. It was the mental side of it. The way he made you feel like there’s nothing you could do to him. No matter what you hit him with, he was still there looking at you like nothing hurt him.
“The guy was truly just great for the sport. So him retiring and moving on and doing his thing in boxing, it’s pretty awesome and to see that the UFC is honoring him with the UFC Hall of Fame. It’s pretty cool to see.”
Vitor Belfort
Anderson Silva knocks out Vitor Belfort at UFC 126
“You get what you deserve, and none has put in more into this sport than Anderson with what he put in the sport and what he represents. He was one of the champions that I shared the octagon with. I love when I see when people recognize and something that you don’t pick yourself, something that someone else picks.
“None deserves more than him, so congrats to Anderson and his family.”
Lyoto Machida
“Anderson Silva, we trained together a couple of times, but we never had the opportunity to do a camp together. He’s a legend. I consider him one of the best in this sport.”
