Saturday's fight was not very good for Anderson Silva - particularly his left leg.
While attempting a low kick with the leg in question, his opponent Chris Weidman, blocked the move with his own leg. The result? A broken fibula and tibia that shocked audiences and even the UFC 168 announcers themselves. (See the replay of the injury below)
UFC's Dr. Steven Sanders performed surgery on the fighter's leg at a Las Vegas hospital soon after he sustained the injury, CBS Sports reported. Although the operation was successful, Silva needed to remain in the hospital to recuperate.
The Washington Post noted that the owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Zugga, LLC, released a statement regarding the fighter's current condition:
Following Saturday evening's UFC 168 main event, former champion Anderson Silva was taken to a local Las Vegas hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a broken left leg. The successful surgery, performed by Dr. Steven Sanders, the UFC's orthopedic surgeon, inserted an intramedullary rod into Anderson's left tibia. The broken fibula was stabilized and does not require a separate surgery. Anderson will remain in the hospital for a short while, but no additional surgery is scheduled at this time. Recovery time for such injuries may vary between three and six months.
Anderson is deeply touched by the outpouring of support from his fans and the entire MMA community. There has been no immediate decision about his future, and he would kindly ask for privacy at this time as he deals with his injury and prepares to return home to recover.
Silva, considered as one of "UFC's all-time greatest fighter", was attempting to take back the middleweight title in the match that appeared to put his career in jeopardy.
Wiedman recognized that the injury wasn't down to "dumb luck," reported Time Sports.
"I don't think it was accidental when you try to check a kick and it works. If I didn't try to check the kick, I'd have a big bruised leg right now and he'd have picked me apart with leg kicks. You try to check kicks, and that's what happens," he said.
Wiedman also said that Silva is "still known as the greatest of all time."
Here's slow-motion footage of the moment Silva's leg broke in gruesome fashion:
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
