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"Everyone saw that he tapped. But you can understand how he’d behave like that in the heat of the fight. I’ve made some mistakes and everyone does, nobody’s perfect. The important part was that we had a good showing and the crowd liked it. I feel it’s a fight that will make history, we’re both to be congratulated. Now each of us will go to his respective home to see the family and we’ll work on improving...
I’m a Nogueira brothers black belt, and I’d give my life for them. I say that and I don’t need to patronize them nor them me. Rodrigo is my master and Rogério is a brother and teacher to me. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today. I decided to put on the gi as a tribute to them and for the things I’d said. I told Rodrigo I’d get the submission this fight. I told him that. Everything worked out yet again...
I’ve had this [rib] problem for some time. Some weeks before the fight, I hurt my rib training with Lyoto and some other guys. The pain got worse and I went to the doctor, who suggested I not fight because it could get worse. But that’s in the past. Now I have to recover and think about the next one."
-Anderson Silva talks to GracieMag.com about his epic UFC 117 main event with Chael Sonnen and telling the Nogueira's that he would get the submission in the fight.
Penick's Analysis: Clearly of all the things Sonnen said leading up to the fight, going after the legitimacy of the Nogueira brothers and their jiu jitsu training may have set Silva off the most. He was probably hoping to avoid being on his back for 23 minutes, but ultimately he accomplished his goal. As for the rib injury, it would be nice if there wouldn't have been any comments made in excuse for his performance, but still, having a legitimate rib injury heading into this fight makes it even more impressive that he was able to not only sustain the punishment he did, but stay cognizant enough as to where he was in the fight to pull that submission off.
RELATED STORY: UFC
117 BONUSES: Anderson Silva earns two $60K bonuses, two "Submission of the Night" bonuses handed out: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
[Anderson Silva art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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