Wand: This victory came at the right moment

by Mike Whitman | source: sherdog.com

Wanderlei Silva is probably the most beloved fighter in mixed martial arts. But not because he always wins.

Wand came to the UFC from Pride with the highest expectations, but he had dropped his last two in Pride, to Cro Cop and to Dan Henderson.

Then he lost to Chuck Liddell in his first outing. He took out a fading Keith Jardine, and dropped two, to Rampage and Rich Franklin. Finally he took a decision over Michael Bisping, an got knocked out by Chris Leben.

In short, he needed a win. And last not, he got it, ending in glorious, vintage style, although he started cautiously.

“I know this sport has no more space for falls,” Silva said at the UFC 139 post-fight press conference. “We are fighting in the best event in world and these are the best (fighters) in the world. I know the responsibility of being here. There is only space for the best guys in the world.”

"(Cung Le)] has heavy legs ... tough kicks and they hurt ... strong kicks.”

“My coach told me to attack more in the second round. That was the plan. I hit him hard with the knee and I felt he was close to the finish.”

“It’s wonderful. I can’t talk after my last fight (vs. Leben). It’s embarrassing that I lost like that. But in this job, every weekend, (the UFC) makes one event better than the (last). It was a tough moment for me, but this victory came at the right moment. This was a great moment in my life.”

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11/20/11 10:51 AM by MMAxNate

His post fight press conference is pure Wand. He said, "for the fans" at least 5 times.

11/20/11 10:24 AM by weaktendons

god joe was sucking on CUNGS TAE KWON DO DICK all through the fight! I hate it when joe clearly favour a fighter he should be impartial.Im so happy wand won, the only two fights that really got me nervous this year was big nogs fight in rio and wandy last night...war silvaaaaa!

11/20/11 9:08 AM by The Mammoth

Great fight. Joe Rogan yelling "NO!" as the ref stopped it annoyed me though."Cung was working a take down"Er, no, he was hanging on for dear life after Wandy kneed Cung in the face 10 times and plastered his nose halfway across his face. I certainly did not see Cung protesting the stoppage, he looked downright grateful!!So while Wandy is celebrating and im celebrating with him we've got Joe, in a real downer voice, "poor stoppage in my opinion"Way to bum us out Joe!!

11/20/11 8:29 AM by BrunoMcGyver

Such an awesome victory. Wandy winning made my weekend. Where I was watching it you could tell who the 'casuals' were and who the 'hardcores' were because 7-8 of us hardcores were going off every time Wand landed shots and were shaking and gasping every time he got hit. Twas awesome.

11/20/11 8:25 AM by Tankhead

Glad Wand walked away with the win. Dudes like the mascot for MMA. I always root for Wandy.

11/20/11 8:21 AM by Misoza

As soon as Wand brought out the clinch and knees, the room I was watching in erupted.

11/20/11 8:18 AM by Jobe Watson the Bomber

Those knees were brutal and as sadistic as it sounds, I was a happy man watching Wand land those knees. Props to Cung Le as well, it was a great fight. The seasoned vets in Wand, Shogun and Hendo really shined.

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