Dana White was seething with anger following the UFC’s first event in Abu Dhabi.
In April 2010, MMA’s premier promotion took its biggest star, Anderson Silva, to the Middle East.
The former middleweight champion, who is widely regarded as one of the best fighters of all time, was deep into his 185lb reign when he was matched up against submission specialist Demian Maia at UFC 112.
‘The Spider’ looked quick and deadly during the first two rounds, but did more showboating than fighting as the contest progressed. Ultimately, he cruised to a lopsided decision win that left fans booing and Dana White furious.
Dana White reacts to the UFC 112 main event
The UFC boss almost always puts the belt around the champion’s waist after title fights in the Octagon.
However, he left Silva vs Maia early, so that honor was given to the Brazilian knockout artist’s manager, Ed Soares.
“I don’t think I’ve been more embarrassed in the 10 years of being in this business,” White said after branding Silva vs Maia a ‘disgrace’ during the UFC 112 post-fight press conference.
“It’s the first I’ve ever walked out on a main event, given the belt to the guy’s manager, and told him to put it on him.
“I apologize. I don’t know how yet, but I will make it up to the fans that bought this s— tonight.”
He added: “Nobody had been more supportive of Anderson Silva than me, talking about him being the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
“Even after a couple goofy performances, I’ll call them, I still stood behind him and supported him.
“If you’re that talented, be Mike Tyson. Go in and finish it in two minutes.”
Anderson Silva insists he will never retire
Silva’s winning run continued for five more fights before he was made to pay for showboating.
The 49-year-old was knocked out cold when he pretended to be rocked by Chris Weidman at UFC 162 in July 2013.
A rematch ended in a devastating leg break for Silva, who won one of his last nine fights in the UFC.
However, he’s since proven that age is just a number by launching a successful career in boxing.
Silva picked up high-profile wins over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and fellow MMA legend Tito Ortiz before going the distance with Jake Paul in October 2022.
Fans can expect to see more of Silva after his stunning admission about his fighting future.
“Never,” he said when boxing legend Andre Ward asked him about retirement. “I train every day. Physical training every day, two days a week I train Jiu-Jitsu, and yesterday I trained in boxing, and also Muay Thai.
“You know the special force in the Army? That’s the same [with me]. I’m ready. I just need a few things.
“I just need ‘where’, an opponent, and the weight. I train every day… I’m not done fighting.”
