Sonnen 2 and Bonnar was the perfect 1-2 punch for Anderson to retire on

[Not A Real Fan]

Sonnen was his greatest nemesis and record 10th title defense. He could have retired right afterward. But maybe he wanted to fight in Brazil one last time. Fair enough. His clowning of Bonnar was quintessential Anderson.

He would be the undeniable GOAT with an unblemished reputation had he called it quits in 2012.

Instead we get a KO, leg break, PED bust, etc.

Such a shame.

 

[Polish Machine]

Then we wouldn't see him hook up with Chris.

 

[Breaking]

Sucks to see him go out like this...

Maybe is normal.

 

[Death By Samson]

Very rarely is an athlete in any sport willing to walk away while still on top.

 

[gspieler]

It would've been best for his legacy, sure. Some would still call him the GOAT.

 

[MEAN357]

yea woulda been epic to ride off into the sunset off that, but how could he? had to stick around with all that momentum

 

[ExitLUPin]

That wouldve been funny considering Shale and Bonnars failed drug tests.

If Anderson had retired following Bonnar win, the world would have seen him as the GOAT MW and a guy who routinely found ways to beat some fighters who were using banned substances. Meanwhile they wouldve believed Anderson was a clean athlete and martial artists only relying on technique/natural athleticism..........

Welp
lol at least the world knows the truth

 

[TheNightmanCometh]

Sonnen was his greatest nemesis and record 10th title defense. He could have retired right afterward. But maybe he wanted to fight in Brazil one last time. Fair enough. His clowning of Bonnar was quintessential Anderson.

He would be the undeniable GOAT with an unblemished reputation had he called it quits in 2012.

Instead we get a KO, leg break, PED bust, etc.

Such a shame.

Perhaps if you ever become as good at something as Anderson Silva is at fighting you might understand why he continues to fight.

 

[CrimsonFan]

I think he can still go out on a good note. Just needs some easier competition

 

[Not A Real Fan]

That wouldve been funny considering Shale and Bonnars failed drug tests.

If Anderson had retired following Bonnar win, the world would have seen him as the GOAT MW and a guy who routinely found ways to beat some fighters who were using banned substances. Meanwhile they wouldve believed Anderson was a clean athlete and martial artists only relying on technique/natural athleticism..........

Welp
lol

Would have been awesome.

 

[Verace]

what are you guys talking about? andy just knocked out the current champ with a flying knee

 

[bad seed]

Sonnen was his greatest nemesis and record 10th title defense. He could have retired right afterward. But maybe he wanted to fight in Brazil one last time. Fair enough. His clowning of Bonnar was quintessential Anderson.

He would be the undeniable GOAT with an unblemished reputation had he called it quits in 2012.

Instead we get a KO, leg break, PED bust, etc.

Such a shame.

it sounds like a good idea in hindsight, but at the time he felt invincible and was finally making a million+ per fight. Would you walk away from your peak earning stage?

 

[BrazilianDude]

I agree. If he retired after the Bonnar fight it would have been a perfect UFC career.

 

[killerkalibur]

Its hard to retire when you know you can make a nice paycheck the next fight. The reason most fighter do not retire is less about being a fighter and more about the paycheck. When you are the best you are guaranteed a nice paycheck.

Hendo just got a big knockout and should probably retire but he will continue fighting as long as he is making 500K a fight.

 

[Brit_Brawler]

In hindsight id say so since his career went to shit and he never won again after that (yet)

 

[Nihilism]

That would have been horse shit, as many were expecting Weidman to cream him.

 

[GrantB13]

In hindsight of course. He was taking control of Weidman in the second round of the first fight before he threw it away. Things could've been different.

 

[mjfan23]

Spider was an extra in bispings title run movie so he couldn't retire earlier

 

[BeerAndKush]

Perhaps if you ever become as good at something as Anderson Silva is at fighting you might understand why he continues to fight.

 

[Magnum1978]

Yep, and Fedor should have retired after KOing Rogers into Bolivian