UFC 234 Results: Massive surprise in the main event, Middleweight title fight canceled

#5 Israel Adesanya vs. Anderson Silva (Middleweight)

The Style Bender vs. The Spider.

The Style Bender surely looked like The Spider but would be able to fight like the legend too? It was finally the time to find out as the impromptu main event of the evening was up next. Let's go!

Round 1: Silva began the fight in the southpaw position as well as Adesanya who mirrored his idol in the early goings of the bout. A lot of flash but not too much work to begin with as both men were cautious. Adesanya kept switching stances as he fought with his hands down, shooting kicks and loose straight punches.

Silva wobbled for a bit as Adesanya connected with the right to the jaw. Silva rushed in after a few minutes of reading Adesanya's movements. Silva landed a body kick and Adesanya avoided a few incoming strikes. Adesanya connected with a solid punch but Silva replied with his usual theatrics. Silva danced around as Adesanya landed with a left. Adesanya then gestured Silva to bring it in his own trademarked style as the round came to a close. That was epic!

10-9 Adesanya

Round 2: Adesanya produced a left jab but Silva looked to counter as he tagged Adesanya with a right. Adesanya faked and feinted to set up a killer shot and then connected with a solid one-two as Silva lowered his guard and shrugged it off by shaking his head. Classic Spider.

Adesanya landed with a left and rushed in again but Silva came up with a good counter right. Silva tried to make the fight ugly as he landed a few strikes in the clinch. Adesanya attacked the lower body of Silva with kicks but the Brazilian kept up the pressure. Adesanya was patient as Silva rose up against the odds and put on a great effort up until this point.

Adesanya edged Silva when it came to the total strikes but Silva continuously looked dangerous, especially when he indulged in some dirty boxing.

Silva ended the round strong as the fans cheered on before the final five minutes got underway!

Close round!

Round 3: 'Silva' chants reverberated around the arena. Adesanya landed with a leg kick, which looked like it hurt but the Spider kept a straight face. Silva caught Adesanya off guard, who slipped, and the Brazilian flew through the air with the flying knee. Adesanya got out of the way and the fight continued. Silva's right eye looked busted as both men got back right into the center of the Octagon with two minutes left on the clock. Adesanya continued to garner points with the leg kicks, which he had been throwing all throughout the fight.

Adesanya went to the body of Silva and the legend asked for more. Adesanya landed four back-to-back shots as Silva demanded more. Weidman vibes!

They closed out the fight by measuring each other. A long, tight hug ensued after which Adesanya lifted Silva's hand in a highlight-reel post-fight moment.

Result: Isreal Adesanya def. Anderson Silva via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

“Thank you for everything” All respect at #UFC234.(Via @UFC)pic.twitter.com/Hn7QXsNPw7

— Bleacher Report MMA (@BR_MMA) February 10, 2019

It was like watching a kickboxing match with 4-ounce gloves as the prodigy and his idol went the distance. Adesanya extended his unblemished record to 16 wins and while he may have been a little annoyed with himself for letting the fight go the complete distance, he got the job done.

Adesanya thanked the fans and Silva before taking a shot at Robert Whittaker in the post-fight interview. He even targeted Kelvin Gastelum who was standing by cage side with a belt around his shoulders.

As for Silva, the Spider said that he loved his job and will continue to fight, possibly in his hometown next. Considering the performance he put on tonight, it does make sense for the future UFC Hall of Famer to stick around for a little more time. He beat the odds and surprised us all to last the entire three-round fight against one of the best strikers in the world. He's 43 years old! Truly gifted!