Coming off an underwhelming October bout with Patrick Cote, the world expected a contrite Anderson Silva to put on a vintage performance against Thales Leites. Unfortunately, Silva's latest outing was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
However, UFC 97 in Montreal was not all bad for Brazilians, as two of the nation’s top 205-pounders made serious statements.
Hot prospect Luis Arthur Cane took on his toughest task to date in former World Extreme Cagefighting champion Steve Cantwell and handled himself like a veteran, as he earned a scrappy decision and access to the division’s more notable fighters. Meanwhile, the division's former king, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, signaled his return to prominence at 205 pounds, as he took a sterling first-round stoppage over Chuck Liddell.