Chris Weidman: Anderson Silva is Beatable, Not a Mythical Creature

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“I was convinced Chris [Weidman] could do something to shock the world and beat Anderson Silva,” Submission coach John Danaher tells Fighters Only magazine inside their latest issue, which is due to his newsstands in the US on Aug. 27. “People don’t realize that in order to do something great you yourself have to be great. You have to have the seeds of greatness inside you to perform great actions.”

Chris Weidman, of course, captured the UFC middleweight belt at UFC 162, dethroning pound-for-pound standout Anderson Silva in the process. The two are set for a return at UFC 168 on Dec. 28, in a rematch Weidman tells the magazine he was expecting long before the first fight ended.

Weidman, in an exclusive with Fighters Only editor Nick Peet, goes on to say: “He has to fight me to get himself back on track, and I knew he wasn’t going to retire, so, yeah, his only option is to have the rematch. Once he took a couple of days and started thinking straight again, it was inevitable we were going to agree to a second fight. And I know he’ll come back stronger, better and more determined to beat me, but I’ll be ready for that.”

And the new UFC 185-pound No. 1 also reveals Anderson’s aura of invincibility never fazed him heading into their first fight, despite the former champion's record breaking reign and unbeaten run. And he doesn't expect him to play a part in the rematch either.

“So many people build Anderson up and he’s almost thought of as this mythical creature,” Weidman states. “That he could beat six guys at once, and he could knock me out any time he wants to. People really have these crazy thoughts about him, they actually think he’s, like, beyond great. But to me he’s only ever just been another human guy, and one that I think I’m better than.”

For the full interview don't miss the next issue of Fighters Only when it lands in North America next week, when it will also be available on iTunes Newsstand, Kindle and Zinio.

Also, inside the next issue of Fighters Only; photographer Tom Bear spends a day training with resurgent Blackzilians light heavyweight Thiago Silva; Alexander Gustaffson predicts another upset when he faces UFC champ Jon Jones; Erick Silva explains how losing is the key to greatness; Shawn Jordan reveals his blueprint from college football star to UFC prospect.

The October 2013 issue of Fighters Only Magazine goes on sale in the U.S. and Canada Aug. 27. It’s also available online via iTunes Newsstand, Kindle and Zinio. Visit www.fightersonlymag.com for subscription details.