Uriah Hall Compares Performance to Silva vs. Adesanya: ‘I Was the Guy That Finished It’

Uriah Hall became a part of history on Saturday night when he shared the Octagon with Anderson Silva in what will likely be the legendary Brazilian’s final UFC bout.

After a slow start, Hall gathered his composure and floored “The Spider” twice en route to a technical knockout victory at the at the 1:24 mark of Round 4. Shortly after the finish, the two middleweights shared an emotional moment of mutual respect in the cage. Hall was brought to tears by the exchange.

“It’s hard to describe when you’re in it. But just to share that moment, knowing it could be his last bout and him knowing how much I respect him, I couldn’t hold [the emotion] back. I feel good to have shared that moment. That was really important,” Hall said.

“I know for a fact that we respected each other. We were both trying not to show that as much. But we have so much respect for each other. We had to separate that. There’s nothing bad I can say about the guy. He knew I looked up to him and followed most of his career. It was separating that and becoming martial artists to help each other grow. I’m just so proud of that moment.”

"I love you. I'm so sorry."

After defeating his idol, @UriahHallMMA shared a special moment with @SpiderAnderson in the Octagon after #UFCVegas12 pic.twitter.com/cQxAXtwUCD

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 1, 2020

Silva was once regarded by many as the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighter. The former middleweight champion still holds the UFC record for longest winning streak (16) and is tied for first all-time with 11 career KO/TKO triumphs. Hall himself was compared to Silva during his rise to prominence on Season 17 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

“When you think of UFC, you can’t not think of Anderson Silva,” Hall said. “There are so many great champs, but for what he did and how he did it. I have so much respect for him and his family. I’m sad his kids had to witness that, but it’s work.”

By finishing Silva, Hall was able to accomplish something that reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya couldn’t when he took a three-round verdict over “The Spider” in their headlining matchup at UFC 234 (The fight was three rounds because it was elevated to main-event status on short notice). Coincidentally, Adesanya was in attendance at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas for Hall vs. Silva.

“I know he danced with Anderson, and I was the guy that finished it,” Hall said. “I know there’s an age difference. … He’s the champ. He had to do what he had to do to get to where he is. There’s respect. I knew he was out here. My guess, he was trying to see holes in me or give Anderson the rematch. I thought I looked sloppy out there.”