The party was all the crowd's. Photo: UFC.
What most impressed Dana White when the UFC set up shop in Brazil was the crowd present in the HSBC Arena.
There’s no denying that the fine displays from the fighters helped liven things up for those in attendance. Minotauro once again showed his knack for overcoming setbackd, recovering from three surgical operations, a year on ice, and just four months to train, to beat red hot up-and-comer Brendan Schaub.
Shogun showed up in tip-top shape. He left the impression that his loss to Forrest Griffin was indeed a slip-up along the way. On the occasion, the Brazilian wasn’t well. Could another encounter with Jon Jones be in the books?
Now Anderson Silva again put on a show and confirmed he’s leagues ahead of his competition. The “Spider” really does seem to have superpowers, as we said in GRACIEMAG 169 earlier this year. On the occasion we witnessed his bout with Vitor Belfort in Las Vegas.
However, the most striking aspect of UFC Rio – which, where excitement is concerned, totally outdid the Silva-vs.-Belfort show and the so-called “fight of the century” – was the crowd in the stands.
In the video below, which I watched thanks to Thiago Jambo, you can get a sense of what it was like in the arena. Congratulations to all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKuLQDoQb9g
