• UFC 112

Flashy Silva booed after disrespectful victory

Anderson Silva will fight Chael Sonnen next © UFC

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UFC 112 gallery

Anderson Silva took every chapter out of the Bruce Lee handbook and then added several more of his own, but he ultimately disappointed in his unanimous decision victory over Demian Maia at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi.

Silva, riding a 10-fight win streak in the UFC, toyed with, mocked, but failed to finish Maia in the most disrespectful display of striking ever seen inside the Octagon. For two rounds the champion appeared to walk on water as he completely outclassed Maia, but by the end his victory was greeted by chants of "GSP" as Silva took his showboating way too far.

This was Silva's chance to send a message to Georges St-Pierre, who is edging closer to a superfight with the Brazilian, and in the opening two rounds Silva was untouchable as he hit Maia with every trick in the book - plus plenty more yet to be written. Huge leg kicks spun Maia 360 degrees, a spinning back kick landed, before Silva adopted the stance of a sprinter crouching at his starting blocks to mock his opponent.

Next came a crazy hands rush followed by flying knees, the majority of Silva's strikes always connecting. More leg kicks left a dent in Maia's lead leg, but just when Silva had his opponent terrified, he backed off - preferring to slam the canvas in encouragement to Maia than actually engaging himself.

Rounds three, four and five followed the same pattern as Silva danced around his opponent, whose nose was in pieces from the early ambush, refusing to attack when a knockout appeared to be on offer whenever he wanted it. The mocking antics were still there, pretending to collapse with jelly legs when Maia connected, but Silva's impressive attacks had dried up.

No amount of booing or warnings from the referee could encourage Silva to finish the job he started so impressively, leaving Joe Rogan to question the champion's motives after the fight.

"Demian surprised me with his punches," said Silva. "I apologise to everybody, I don't know what got into me tonight. I forgot to be humble, I'm sorry. I'll be better next time."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.