Chris Weidman beats Anderson Silva to become new UFC middleweight champion

Silva talked, taunted and dared Weidman to engage him. When the champion lowered his hands early in the second round, Weidman caught him with a short left that sent the MMA star to the mat.

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Chris Weidman became the new UFC middleweight champion on Saturday night. Photo: AP

Published: 4:48pm, 7 Jul 2013Updated: 5:03pm, 7 Jul 2013

Chris Weidman sent a shock wave through mixed martial arts, stopping Anderson Silva in the second round of the main event at UFC 162 to become the new middleweight champion on Saturday night.

Silva talked, taunted and dared Weidman to engage him. When the champion lowered his hands early in the second round, Weidman caught him with a short left that sent the MMA star to the mat. Weidman pounced and landed a few more shots that forced referee Herb Dean to stop the fight at 1:18.

“I felt destined for this,” Weidman said. “It was far-fetched, but I imagined it so many times before in my head.”

The win put an end to Silva’s nearly seven-year reign atop the UFC middleweight division and his 17-fight win streak.

Chris Weidman lands a punch on Anderson Silva during their UFC 162 middleweight championship bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday. Photo: AP

I felt destined for this ... It was far-fetched, but I imagined it so many times before in my head

“I worked for this fight, Chris Weidman is the best now. He is the champion,” Silva said. “I’ve had the belt for a long time. I’m tired.”