Sherdog’s Top 10: Canceled Fights

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3. Anderson Silva vs. Matt Hughes
UFC 36 “World Collide” | March 22, 2002

No canceled fight better encapsulates the what-ifs and the path not taken than the bout between UFC welterweight champion Hughes and future middleweight champion and all-time great Silva that was scheduled for UFC 36. Hughes was the newly crowned king at 170 pounds, having slammed Carlos Newton into unconsciousness at UFC 34, and the promotion scoured the globe for the finest welterweight to challenge him.

It settled on Chute Boxe’s Silva, a monster of a prospect who had just taken a hard-fought decision from the previously undefeated Hayato Sakurai to win the Shooto world title at 168 pounds. Although he was still relatively raw, without the preternatural defense or fully fleshed game that he would show later on, Silva’s instincts, athleticism, speed and next-level striking were already present in spades. So, too, was his trademark swagger, and it was clear that there was something special waiting to erupt.

Unfortunately, Silva could not take the fight. He was already under exclusive contract with Pride, and it would not allow him to take the fight in the United States against Hughes. Instead, Sakurai, the man Silva had just defeated, took his place. Hughes defeated “Mach” with ease, taking down Sakurai nine times and finishing him with strikes from the mount in the fourth round. Meanwhile, Silva went on to an up-and-down career in Japan, winning several fights in spectacular fashion while managing to find ways to lose others in bizarre and unexpected ways.

One can only wonder what would have happened if Silva had taken on Hughes all the way back in 2002. Would Hughes’ powerful wrestling and top game have prevailed over Silva, or would the Brazilian have pummeled the lesser striker on the feet? If Silva had defeated Hughes, would he have stayed at welterweight? Would he have stayed at Chute Boxe forever, and if so, would he ever have developed his trademark mishmash of unreal striking skills? We will never know.

Number 2 » Cancellation Notice