UFC 2024: Silva's Striking Edge to Overpower Weidman's Grit

The UFC returns to the iconic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on March 30, 2024 with a stacked card featuring some of the sport’s most compelling matchups. Among the highlights is a middleweight clash between grizzled veteran Chris Weidman and the heavy-handed Brazilian striker Bruno Silva.

For the 39-year-old Weidman, this battle represents another opportunity to defy the odds and prove his enduring relevance in one of the UFC’s deepest divisions. The former champion has experienced a roller coaster career trajectory, claiming the middleweight strap with shocking upsets over icons like Anderson Silva, only to then suffer a string of devastating losses and serious injuries that threatened his future in the cage.

Yet “The All American” has proven to be one of the most resilient and tenacious competitors on the roster. With a wrestling-heavy attack and an iron chin, Weidman has remained a perennial dark horse contender even as he’s battled the inevitable ravages of time and mileage. A victory over the streaking Silva would represent one of Weidman’s biggest career achievements in the twilight of his storied run.

For Silva, the 34-year-old powerhouse represents part of the new guard of middleweight talent staking their claim among the weight class’s elite ranks. With a 23-10 professional record, “Blindado” has emerged as one of the division’s most feared strikers, wielding a diverse arsenal of knockout power, sharp counterstriking, and an aggressive, swarming approach.

An analysis of the metrics illustrates just how daunting a challenge awaits the fading Weidman. Silva lands a staggering 4.43 significant strikes per minute at a 51% accuracy clip, dwarfing Weidman’s relatively pedestrian 2.98 strikes landed per minute. Silva’s striking defense has also been stingier, as he avoids 57% of incoming strikes compared to Weidman’s 50% evasion rate.

Where Weidman aims to make his mark is in the grappling exchanges. The American has always relied on his NCAA Division I wrestling pedigree to grind opponents into submission, completing 43% of his takedown attempts while thwarting 65% of his foes’ shot entries. Silva is no slouch in this realm either, but his 27% takedown accuracy coupled with a 73% stuff rate suggests Weidman could find a path to victory by making this an ugly, grinding affair.

Ultimately though, Silva’s ferocious striking prowess and younger legs may prove too formidable of an obstacle for the lionhearted but fading Weidman. While Weidman’s competitive fire and grit cannot be discounted, the ruthlessly efficient strikes of Silva seem poised to eventually find their mark and author another chapter in the Brazilian’s rising legacy.

When the Octagon door shuts in Atlantic City, expect Silva to methodically break down the durable American, earning a late stoppage or definitive decision victory in a manner reminiscent of Weidman’s own shocking conquests of Anderson Silva nearly a decade prior. For the former champ, it may finally signal a curtain call on one of the UFC’s most tenacious and unlikely championship reigns.