UFC 183
UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on January 31, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1][2][3] The card consisted of 11 fights, headlined by a five-round middleweight bout between former UFC champion Anderson Silva, returning from an 18-month suspension for a failed performance-enhancing drug test in his prior loss to Chris Weidman, and Nick Diaz, who had retired two years earlier but accepted the fight on short notice after Chris Weidman's injury withdrawal.[1][4][5] Silva dominated the fight with superior striking and movement, securing a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 50-45, 50-45), though the bout was later ruled a no contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after Silva tested positive for Drostanolone metabolites in a post-fight sample, marking his second confirmed PED violation in under two years and resulting in an additional one-year suspension.[6][7][4] Other notable main card matchups included former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida's technical knockout win over Gegard Mousasi via upkick, and Tyron Woodley's split decision victory against Kelvin Gastelum in a welterweight bout that foreshadowed Woodley's future title contention, while the preliminary card featured emerging talents like Robert Whittaker defeating Brad Tavares by unanimous decision.[8][9] The event underscored ongoing debates in MMA over drug testing rigor and fighter longevity, drawing over 12,000 attendees and generating significant pay-per-view interest despite the shadow of Silva's history of failed tests, which some analysts argued undermined the sport's integrity claims.[10][11]Background
Event Details and Promotion
UFC 183 took place on January 31, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, serving as the promotion's first numbered pay-per-view event of the year.[3][8] The event featured 11 bouts, headlined by a middleweight clash between former champion Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz.[2] The card was heavily promoted around Silva's return to the Octagon after sustaining a severe leg injury in his 2013 loss to Chris Weidman and subsequent suspension, positioning it as a high-stakes comeback for the Brazilian, who had previously defended the middleweight title 10 times over a near seven-year reign from 2006 to 2013.[12][1] Broadcast coverage included the main card on pay-per-view starting at 10:00 p.m. ET, preliminary bouts on Fox Sports 1 from 8:00 p.m. ET, and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.[13] The event drew an announced attendance of 13,114, generating a live gate of $4.5 million.[14]Main Event Selection
The main event for UFC 183, scheduled for January 31, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, was announced on July 29, 2014, as a middleweight bout between former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz.[15] Silva, holding a professional record of 33-6 entering the matchup, was making his Octagon return after suffering a severe leg fracture during his technical knockout loss to Chris Weidman at UFC 168 on December 28, 2013, which had sidelined him for over a year.[16] Diaz, with a 26-9 record, sought a signature victory after dropping decisions to Carlos Condit at UFC 154 on November 17, 2012, and Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158 on March 16, 2013, both at welterweight; he vacated his Strikeforce welterweight title in 2012 amid inactivity and moved up to 185 pounds for this contest.[17] The UFC positioned the fight as a compelling stylistic clash, contrasting Silva's elite counter-striking accuracy and distance management—evident in his 16-fight UFC winning streak from 2006 to 2013—with Diaz's high-volume pressure, Stockton slap boxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappling offense, including five submission wins in his career.[18] Promotional materials emphasized the bout's draw as a "superfight" between two polarizing figures known for highlight-reel finishes and verbal sparring, capitalizing on Silva's status as the division's longest-reigning champion (2,457 days) and Diaz's reputation for durable, forward-marching assaults that had tested elite competition.[5] This pairing aimed to headline a pay-per-view event amid Silva's recovery timeline and Diaz's quest for relevance following a two-year layoff.[15]Supporting Card Assembly
The supporting card for UFC 183 was constructed to complement the main event by incorporating bouts with divisional stakes, pitting established contenders against emerging prospects across multiple weight classes to maximize competitive intrigue and viewer engagement. A key featured matchup on the pay-per-view portion paired welterweight striker Tyron Woodley, known for his knockout power and wrestling base, against Kelvin Gastelum, an undefeated former The Ultimate Fighter winner transitioning from middleweight amid prior weight-cut difficulties, positioning the fight as a test of Gastelum's potential in the 170-pound division.[19][20] This bout carried implications for welterweight rankings, as a Gastelum victory could accelerate his ascent while validating Woodley's contention credentials following inconsistent results.[21] Additional main card fights emphasized stylistic contrasts and veteran-prospect dynamics, such as lightweight grappler Joe Lauzon, a submission specialist with a history of highlight-reel finishes, against Al Iaquinta, a precise boxer seeking to solidify his standing in a stacked division.[8] In middleweight action, Tim Boetsch, a power puncher rebounding from losses, met Thales Leites, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with submission expertise, offering both a pathway toward renewed title contention.[22] The welterweight preliminary bout between Thiago Alves, a former title challenger with elite Muay Thai striking, and Jordan Mein, a Canadian knockout artist, further deepened the card's appeal by blending experience with aggressive finishing potential.[3] Preliminary card selections focused on women's bantamweight depth with Miesha Tate, a former Strikeforce champion and grappling standout, versus Sara McMann, an Olympic wrestler, a matchup with direct bearing on contention behind champion Ronda Rousey.[19] Bantamweight veteran Ildemar Alcantara faced Masanori Kanehara, highlighting Alcantara's versatile skill set against Kanehara's durable wrestling style to spotlight international talent.[22] The UFC's approach integrated fan-draw veterans like Lauzon and Tate with prospects such as Iaquinta and Gastelum to broaden marketability, while avoiding over-reliance on unproven names; the card underwent no major alterations in the lead-up to weigh-ins on January 30, 2015, maintaining its announced structure.[8][23]Pre-Event Context
Anderson Silva's Suspension and Return
Anderson Silva's positive drug test following UFC 168 on December 28, 2013, involved drostanolone, an anabolic steroid, and androstane, detected in a urine sample collected on January 9, 2014.[24] The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) imposed a one-year suspension on Silva, effective from the date of the violation, along with a $70,000 fine from his prior purse, though he maintained the loss to Chris Weidman stood without reversal.[24] Silva attributed the result to a contaminated sexual enhancement supplement, but the NSAC rejected this explanation as insufficient, citing inconsistencies in his testimony and the substances' performance-enhancing properties.[25] Compounding the suspension, Silva underwent surgery on December 30, 2013, to repair his fractured tibia and fibula from the fight's second round, with an initial recovery estimate of three to six months before resuming training.[26] By mid-2014, after completing rehabilitation and serving the bulk of his ban, Silva received medical clearance from physicians, allowing light training to resume around August 2014, roughly nine months post-injury.[12] This timeline aligned with the suspension's expiration, positioning him for a UFC return by late 2014, amid heightened scrutiny on his regulatory compliance given prior dominance marred by the violation.[24] Prior to the suspension, Silva had established an unparalleled record as UFC middleweight champion from 2006 to 2013, achieving 10 successful title defenses—a benchmark of empirical superiority through knockouts, submissions, and decisions against elite competition.[27] This era contrasted sharply with the post-violation landscape, where UFC protocols, previously reliant on state commissions like NSAC with inconsistent out-of-competition testing, faced criticism for lax enforcement; Silva's case underscored the push toward stricter measures, culminating in the UFC's December 2014 announcement of a partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), effective January 1, 2015, mandating year-round testing to verify clean competition.[28] His clearance for UFC 183 thus required passing pre-fight NSAC tests under this transitional rigor, emphasizing sustained compliance over past achievements.[29]Nick Diaz's Preparation and History
Nick Diaz, born and raised in Stockton, California, built his mixed martial arts foundation on wrestling from high school tournaments and Brazilian jiu-jitsu training under Cesar Gracie, emphasizing pressure wrestling, ground control, and submissions.[30] His style incorporated relentless cardio developed through triathlons, running, and swimming regimens, allowing sustained high-output pacing over five-round fights.[31] Entering UFC 183 with a professional record of 26-9, Diaz aimed to revive his career after welterweight title losses, including a unanimous decision defeat to champion Georges St-Pierre on March 16, 2013, at UFC 158, and a second-round TKO (doctor stoppage due to cuts) against Carlos Condit on February 4, 2012, at UFC 143.[32] These bouts underscored his durability amid disputed scoring and injuries, with Diaz maintaining an aggressive volume-striking approach despite welterweight setbacks. Diaz's anti-establishment reputation stemmed from vocal critiques of UFC pay structures, judging inconsistencies, and regulatory bodies, often refusing media obligations or title shots on principle, which positioned him as a resilient outsider in the sport.[34] He had incorporated marijuana as a self-described recovery aid, leading to prior Nevada State Athletic Commission sanctions: a six-month suspension in 2007 for elevated THC levels and a one-year suspension plus fine in May 2012 following the Condit fight, though neither resulted in long-term bans as marijuana was deemed non-performance-enhancing then.[35] In late December 2014, Diaz accepted the UFC 183 main event on approximately six weeks' notice after middleweight champion Chris Weidman withdrew due to a rib injury, shifting from welterweight to face Anderson Silva at 185 pounds.[36] Preparation centered on weight acclimation while prioritizing his wrestling base and endurance to counter Silva's striking, motivated by financial incentives and a chance to prove doubters wrong after nearly two years inactive.[37]Weigh-Ins and Press Conference Highlights
The official weigh-ins for UFC 183 occurred on January 2, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, drawing a large crowd to witness the formalities ahead of the event. Anderson Silva, returning after a suspension, stepped on the scale at 186 pounds, while Nick Diaz weighed in at 185 pounds, both within the allowances for a non-title middleweight bout under UFC rules permitting up to one pound over the 185-pound limit.[38][2] No significant incidents marred the main event fighters' weigh-ins, though co-main event participant Kelvin Gastelum's miss at 180 pounds for the 170-pound welterweight limit elicited boos from attendees and heightened tension in the welterweight matchup against Tyron Woodley.[39] Pre-fight media events, including a January 22 media call and subsequent faceoffs, featured pointed exchanges that amplified promotional hype. Nick Diaz, leveraging his reputation for verbal provocations, targeted Silva's age—nearing 40—and 17-month layoff due to a prior steroid suspension, questioning the Brazilian's sharpness and readiness against active competition.[40][41] Silva responded with characteristic poise, emphasizing his experience and focus on performance over banter, while avoiding escalation during the staredown at weigh-ins where the pair briefly embraced.[42] These interactions underscored the narrative of a faded legend versus a gritty challenger, fueling fan interest in the clash of styles and histories without derailing the professional atmosphere.[43]Fight Card and Results
Main Card Breakdown
The main card commenced with a lightweight bout between Al Iaquinta and Joe Lauzon. Iaquinta secured a technical knockout victory via punches to the head in the clinch at 3:34 of the second round, after absorbing early pressure but countering effectively to drop Lauzon and follow up with ground strikes.[44][19] Iaquinta outlanded Lauzon in significant strikes 59 of 154 to 32 of 86, while achieving the bout's lone successful takedown out of three attempts.[44] In the welterweight matchup, Tyron Woodley defeated Kelvin Gastelum by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). The fight remained predominantly standing with no successful takedowns, as Gastelum edged significant strikes landed 32 of 143 to Woodley's 27 of 104, though Woodley's power shots and defensive wrestling influenced the close scoring.[45][8] Luke Rockhold claimed the co-main event middleweight clash against Michael Bisping via TKO (punches) at 4:57 of the second round. Rockhold hurt Bisping with a knee to the body in the first round and capitalized in the second by dropping him with a left hand before finishing with ground-and-pound, marking a pivotal win that elevated Rockhold's status in the division.[19][8] The main event pitted former middleweight champion Anderson Silva against Nick Diaz in a five-round bout. Silva won by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45), dominating at range with precise counters and front kicks while taunting throughout. The fight featured negligible grappling, with zero successful takedowns and minimal control time (Silva 0:03, Diaz 0:02), as Silva outlanded Diaz in significant strikes 108 of 217 to 77 of 223.[7][19][8]Preliminary Card Outcomes
The preliminary card for UFC 183 consisted of six bouts, four of which went to decisions while two ended in stoppages, contributing to a mix of competitive and decisive outcomes across the Fight Pass and Fox Sports 1 broadcasts.[3]| Bout | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleweight | Ildemar Alcântara | Richardson Moreira | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Middleweight | Thiago Santos | Andy Enz | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:56 |
| Middleweight | Rafael Natal | Tom Watson | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Flyweight | Ian McCall | John Lineker | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Middleweight | Derek Brunson | Ed Herman | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 0:36 |
| Women's Bantamweight | Miesha Tate | Sara McMann | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
Technical and Strategic Highlights
In the main event, Anderson Silva demonstrated effective use of distance management and counter-striking against Nick Diaz's forward pressure, landing 108 of 217 significant strikes (49% accuracy) compared to Diaz's 77 of 223 (34% accuracy), with both fighters focusing heavily on leg strikes (34-35% of targets landed).[7] [7] Silva's output included precise front kicks to the body and low leg kicks that visibly impaired Diaz's mobility over five rounds, while Diaz generated volume through straight punches and combinations but absorbed higher damage without successful takedown entries (0 of 1 attempted).[7] Ground control was minimal, totaling under seven seconds combined, underscoring a stand-up emphasis atypical for Diaz's grappling background.[7]| Fighter | Sig. Strikes Landed/Attempted | Takedowns Landed/Attempted | Control Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Silva | 108/217 (49%) | 0/0 | 0:03 |
| Nick Diaz | 77/223 (34%) | 0/1 (0%) | 0:02 |