The 6 Best Photos From UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar

As the old saying goes “a picture is worth a thousand words”. The saying applies to this day and without a doubt, applies to mixed martial arts as some of the sports most historic moments are relived through the images that captured them.

There is nothing better than a snapshot of a fighter dealing with tragedy or triumph, or a picture of a perfectly timed strike, every microscopic fragment of impact relived as limbs and jaws collide. A photo can display a range of emotions, happiness and sadness, victory and defeat. Every picture is different, each having a unique distinction and personal story.

That being said, let’s look back at the 6 best photos from UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar.

6. A Wonderful Submission
Phil Davis picked up one of the slickest submission wins you will ever see when he choked out Wagner Prado in the second round of their light heavyweight rematch at UFC 153. In classic “Mr. Wonderful” fashion, Davis completely controlled his opponent on the ground and bided his time to strike. Davis saw Prado’s exposed neck, locked in the anaconda choke, rolled to apply pressure and had his hand raised moments later.

5. Fitch Nearly Finishes
Jon Fitch nearly earned his first submission win since 2007 when he trapped Erick Silva’s left arm in an arm-bar during the second round of their welterweight affair. Fitch’s technique was slightly off which allowed Silva to escape, however, the American Kickboxing Academy product proved he has more to offer than simply maintaining position and throwing ineffective punches.

4. Three Years Of Waiting Comes To An End
After going over three years without a submission win, multi-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Demian Maia showed he still has the grappling prowess to submit opponents at the highest level when he quickly dismantled of Rick Story in the opening fight of the UFC 153 pay-per-view broadcast. Maia pushed his record in the UFC welterweight division to 2-0 while Story suffered first submission loss of his professional career.

3. Improved Striking On Display
“The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” winner Rony “Jason” Mariano Bezerra was said to be a dead man walking if he chose to strike with the heavy-handed Sam Sicilia at UFC 153. Not only did Mariano Bezerra stand and trade with Sicilia, but he finished the fight with his much improved striking with a TKO win in the second round. Mariano Bezerra connected with a number of solid strikes, few more perfect than a first-round flying knee.

2. Give Me Your Best Shot
Anderson Silva is truly one of a kind. Let’s get this straight, Stephan Bonnar does not hit lightly by any stretch of the imagination. However, that didn’t stop Silva from putting his hands by his sides and completely toying with “The American” Psycho” by letting Bonnar land clean head strikes with his back against the cage. In some crazy way, it was all part of Silva’s master plan as one small mistake by Bonnar led to the end of the fight.

1. Wagner Prado Does His Best Anderson Silva Impression
Even though he was handily defeated by Phil Davis, Brazilian Wagner Prado nearly decapitated “Mr. Wonderful” with an Anderson Silva-esque front kick to the face. Had Prado connected flush with the kick he would likely be cashing a nice check for “Knockout of the Night”. However, mixed martial arts is a game of inches and Davis went on to defeat Prado via second-round submission.

Honorable Mention

Mike Bohn, founder and lead writer of FightCove.com, wrote this article. You can follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBohnMMA. Also, follow @FightCove on Twitter and “Like” Fight Cove on Facebook.