(This story appears in today’s edition of USA TODAY .) By near consensus, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts. His UFC 162 opponent, Chris Weidman , doesn’t disagree, but that could make victory all the sweeter. “I have a lot to showcase, and I’m excited,” Weidman told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “Against Anderson Silva, I get to demonstrate what I’ve been doing in the gym and what I’ve been dying to show other people. It’s a huge platform for me to come out looking like ‘The Man.’” The Silva-Weidman title fight headlines the five-bout main card of UFC 162 on Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET). Weidman (9-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) looks to accomplish what 14 UFC opponents have failed to do in 16 tries: enter the octagon and defeat Silva (33-4 MMA, 16-0 UFC). Weidman, 29, who didn’t begin his pro career until Silva had already defended the UFC belt four times, isn’t trying to belittle the Brazilian’s accomplishments.
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