Anderson Silva’s advice for Ronda Rousey, and her critics

The UFC G.O.A.T. Anderson Silva appeared recently on the Combate News television show and discussed the fall of former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. ‘Rowdy’ had been on a run that will never be equaled – she won three title defenses in 62 seconds combined. Then she lost her belt to Holly Holm, took time to recover, demanded and received a media blackout, and came back only to lose to new champion Amanda Nunes in 48 seconds.

Rousey had been a fierce champion, proud of her bad reputation, and in defeat the critics were merciless. Some lowlife even vandalized her home with spray paint. The Spider had something to say to the fighter, and to her critics.

Silva defended his UFC middleweight championship a record ten times. Then he got cute with Chris Weidman who knocked him out. Then he broke his leg horribly in the rematch. Then he failed an anti-doping test, which nullified his win over Nick Diaz. Then he lost to Michael Bisping who went on to win his old title. Then he lost to Daniel Cormier. Anderson Silva has no wins in his last five fights. He also lost four times before entering the UFC. Anderson Silva – the G.O.A.T. – knows defeat.

I always dealt very well with defeat, because I’ve had defeats early in my career at a time I couldn’t lose, said Silva, as translated by Fernanda Prates for MMAjunkie. If I lost, I couldn’t provide for my daughter and put money in the house. So losses are part of it.

People need to understand that athletes train very hard to go up there. They train for four, five months. I, for one, at the time when I had the title for eight years, if during all those … years I was champion, if I spent … 10 days with my family, it’s a lot – because I was 100 percent dedicated to fighting and to giving it to my best, to bring some joy to the people. So when something like this happens, of people spray painting, criticizing, calling names, these people need to think about that. Because we’re there to do our jobs and show this work that’s not only ours, but also from a team that dedicated themselves for months.

After her first loss, I sent her a message. Right then, I posted something on social media motivating her. I think regardless of what happened and what will happen in your life, you need to keep your head up because what you did will stay in history. Regardless of wins or losses, you need to care about what you see as the most important in your life.

I hope 2017 is a year of many wins for you and new accomplishments, and that if you keep fighting, that you return well. The way I see it, personally and technically as a fighter, pick your opponents better when you return. Don’t fight someone who’s as active as the champ. I think it was the wrong strategy. I hope you come back. You’re a great athlete. God bless you.

Ronda, when she did the movies, she had time to prepare to fight. It happens. She didn’t fight for a long time, so you lose rhythm, and that gets in the way. Not to take anything away from [Nunes]; she’s having a great moment, and I hope she keeps winning every fight they put in front of her and that she’s the champion for the rest of her career.

But as for Ronda, it happens. These are things that happen. It’s not like, ‘Oh, she should have lost because she’s arrogant.’ No. It happens. You get up there, and you can either win or lose. It’s natural. People need to understand that.

Anderson Silva fights Derek Brunson at UFC 208: Holm vs. de Randamie on February 11, 2017 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.