“Yeah, a chance to fight the greatest pound-for-pound in the world in a place like Brazil is just crazy,” he said. “It feels like I’m in a movie.”

Bonnar is no fool. He is aware that he’ll be considered a historic underdog at UFC 153. He also knows the limitations of his fighting style. That doesn’t make it any less exciting for him to step in with Silva. After all, this is what he wanted. A fight against a big name. A fight against someone who mattered, even if it wasn’t for a title.

It was almost a vindication of his career philosophy.

“I just did it for fun, not really for any belts,” he said of his career, speaking in the past tense like the retired fighter he was just a few weeks ago. “And now I’m fighting the greatest pound-for-pound guy who’s been the champion for a long time and it’s not for a belt. And you think if I pull off an upset against Anderson Silva, it’s not going to be as sweet because it’s not for a belt? Hell no. It’s going to be the greatest moment of my life.

read entire article…