Anderson Silva Against Ryo Chonan Full Fight Crazy Submission
You may find this hard to believe but MMA legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva did lose in the earlier part of his career. Here he is taking on Ryo Chonan at the PRIDE Shockwave 2004. In what would become known as one of the slickest submissions in mixed martial arts history.
Chonan entered the contest as an underdog against the very highly rated Silva. Prior to this fight, Chonan had also commented that it would his toughest fight to date.
He had also beaten another big name in Carlos Newton, in a fight he was not supposed to win. So it is obvious that Ryo was somewhat of an undervalued fighter who seemed to shine under the big lights.
But his fight with Silva is one of those standout contests where everyone believed they already knew the outcome. However, when the reality of what takes place happens, it left those watching speechless.
Silva vs Chonan Round One
And as the fight got underway, we saw some tense moments as both fighters tentatively probed for an opening. With both circling, strikes were few and far between as neither man wanted to leave themselves open. And it wasn’t until Ryo landed a big overhand right that stunned Silva.
Appearing to flip a switch, Anderson charged forward and landed several shots. Before the pair would clinch up and bring the fight to the mat. With Silva taking the back, he managed to lock in a triangle around the body. Holding Chonan in place as he looked to secure the rear-naked choke.
But after several unsuccessful attempts. Chonan was able to reverse the position and move into mount. Once again ending up in Silva’s guard, landing some solid shots in the process. And it was a position and scenario that continued for several minutes. With some good strikes from the top and with Silva bloodying up the nose of Ryo from the bottom.
However, the referee decides to bring the fight back to the feet, while in the process issuing a yellow card to Silva.
And back on their feet both land some good strikes, with Silva getting the better of the exchanges. A spinning back fist attempt from Chonan misses as they one again both end up on the ground. However, neither man is happy for the fight to stay there as they get back to their feet. Bringing an end to the first round of their fight.
Round Two
Silva opens the second round by going straight after his opponent. Landing some stinging punches and kicks, on the feet he appears to be the superior striker. With the Brazilian beginning to use more of his Muay Thai, including a beautiful knee. But Ryo is not going anywhere as the fight once again goes to the ground.
With the Japanese fighter taking top position. He continues to land some stinging strikes, as Anderson looks for a way to either escape of land some of his own. But with the clock ticking down and with nothing significant in terms of damage, it looks like it might be another round in the bag for Chonan.
Round Three
As round three gets underway, Silva opens up with some punches. To which Ryo replies with his low kick which has peppered the fight. And as the pair exchange, Anderson lands some hard punches, followed by a high kick which Ryo ducks under. As the two circle around the ring with some beautiful exchanges.
But Anderson needs to stop his opponent to take the fight. And right now he is circling away as Chonan marches forward, from the outside looking like the agressor. With a few more low kicks and punches that don’t seem to have much of an effect. Ryo shoots in for a leg lock and almost instantly forces Silva to tap out!
It was a back and forth fight with both men having their moments. But it’s fair to say that neither fighter was getting the better of the other, except on a few occasions. In what was probably the best performance of Chonan’s career. With a finish that would forever be remembered by the MMA world against perhaps the pound for pound greatest.
So we hope you enjoyed this classic Pride FC battle. Where The Spider was eventually brought down by a tenacious and tactical Pirhana in the prime of his career. But it would be one of the very few times where he would suffer a loss. In an outstanding display of skills by the Japanese fighter, Silva was forced to wilt.