Thousands showed up for the UFC 117 weigh-ins this Friday in Oakland, California. Obviously, the stars of the main event, Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, were the ones everyone was most eager to see.
Sonnen taunted Anderson again but was promptly booed, proof MMA fans look beyond national borders, that what counts is the fans’ admiration for each individual fighter.
Anderson, whose stock had dropped since his controversial presentation against Demian Maia, seems to have won back some of the supporters he had lost for his odd behavior. But Sonnen may have played a role in that with his constant provocations.
In the traditional staredown, the “Spider” chose not to look his opponent in the face and bore an unfriendly expression, and afterwards made a humble statement:
“I’d like to thank everyone for the affection. I make mistakes like everyone, and I hope to have a great fight,” he said.
Check out the video of Anderson and Sonnen at the weigh-ins and photos of the participants in the main event by Josh Hedges.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQUDl96L9WA
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