MMA and boxing fans were going to be in for a treat between the exhibition matches starring Floyd Mayweather and Anderson Silva. Unfortunately, there was an unexpected death that happened right before this event and caused it to not take place.
It was going to take place in Dubai, with all fighters ready to go. Silva and Mayweather weren't going to box each other, but both were on the card.
Recently, the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, passed away on Friday, May 13. He was 73 years old.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced that there will be 40 days of official mourning with flags at half mast and three days closure of ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels and the private sector,”
With the three-day closure, the event was canceled.
Floyd Mayweather was going to fight in his exhibition match against Don Moore. Don Moore has been one of the most respected boxers to ever play the sport and it certainly would have been a great time watching the two go at it.
Mayweather and Don Moore have never fought before in their careers and because this fight has been canceled and they're both getting up there in age, it's a possibility that the fight never is scheduled again.
Anderson Silva was set to take on UAE Warriors lightweight champion, Bruno Machado. Bruno Machado is also somebody who has been known throughout the past few years as being one of the top MMA fighters in the world. He's only 15-9, but he's certainly better than his record shows as he's currently on a six-fight win streak.
Because it was an exhibition fight, it's still unknown at the moment if it's going to take place once again. It could be a good idea if the event was rescheduled just because of some of the high-profile names that are on the card, but no word has been given from any aside just yet. It would make sense if after they mourn the death of their president that they go back out there and compete.
We also have to factor in that Floyd Mayweather and Anderson Silva are getting up there in age. Anderson Silva is already 47 years old and although he's still in incredible shape, it's tough to keep fighting at that age.
