UFC 168: ‘New’ Anderson Silva is coming to ‘give back the knockout’ to Chris Weidman

Chris Weidman shocked the world and turned the mixed martial arts (MMA) community on its head a few short months ago by knocking out the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion in the second round at UFC 162 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

And he did so fighting at less than full strength.

So what does the former pound-for-pound king, Silva, plan to do about it in their much-anticipated rematch at UFC 168, which is set to go down on Dec. 28, 2013 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in "Sin City?"

Give Weidman a taste of his own medicine, of course, by returning the favor and knocking him out.

"I (will) give back the knockout," said Silva during an interview on The MMA Hour. "I'm working hard now. Chris is the new champion and is a great fighter, but I'm training hard. The new Anderson is coming."

Indeed, Silva proclaimed shortly after his loss that he is "back" and vowed to reclaim his top spot in the division with a victory in the rematch. And while "All American" may have gotten the best of "The Spider" on the feet in their first encounter, Silva doesn't believe the Serra-Longo-trained fighter will want to stand with him again in their rematch.

"I (will) train more jiu-jitsu because Weidman come to fight me and (won't) stand up together in this fight," he said. "Go for the ground, go for the ground. I train more jiu-jitsu, and ninjitsu."

Sure, the Brazilian bomber would love nothing more than to end the fight in impressive fashion, but according to Silva, it isn't necessary in order to reclaim his status as the best 185-pound fighter in the world.

He just needs to have a good day to get the win.

"Come on, bro, definitely no," Silva said. "I'm working hard for a long time. My big goal is train the kids, new athletes coming. I'm normal guy. Sometimes I have good day, sometimes I don't have good day. People will have the new chance to see the real Anderson. It's normal."

What's also normal, is Silva's habit to taunt his opponent inside the cage by putting his hands down and mock them. It didn't work out too well for him against Weidman, who managed to clip him right on the chin in the middle of his customary antics.

But, fight fans -- much like Weidman is doing -- should count on a more focused and "serious" Silva when the cage doors slam shut in Las Vegas.

But will the results be the same?