LEGENDS AT PLAY

Anderson "THE SPIDER" Silva & Georges "RUSH" St-Pierre

March 21, 2014 - Anderson Silva’s Muay-Thai College Torrence, CA.

Around the time Anderson Silva kicked Vitor Belfort in the face and obtained worldwide recognition and fame as the greatest fighter the world had ever seen,

GSP was breaking records with the sellout of an arena of 50,00 ticket and 24 hours in Toronto, for a fight against Jake Shields at UFC 129.

I started thinking that the UFC was probably working on a super fight between the two of them. I was working with them both and never was an ill word spoken about the other by either athlete. They had the utmost of respect for one another but they had never spent any time together.  As a matter fact, they never had a conversation. They would say hello to one another if they were at a UFC event but they never spoke at length.

These two athletes have captured the hearts of their respective countries as well as fight fans from around world and I like a number of fans wanted to see them compete, but for the sake of history, they needed to be photographed together.

When GSP was in town for some additional rehab and strength training on his 2nd ACL replacement, I knew I had to put this in play or it was NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. I started working to find the right place to shoot, that would work time wise and there was no place would be more private and safer than Anderson’s Muay-Thai College in Torrence.

I went to Georges with a creative deck and about 2 minutes into the talk he says… “You want me to do a shoot with Anderson Silva don’t you?

I said “Hell yes, I do want you to do it. I think the two of you are cut from the same cloth, you’re both amazing people and if you don’t do this now, it’ll never happen.”

Georges responded… “Man, you know what… I’ve never even had a conversation with the guy. I’ve said hello when I saw him but that’s about it. Yes. I’ll do it. Yes. This is a good thing”

I called Anderson the next morning and set up a time to go see him. I showed him the deck, talked of how this would mirror the Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier photo shoot. He looked at me for about 30 seconds, didn’t utter a word and then he busted out with a…

“Yeeeeeaaah Man! Let’s do it. I like and have much respect the St-Pierre. He is amazing and a true champion. Let’s do it.”

Once GSP and Anderson were in the same room, it was like they were two old college buddies. Constantly laughing it up and really enjoying the experience of hanging out. It was very relaxed and just fun. They talked about their families, going to carnival in Brazil, Formula One races in Montreal, the current state of MMA, what was next for both of them and then spoke of their injuries and rehab. It was incredible how well they got along and it’s something I’ll never forget.

This is a Limited Edition Giclée on cotton fiber paper. /  Edition Size is limited to 10 pieces.

Available image sizes:

4  "20 x 30" / Approximate framed size is “25 x 35”

3  "30 x 40" / Approximate framed size is “35 x 45”

3  "40 x 60" / Approximate framed size is “45 x 65”

Artwork will be signed by photographer Eric Williams.