Anderson Silva takes down Diaz via unanimous decision

"The Spider" is back.

In his first fight since suffering a gruesome leg injury in December 2013, former middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva marked his return to the Octagon with a dominant unanimous decision victory over the ultra durable Nick Diaz. 

Diaz spent most of the opening round taunting "The Spider," while both men landed their fair share of strikes. The Stockton bad boy launched his pitter-patter boxing (and a surprising amount of leg kicks) at the former champion, and Silva effectively unleashed his lightning-fast strikes. 

Silva found his range as the rounds continued, and started seriously out-landing Diaz on the feet, opening up a sizable gash underneath his left eye.

Undeterred, Diaz continued moving forward, and seemed willing to take as much punishment as possible in his never-ending quest to find the Brazilian's chin.

Silva was overcome with emotion following the decision and collapsed to the mat in tears.