Chris Weidman knocks out Silva

LAS VEGAS — Chris Weidman put a sudden, dramatic halt to Anderson Silva’s theatrics and near seven-year Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title reign Saturday, knocking out Silva in the second round.

Weidman (10-0) belted Silva with a hard left-handed punch that left Silva nearly unconscious on his feet, then followed it with another left that sent Silva to the canvas.

Silva (33-5) was prone on the MGM Grand Garden Arena mat as Weidman swarmed and finished him off with a big right hand and a final left before referee Herb Dean stopped the bout 1:18 into the second.