On Feb 29, 2008 in a Columbus, Ohio elevator, I met Anderson Silva. I was in Ohio to document Dan Henderson’s fight week and on the way to weigh-in’s both teams wound up on the elevator together. As I stepped off, Anderson grabbed my jacket and asked me to wait. He asked if I was friends with @DanHendo, was he nice and did he treat me with respect? To all questions, I said yes. He said “Ok, I’ll make a deal with you. I’m going to beat him and when I do, you come take pictures of me. Deal?"⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Deal!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I thought "This guy is in for the beating of his life." I had no idea who he was other than Dan’s opponent but he was beyond kind, had a child-like enthusiasm, a big smile and the encounter just stuck with me.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ He won and 3 months later we met up in LA and started working together. That was 13 years ago and what I’ve experienced with him reaches far, far beyond the arenas and training camps. His child-like enthusiasm has always been present which is infectious. At first, I was just shooting a fighter, then one morning, I realized that I was documenting my friend’s life. ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ He gave me access to his life and supported my creative vision. When I asked him to do a shoot with @GeorgesStPierre he was beyond thrilled at the idea as he had immense respect and admiration for GSP. Watching the two of them together for the first time, was an unbelievable experience.⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ After the GSP shoot, I was a bit lost as to what I could achieve next in the sport of MMA, but over lunch Anderson removed all of those thoughts. He said, “My time will be over one day and the future athletes in this sport will need you to tell their stories, so you can’t be done. You have much more to achieve in and out of MMA my friend. Deal?⁣⁣”⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Deal!⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Thank you Anderson Silva, for entertaining the world with such style, grace and precision, that you made violence beautiful. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ For inspiring every fighter, athlete and child as only you can. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ For setting the bar as to what one can achieve, when they are focused.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I am forever grateful to you and I wish you all the best in the next stage of your life my friend!⁣