UFC Vegas 12 is being marketed as former middleweight champion The Spider’s retirement fight inside the Octagon. Anderson Silva takes on #10 ranked Uriah Hall in possibly his last fight inside the UFC Octagon. Silva dropped a TKO loss to top-ranked Jared Cannonier and will look to leave the UFC on a winning note. Ahead of the match-up, Silva has maintained that a lot would depend on the outcome of his against Uriah Hall this weekend.
Silva still has two fights left in his contract, and the former middleweight champion has stated that he wants to remain professional and fulfill his contract to the promotion. However, he also added that a lot has changed since he last stepped inside the Octagon and his possible rift with UFC President Dana White could have a lot to do about his decision to leave the UFC Octagon. Be that as it may, the Spider has hinted at possibly fighting in other promotion, in a scenario where he cannot compete inside the UFC Octagon.
Silva is not done fighting
Earlier, former middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen speculated what might have led to Silva opening up about his relationship with Dana White. Appearing alongside ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani, Silva had stated that a lot has changed since the last time he stepped inside the Octagon. Silva added that UFC doesn’t feel like family under Dana White and credited Ferttitta Brother’s for their more friendly approach with their fighters.
Anderson Silva hasn’t been the same ever since the horrific injury he suffered back in 2013 in his title rematch against Chris Weidman at UFC 168. However, the Spider has always shown courage and regardless of the result wants to continue competing inside the cage.
“We will see. Something’s changed but this is my last fight for UFC probably. But a special answer for Dana. You know it’s tough. Talking about this is the last or not. But yes, possibly in the UFC, this is the last fight. I have my contract, I signed and I do my best.” Silva said.
Needless to say, to say, the 45 years old Brazilian continues to prove why he is a true mixed martial artist. When he could have rested his gloves long back, Silva is still hoping for a fight even after his much anticipated “retirement” fight with Uriah Hall. Additionally, Silva has expressed his interest in fighting Israel Adesanya in a rematch.
What’s next for Anderson Spider Silva?
It won’t be wrong to say that the Spider’s legacy has taken a backseat in the past several years. Having lost six of his last eight bouts inside the Octagon, Silva has gone from scaling the heights of the middleweight division to trying to get a win inside the UFC Octagon. Silva’s last win came against MMA veteran Derek Brunson, where the SPider picked up an impressive unanimous decision win.
“This sport is my heart, it is my air you know, I fight for my entire life.” Silva said to Ariel Helwani when asked about what MMA means to him, “It’s not about fighting, it’s about martial arts. For me, I’m a good martial artist and when I go inside the cage, I don’t go for a fight, I go to prove and show something special to my fans.”
Anderson Silva will go down as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. Despite a lackluster record in the past several years, one cannot deny Silva’s achievements inside the Octagon. Additionally, even at the age of 45, he continues to compete against the absolute best that the UFC has to offer. He has fought the likes of Derek Brunson, Israel Adesanya, Jared Cannonier, and will take on #10 ranked Uriah Hall as he possibly walks inside the UFC Octagon for one last time.
