After debuting in the UFC in 2006, Anderson Silva has been regarded as one of the best fighters in the history of the sport. However, after 14 years, Silva is facing an uncomfortable situation.
According to UFC President Dana White, he is unsure how to transition Silva into retirement. With two fights left on his current contract, Silva has not expressed any desire to exit from the UFC. In fact, the latest reports indicate that the veteran has begun cutting weight in preparation to face Conor McGregor.
When asked about the possibility of Silva and McGregor meeting in the octagon, White was less than enthused.
“You’ve got a guy that fought at 145 pounds and a guy that’s in the conversation for the GOAT at 185 pounds and walks around at 210, 215. It’s not a big fight that really means something. I like making fights that mean something, so I’m not crazy about that fight.”
Aside from McGregor, the scenario of Silva facing Anthony Pettis has hit the rumor mill as well. Through a verbal agreement on social media, Pettis would likely need to jump up to Middleweight to make it possible. Even then, White shot down that idea as well.
Silva (34-10 MMA, 17-6 UFC) is currently the oldest fighter on the UFC roster at the age of 45. Despite once going on a 16-fight win streak, a UFC record at the time, Silva has only won one of his previous eight bouts. The last appearance for Silva in the octagon was at UFC 237 in May of 2019, where he suffered a first-round TKO from Jared Cannonier.
So, where does Anderson Silva stand with the UFC? Without a recent track record of success and a disagreement on who to fight next, this becomes a difficult time for White and Silva to see eye-to-eye. Once healthy, we hope to see one of the most prolific fighters in UFC history step into the octagon again.
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