While longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva could be on the shelf for the better part of next year as his broken left leg heals, his 15-year-old son believes the time has come for his dad to call it a career.
Speaking with Brazilian media outlet R7 (translation per MMA Fighting), Kalyl Silva gave praise to current champion Chris Weidman, the only man to defeat “The Spider” twice, and explained that he’d like to spend more time with his dad at this point in their lives.
All respect for Chris to go out there and fight like a champion. Congratulations, Chris. It’s your turn to be a legend. All the enemies are celebrating Silva and do not come to see me, is not my fault. But I want to see you do what he does. I hope he retires and go home because I’m tired of watching my father train every day, be gone for two or three months … and a broken leg happens … And as always you are my champion father. And once again, good job Chris.
Yesterday, the orthopedic surgeon who repaired Silva broken left tibia and fibula, Dr. Steven Sanders, revealed during a press conference that the legendary Brazilian competitor could return to training in six to nine months, per MMA Fighting.
Sanders also indicated that the 38-year-old knockout specialist, who boasts a 16-2 record inside the Octagon, was eager to learn when he could return to training.
With that in mind, a recent tweet reveals that Silva is looking forward to resting up and healing with his family.
Thank you to all my fans and friends, I’will be better soon, now I need to be with my family to recovering better.. pic.twitter.com/RfD95fM2UR
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) December 30, 2013
Silva currently holds the UFC record for most consecutive title defenses (10) as well as the longest active win streak (16) in a dominant run that took place between 2007 and 2013.
Additionally, Weidman is the only fighter to score a knockout victory over Silva in his 39 professional mixed martial arts contests.
Will Silva heed the words of his son and decide to remain active in the sport behind the scenes or will he ultimately decide he has one more title run left in him?
John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
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