Anderson Silva thinks Brazilian MMA is going through a rough period. And as he prepares to take on Uriah Hall at UFC 198, he’s also considering superfights with Conor McGregor and Georges St-Pierre.
Anderson Silva may have chosen his words poorly during a press conference for UFC 198, in Brazil. When speaking about the future of Brazil in the UFC, the former middleweight champion told Combate he believes only Jose Aldo and Ronaldo Jacare have a chance of claiming a UFC belt in the future.
In a room with other fighters such as Vitor Belfort, Warlley Alves, Demian Maia, Mauricio Rua and Cristiane Justino.
“I’m the only veteran here. I believe we have lost that drive and willpower to go in there and better ourselves. I had the opportunity to fight in a time when this sport had great names, and I used them as role models to get where I am today. It’s not because Jacare is here that I say I bet all my chips on him. Besides him and Jose Aldo, I don’t see anyone who can become a champion in the near future. There was a time we had almost all UFC belts. Now we only have two.”
As for his desire to fight Conor McGregor, Anderson is still up for the challenge. Plus, he welcomes a Georges St-Pierre fight, as well.
“I never fought for money, but I think that would be an interesting fight to test myself. I fought at welterweight before sometimes in the beginning of my career, but not recently. Georges St-Pierre is also a fight that could happen, yes.”
Before considering superfights, however, Anderson Silva will take on fellow middleweight Uriah Hall at UFC 198, in Curitiba, on May 14. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between champion Fabricio Werdum and challenger Stipe Miocic.