Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Anderson Silva, despite a desire to continue his mixed martial arts (MMA) career, has not had much luck in securing interested promoters within the continental United States.
Shortly after Bellator MMA President Scott Coker told the combat sports media “The Spider” was long past his expiration date, Professional Fighters League (PFL) head cheese Ray Sefo went and shut down any talk of the Brazilian joining his 2021 season.
“That guy is such a legend in the sport but isn’t he around 46? The guy is such an amazing talent,” Sefo told Fight Sports. “I think he has been a great champion. He’s definitely gonna go down in history as one of the best to ever do it. Nothing but a lot of respect but I just think it’s that time to hang it up. Watching his last fight, he also fought a former teammate of mine, and Uriah Hall was able to finish that fight. Anderson Silva is a legend and he’s gonna go down in history as one of the best to do it, so I’d like to remember him as that guy.”
Silva (34-11, 1 NC) is 45, just two years older than fellow UFC export Fabricio Werdum (24-9-1). PFL signed the 43 year-old heavyweight after “Vai Cavalo” — also known as the Tom Brady of MMA — parted ways with Dana White and Co. back in July.
You can argue that Werdum held up a little better than Silva in the twilight of his career, but he’s also dropped two of his last three and recently came off a lengthy drug suspension. Perhaps it’s time for “The Spider” to make his long-awaited return to Japan?