It isn’t his number one priority, but Anderson Silva says there is a chance he could one day fight for the UFC middleweight title again.
Never say never.
Retirement may be around the corner for UFC legend Anderson Silva, but the former long-reigning middleweight champion says there is a chance he could make one last run for the title before he hangs up the gloves for good.
Speaking to reporters at a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Silva, who will take on top-ten ranked middleweight contender Jared Cannonier next month at UFC 237, looks to be winding down at this late stage of his career but wouldn’t hesitate to accept a title shot if the opportunity presented itself.
“I never put something in my mind like, ‘Oh I need to fight again for the belt,” Silva said (via MMA Junkie). “No. That’s a part in my life I passed. But I continue to fight. But I don’t know – maybe I have a new opportunity to fight for the belt. I don’t know.
“But I’m not putting my whole energy like, ‘Oh, I need to get back to fight for the title.’ No. That’s the (second) point for me, the first point is just continue to fight, continue to put my heart in the sport, then maybe I have a chance to fight for the belt again.”
While Silva didn’t rule out the possibility gunning for another title shot, ‘The Spider’ said his number one priority is to treat the fans with super fights. Silva has been vocal about his interest in a superfight with UFC star Conor McGregor in the past.
“Everybody talk about ‘fight this guy or this guy,’ but for me I think it’s more important you make something special for the fans,” Silva said. “In my opinion and my position now I’m trying to do something very special for my fans. When I fight Israel (Adesanya) everybody talk about, ‘Why you fight him? Why you take the fight?’ Because it’s a good challenge for myself, for my mind.
“I feel good – I intend to do all of them,” he added. “For the joy of some and sadness of others, I intend to keep bothering people.”
As for now, Silva has his hands full with Cannonier, who he will take on in the UFC 237 co-main event on May 11 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.