Anderson Silva on lower back pain: ‘I thought I was going to be paralyzed’

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was hospitalized on Nov. 3 with lower back pain after a jiu-jitsu session at X-Gym in Rio de Janeiro, and he thought for a moment his career would be over.

“The Spider,” who is training to get back in action on Jan. 31 against Nick Diaz after shattering his left leg in a rematch with Chris Weidman in 2013, was afraid he wouldn’t be able to walk again.

“I couldn’t move or feel my legs and feet,” Silva told Veja Rio. “I was scared. I had never experienced anything like that before.”

The 39-year-old fighter spent the night at the Barra D’or hospital, and doctors said he had lower back pain.

“I couldn’t believe when I felt that back pain,” Silva said. “I thought I was going to be paralyzed.”

Silva was cleared to train again 10 days later, and his UFC 183 fight with Diaz is still on. The UFC legend doesn’t feel any back pain anymore, but his leg still hurts.

“I still feel pain in my leg, but I will kick with full force,” he said. “This is my ultimate test.”

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was hospitalized on Nov. 3 with lower back pain after a jiu-jitsu session at X-Gym in Rio de Janeiro, and he thought for a moment his career would be over.

“The Spider,” who is training to get back in action on Jan. 31 against Nick Diaz after shattering his left leg in a rematch with Chris Weidman in 2013, was afraid he wouldn’t be able to walk again.

“I couldn’t move or feel my legs and feet,” Silva told Veja Rio. “I was scared. I had never experienced anything like that before.”

The 39-year-old fighter spent the night at the Barra D’or hospital, and doctors said he had lower back pain.

“I couldn’t believe when I felt that back pain,” Silva said. “I thought I was going to be paralyzed.”

Silva was cleared to train again 10 days later, and his UFC 183 fight with Diaz is still on. The UFC legend doesn’t feel any back pain anymore, but his leg still hurts.

“I still feel pain in my leg, but I will kick with full force,” he said. “This is my ultimate test.”