Anderson Silva on Nick Diaz: ‘It could be an interesting fight’

Anderson Silva will return to the Octagon in 2015, and he welcomes the idea of fighting Nick Diaz.

In a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro, Silva confirmed he won’t compete this year since he’s “not feeling safe to return (in 2014),” and a fight with Diaz, a former welterweight title contender who is currently retired, would be interesting.

“Well, if everybody is saying that it would be an interesting fight, what am I going to say?” Silva said. “It could be an interesting fight.”

Silva sparred for the first time since his leg fracture on June 20, and he felt better than expected. However, he’s not throwing leg kicks like he used to yet.

“(My left shin) is stronger than the other one, way stronger than the other one,’ he said. “I’m training, and it’s helping me a lot in training. But I’m a little insecure about my movements, so I’m just kicking from the waist up [laughs].”

Following back-to-back losses for the first time in his professional career, Silva ruled out a trilogy bout with Chris Weidman.

“Rematch with Chris Weidman is something that is not in my plans. He already defeated me twice, everybody saw this,” he said. “Lyoto (Machida) has an opportunity to fight him, we also have ‘Jacare’ (Souza), who’s coming and looking for his way. Let’s root for them to get their space in the UFC and get their shot at the title, win it, become great champions and bring big wins for Brazil.”

Anderson Silva will return to the Octagon in 2015, and he welcomes the idea of fighting Nick Diaz.

In a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro, Silva confirmed he won’t compete this year since he’s “not feeling safe to return (in 2014),” and a fight with Diaz, a former welterweight title contender who is currently retired, would be interesting.

“Well, if everybody is saying that it would be an interesting fight, what am I going to say?” Silva said. “It could be an interesting fight.”

Silva sparred for the first time since his leg fracture on June 20, and he felt better than expected. However, he’s not throwing leg kicks like he used to yet.

“(My left shin) is stronger than the other one, way stronger than the other one,’ he said. “I’m training, and it’s helping me a lot in training. But I’m a little insecure about my movements, so I’m just kicking from the waist up [laughs].”

Following back-to-back losses for the first time in his professional career, Silva ruled out a trilogy bout with Chris Weidman.

“Rematch with Chris Weidman is something that is not in my plans. He already defeated me twice, everybody saw this,” he said. “Lyoto (Machida) has an opportunity to fight him, we also have ‘Jacare’ (Souza), who’s coming and looking for his way. Let’s root for them to get their space in the UFC and get their shot at the title, win it, become great champions and bring big wins for Brazil.”