Anderson Silva may have posted one of the most gratifying wins of his MMA career at UFC 183 by out-pointing fan favorite Nick Diaz. That said, he was noncommittal on his fighting future.
Speaking with ESPN’s SportsCenter, Silva said that he “will go back…and talk to [his] family.”
“I will go back to my home and talk to my family.” – Anderson Silva on what’s next in his career. #SCatUFC183 pic.twitter.com/nYMGkHPQXd
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 1, 2015
He echoed that sentiment again at the post-fight press conference. When asked about what could be next, he reiterated that while he “loves his job,” his family is more important than his career.
In the UFC 183 main event, Silva put on a signature performance against the Stockton, California fighter. As many predicted, Diaz waded forward with punches while Silva reared back and stung him with hard right hands that tore up the left side of his face. While the fight did not reassert Silva as the top middleweight in the game, it earned him a clear unanimous decision win (to the tune of 50-45, 50-45, 49-46).
However, entering fight night, Silva and UFC President Dana White both openly discussed Silva potentially making another run at UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. Weidman and Silva have fought twice before, with Silva suffering a devastating knockout loss at UFC 162 and famously breaking his leg at UFC 168. While the fight would likely generate strong gate and pay-per-view numbers, many expressed reluctance regarding Silva’s chances against the formidable champ.
Either way, Silva’s legacy as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport is already secure. With a list of accomplishments including the most defenses of a UFC title (10) and the longest winning streak in the promotion’s history (16), a win over Diaz (and almost any other potential opponent for him) is just a cherry on top of a sundae of excellence.
Keep an eye on Bleacher Report for more updates on Silva’s future as they become available.
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