Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, didn’t want mixed martial arts (MMA) fans to feel sorry for him in the wake of last weekend’s technical knockout loss to Jared Cannonier, one that cost him a spot in the 185-pound rankings.
After all, a hungry lion fights to the death.
But now several days removed from the UFC 237 pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event, the rapidly-deteriorating “Spider” is singing a much different tune. One that has him questioning his cage fighting future at the ripe old age of 44.
From his “Stop or continue?” post on Instagram, helpfully translated by Guilherme Cruz:
”Over the last four days, after another mission that wasn’t successful, I’m questioning if I should or shouldn’t continue training, dedicating, overcoming injuries, pain, etc. I ask myself, ‘Is the love that I feel for the sport consuming my mind and my body to the point that I can no longer continue?’
”Everything I’ve always done was be a good soldier in the battle field, the most well-trained, the most disciplined, and ready to die for my mission because my love for the job has always spoken louder. I’m sure that I can still do that 1,000 times more, but the last four days with pain and uncertainty, things that aren’t new in my routine, are consuming me more than before.”
”My heart and mind of a warrior get confused to a point that creates doubts. On one side I realize I’m not and don’t have to be perfect, and how much this search (for perfection) has brought me good and bad things over the years.
”Always remember that your failures are always the best teachers, and it’s during hard moments that people need to find a reason to continue moving forward. Our actions, especially when we have to overcome ourselves, makes us better people. Our capacity to resist and continue going is what makes us special people.”
Silva (34-10, 1 NC) was stopped by way of leg kick in his backyard of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against an opponent he would have eaten for lunch back in his heyday. Unfortunately “The Spider” has been competing for over 20 years and let’s face it, there’s a lot of miles on those tires.
In addition, there aren’t many compelling fights left for Silva at this stage of his career. It’s gotten to the point where he’s even calling out Nick Diaz for a 185-pound rematch of their five-round dance at UFC 183 back in early 2015.
The Brazilian has nothing left to prove at this point, so if he’s asking fans on social media whether he should stop or continue, he (respectfully) gets my vote for “stop.”