2011 has been a tough year for longtime MMA fans, as we’ve seen some of the greatest fighters of all time decide to hang up their gloves for good.
Randy Couture, BJ Penn and Mirko Cro Cop have all decided to call it a career after recent losses, and this weekend we may have to add another fighter to that list.
Wanderlei Silva is one of the best fighters to ever step into the cage (or a ring for you PRIDE fans), but his current UFC run has been disastrous, as he has gone just 2-4 since entering the Octagon back in December of 2007.
Wanderlei has been looking more and more mediocre with every fight, and it is getting depressing to watch a legend like “The Axe Murderer” decline so quickly.
While Silva put on inspired performances against Chuck Liddell and Rich Franklin over the last few years and even has a win over current middleweight contender Michael Bisping, it has become painfully obvious that Silva is always at risk when he steps into the cage, as his ability to take a punch has all but disappeared.
Losing fights to Rampage Jackson and Chris Leben by knockout is acceptable, but when you look at how easily those fighters put Silva to sleep, safety has to be a concern if you’re Joe Silva and thinking about putting Wanderlei on future cards, especially if he is knocked out by Cung Le at UFC 139.
This is why Silva needs to retire after his fight this weekend.
He will always be a fan favorite, and his legacy is still intact as one of the baddest men to ever compete in organized competition, so why not go out while you still have a little dignity?
Fans don’t want to see him go out like Liddell did, getting knocked out over and over again, and the UFC might see enough of a reason to let him go if he loses again anyway.
No one wants to see Wanderlei slumming it on the regional scene again, and even if he went to Bellator it would still be more depressing than exciting.
Wanderlei has nothing to gain by continuing his MMA career pass this weekend. And win or lose, he should hang up his gloves after he fights Le.
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