Current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is without a doubt the best mixed martial artist in the game today.
Since entering the UFC, Silva has gone 14-0 (31-4 overall), has defeated former champions in multiple weight divisions and holds more UFC records than anybody else.
What has made Silva so great is the fact that he has looked almost invincible in the Octagon. Silva not only defeats his opponents, he finishes them with little effort.
Although Silva has had a few close calls and questionable performances, he has remained at the top of his game, even at age 36.
It is hard to tell inside the cage, but Silva’s age may be starting to catch up with him.
Over the past couple of years, injuries have delayed Silva’s title fights.
Although it’s something that comes with being an MMA fighter, injuries at Silva’s age can slow down a fighter even more.
Silva of course is no average fighter.
Silva could bounce back from his current injury and be better than ever.
There will be plenty of fighters ready to test Silva when he returns.
Silva has already defeated top contenders like Chael Sonnen and Demain Maia.
Although he has yet to be tested against Michael Bisping or Mark Munoz, Bisping has shown that he is not ready for a title shot just yet.
Munoz may be ready, but thanks to him training with Silva in the past, he could be at a disadvantage against the champ.
If Silva can get past this round robin of competitors, as well as continue to have a fight with welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre be held off, there would be little left for him to prove in the middleweight division.
Although many fans would love to see him move up to light heavyweight and challenge fighters like Dan Henderson and Jon Jones, Silva has stated many times that he wants to stay at middleweight.
Silva may have many or a handful of fights left in him. As long as he stays at middleweight though, it doesn’t seem like anybody can touch him.
As long as Silva can continue to dominate the division, he could be the first fighter since Frank Shamrock to retire as champion.
Silva is the longest reigning champion in UFC history. If there’s anybody who could retire as champion, Silva’s the man to do it.
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