Dana White addresses a potential showdown that would see a clash of titans between Conor McGregor and Anderson Silva. It appears that this is a mutual feeling as McGregor expressed interest in fighting Silva while promoting his fight at UFC 229. The reason that he wants this fight with Silva is due to him seeing […]
The reason that he wants this fight with Silva is due to him seeing him as an MMA legend. Also, back in October, Silva made it known that he thinks he should fight McGregor next and that the UFC president should consider making the fight happen.
Well, now, White is going to think about booking that fight inside of the Octagon. A fight between the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion and former UFC middleweight title holder is one that could sell well.
“Yes, definitely possible,” White told reporters during a post-fight media scrum (H/T to Bloody Elbow). “We’re still working on that card. Tuesday, we’ll have a matchmaking meeting, and I’ll have to look at it and figure it out.”
It should be noted that Donald Cerrone has been pitching for a fight against McGregor for months and appears to be set for this Summer. However, anything and everything can change under the UFC banner.
Conor McGregor expresses interest in fighting former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva when asked about future possibilities in a recent interview.
First though, the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion has to get past his next challenge. That is to take on lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov in the headliner of the upcoming UFC 229 pay-per-view event.
McGregor has already gone on record by stating that if Nurmagomedov can’t make weight for this title fight and has to pull out, he’s willing to fight someone else. Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis in a lightweight bout will co-headline this show and the belief is that the UFC would have one of these fighters step in to fight McGregor in the main event.
What’s Next?
As always with these times that McGregor is fighting, he’s asked what’s next if he wins or loses in his next fight. That was no different when he was speaking with Ariel Helwani on his MMA show on ESPN.
“I’m certainly considering a few options,” McGregor told ESPN. “There’s this fight and the co-main (Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis). Of course then there’s boxing ventures. I’m very excited about that.”
Conor McGregor Expresses Interest
McGregor was also asked about another major draw in former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre. However, he suggested a different name because he doesn’t seem too interested in this fight. Instead, he wants a fight with Silva.
“We’ll see what happens, but I don’t think (GSP is) next,” he said. “He doesn’t really have anything for me personally. I’m not going to shut the door on that down the line. You know what would be another great one? Anderson Silva.”
The reason that he wants this fight with Silva is due to him being an MMA Legend.
”I would be interested in an Anderson Silva bout. I swear to God. Anderson is a legend in the game. What’s the difference between him and Georges? Same damn thing. I’m going to do fights that interest me or have meaning.”
Until July of 2013, Anderson Silva was widely considered the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Now, nearly four years later, the former middleweight king hasn’t tasted victory since UFC 153. Against the heavy underdog Chris Weidman, ‘The Spider’ was knocked out cold for the first time in his career. Again meeting Weidman at UFC 168,
Until July of 2013, Anderson Silva was widely considered the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Now, nearly four years later, the former middleweight king hasn’t tasted victory since UFC 153. Against the heavy underdog Chris Weidman, ‘The Spider’ was knocked out cold for the first time in his career. Again meeting Weidman at UFC 168, Silva suffered a broken leg. With his career in the balance, the Brazilian icon was absent for a year. Although he defeated Nick Diaz at UFC 183, the result was overturned when Silva popped for steroids.
Tasting 2016 defeats to Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier, Silva’s illustrious win streak seemed a lifetime ago. Had the fight game moved on without ‘The Spider?’ Now 41 years old, Silva will again try to turn back the clock, facing Corey Anderson at UFC 208. During this recent interview with Globo, the ex-champ made a very interesting call out. Proving he is still up to speed on current affairs, the 42-fight veteran revealed he wants to fight outside the rankings.
Silva Wants McGregor
Keeping with the current trend of ‘money fights,’ Silva said he wants to punch Conor McGregor before retiring from MMA:
“Now, [as an] old man, I’m starting to challenge everyone. Oh, I want to hit that dwarf. What is the boy’s name? Really…McGregor? It is not provocation. It’s just that I forget, I’m old. Old men know what it’s like. I have this urge to test myself against him. I think he’s a guy who has an unusual ability. I do not know if he would reach a weight of 81, 82 kg, which is the weight I can get. But it’s a guy I’d like to test myself before I end my career. I think it would be a great fight for the world of fights and UFC history.”
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Thoughts
Given the amount contenders at lightweight, would this be a fight that makes sense for McGregor? With recent challenges from just about anyone and everyone, it looks like a queue is forming for the absent Irishman.
