UFC 208Feb 7, 2017 by Jim Edwards
Anderson Silva Says Michael Bisping 'Makes Sense' For Him After UFC 208
Anderson Silva Says Michael Bisping 'Makes Sense' For Him After UFC 208
Former UFC middleweight king Anderson Silva has charted a course that begins with Derek Brunson at UFC 208.
A legend returns this Saturday when the most dominant UFC champion of all time, Anderson, Silva, enters the Octagon for the first time since July, 2016 when he takes on Derek Brunson at UFC 208 in Brooklyn, New York.
Having already had a career that many consider the greatest of all time, the Brazilian has little still to achieve, yet he continues to be an active member of the UFC middleweight division. Speaking this week on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, Silva explained why he continues to take fights at the highest level despite his family previously asking him to retire from the sport.
"Fighting is my life you know, I love my job and [I like] to challenge myself," Silva said. "Yeah, this was good. This isn't my personal challenge, I'm a fighter, I've been fighting all my life. I'm so happy because when I get to fight, I prove to myself [that] my training [is worthwhile] and [that] my energy for martial arts [is alive].
"Now I've talked to my family and everything is OK, but sometimes my kids and wife they talk and they say 'stop Daddy, stop'. But now, everything is ok."
Back in 2013 in his rematch with Chris Weidman, Silva suffered a horrendous leg break that could've led to end of his career. Luckily, the former champion made a full recovery and he explained to podcast host Jim Norton that he never gave up hope.
"No, no, when I broke my leg I [said] 'I'll [come] back [if] I take my time'," Silva said. "I [came] back to fight because fighting is my life'."
Silva returns this weekend in a fight pitting the UFC's No. 7 ranked middleweight against the No. 8. Anderson didn't offer up much of an insight as to how he thinks the fight will play out, but he did say it should be a good one for the fans.
"I think this fight is good for me," Silva said. "My fans and I think this fight is good--it's a great fight."
With the current UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping set to defend his title when he returns from injury in May, Silva believes it shouldn't be a forgone conclusion that his next challenger is Yoel Romero. Having been defeated by Bisping in London last year, Silva wants revenge and he wants to take the Englishman's title in the process.
"I think the next fight for Bisping is me," Silva said. "Me and Bisping, this is what makes sense. [for the title] of course.
"I think Yoel Romero wins [if he and Bisping do fight]. My focus is my fight now, but Bisping is my focus [after] because Bisping didn't win the last fight."
Despite being in weight classes that aren't even close to one another, Silva has talked several times recently about the opportunity of a fight with Conor McGregor. Asked about the potential fight again, Silva wasn't back down and said that he'd love to challenge himself against the Irishman.
"I think what's interesting is that the biggest challenge [for me if I fought] Conor would be testing my striking technique," Silva said. "I think he's a great fighter and I think he's living a great moment right now. I think it would be a great to test myself with Conor."
Having already had a career that many consider the greatest of all time, the Brazilian has little still to achieve, yet he continues to be an active member of the UFC middleweight division. Speaking this week on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, Silva explained why he continues to take fights at the highest level despite his family previously asking him to retire from the sport.
"Fighting is my life you know, I love my job and [I like] to challenge myself," Silva said. "Yeah, this was good. This isn't my personal challenge, I'm a fighter, I've been fighting all my life. I'm so happy because when I get to fight, I prove to myself [that] my training [is worthwhile] and [that] my energy for martial arts [is alive].
"Now I've talked to my family and everything is OK, but sometimes my kids and wife they talk and they say 'stop Daddy, stop'. But now, everything is ok."
Back in 2013 in his rematch with Chris Weidman, Silva suffered a horrendous leg break that could've led to end of his career. Luckily, the former champion made a full recovery and he explained to podcast host Jim Norton that he never gave up hope.
"No, no, when I broke my leg I [said] 'I'll [come] back [if] I take my time'," Silva said. "I [came] back to fight because fighting is my life'."
Silva returns this weekend in a fight pitting the UFC's No. 7 ranked middleweight against the No. 8. Anderson didn't offer up much of an insight as to how he thinks the fight will play out, but he did say it should be a good one for the fans.
"I think this fight is good for me," Silva said. "My fans and I think this fight is good--it's a great fight."
With the current UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping set to defend his title when he returns from injury in May, Silva believes it shouldn't be a forgone conclusion that his next challenger is Yoel Romero. Having been defeated by Bisping in London last year, Silva wants revenge and he wants to take the Englishman's title in the process.
"I think the next fight for Bisping is me," Silva said. "Me and Bisping, this is what makes sense. [for the title] of course.
"I think Yoel Romero wins [if he and Bisping do fight]. My focus is my fight now, but Bisping is my focus [after] because Bisping didn't win the last fight."
Despite being in weight classes that aren't even close to one another, Silva has talked several times recently about the opportunity of a fight with Conor McGregor. Asked about the potential fight again, Silva wasn't back down and said that he'd love to challenge himself against the Irishman.
"I think what's interesting is that the biggest challenge [for me if I fought] Conor would be testing my striking technique," Silva said. "I think he's a great fighter and I think he's living a great moment right now. I think it would be a great to test myself with Conor."