Anderson Silva Not Planning on Return to Light Heavyweight

[Troy]

Whenever the term “super fight†is thrown around, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva’s name inevitably comes up.

The man who has stayed undefeated in the UFC while riding a nearly five-year, 14-fight unbeaten streak, is almost universally ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Silva has also ventured out of his usual weight class and laid a beatdown on fighters like Forrest Griffin and James Irvin at 205 pounds.

It’s no wonder that almost the moment that Jon Jones finished off Maurcio “Shogun†Rua, the questions immediately came flowing in about the new UFC light heavyweight champion squaring off against Silva.

Well, it doesn’t appear likely that fight will happen.

Silva, who is currently waiting to hear about who his next opponent will be, has informed UFC president Dana White that he doesn’t have any desire to go back to 205 pounds again. He wants to finish his career as a middleweight.

“Anderson Silva has made it very clear to me that he does not want to fight at 205 pounds,†White stated following UFC 128.

The UFC’s reigning and defending middleweight champion will more than likely face either top 185-pound contender Yushin Okami or, in true super fight fashion, take on Georges St-Pierre if the Canadian is able to get past Jake Shields at UFC 129.

Silva vs. St-Pierre is the super fight everyone has been talking about for years, at least until Jon Jones put on a show at UFC 128.

According to White, Silva only tested the waters at 205 pounds because the UFC was essentially asking him to do it. Now he is content to stay at 185 pounds, defend his title, and let the best of the best come to him.

Even with the temptation of adding another title to his mantle, Silva just doesn’t seem interested in any fight at light heavyweight.

“Originally, when I was always talking about him trying to go for another belt at 205 pounds, and he stuck his big toe in it a couple times, I think because I was pushing the issue. He’s made it very clear he doesn’t want to fight at 205,†White stated.

Silva still has plenty of challenges, however, without ever facing Jon Jones. Beyond St-Pierre and Okami, there’s still a potential rematch with Chael Sonnen looming overhead. The middleweight champion can stay plenty busy and face a lot of top competition, it just won’t be at 205 pounds.

It is a shame but understandable if Silva never actually wanted to fight a division higher. He deserves the right to remain at Middleweight and only fight fighters at that weight. There are still some good fights for him on the horizon, GSP being the biggest, and he may be pushed in some of them.

It is a bit disappointing since Silva vs. Jones, once Jones gets on a big streak as champion would be an awesome fight.

 

[Deezy]

He started his career at that weight, it's more about not wanting to do what the boss is telling him to do. Anderson has been an unhappy camper for 2 and a half years. I don't know what goes through the mind of Anderson Silva.

 

[Dademo]

I feel like he should end his career at MW, and since he's 35, as a fan, I don't really want him taking a lot of risks. But the way he handled Vitor Belfort still amazes me, so I'd like to see a fight against Shogun or maybe Rampage or something.

 

[Chase]

Anderson still has some guys at 185 he wants to face. ESPN noted how in a recent interview that he would love to fight Bisping. Marquardt is still making a run at it, dunno who wants to see a second fight, or even if Marquardt will stay at 185. As well with the nfl lockout there is talks of Chad Ocho Cinco wanting to fight Anderson Silva, which would be a total joke fight.

 

[Troy]

Didn't realise that Silva wanted to fight Bisping, as much as I want to see Bisping get a title shot it will take a couple more big wins before he gets a title shot and he is normally one who fails against the contenders. Marquardt is another that would need a few more wins before he gets in contention.

GSP, Okami, Sonnen and then go from there.

Does anyone know how many fights Silva has left on his contract?

 

[Dademo]

Didn't realise that Silva wanted to fight Bisping, as much as I want to see Bisping get a title shot it will take a couple more big wins before he gets a title shot and he is normally one who fails against the contenders. Marquardt is another that would need a few more wins before he gets in contention.

GSP, Okami, Sonnen and then go from there.

Does anyone know how many fights Silva has left on his contract?

He signed a six fight contract after his Maia fight, and since Sonnen and Belfort, he's got 4 left.

I say he fights Okami, Sonnen (again), Marquardt, then Bisping, then retires.

Assuming GSP doesn't go up, and right now, it doesn't even look like he wants to.

 

[Deezy]

Anderson still has the champions clause on his contract, so he keeps fighting as long as he's champion.

Everyone seems to want to fight Bisping right now, guessing it's because he spat at cornermen.

 

[Chase]

Anderson still has the champions clause on his contract, so he keeps fighting as long as he's champion.

Everyone seems to want to fight Bisping right now, guessing it's because he spat at cornermen.

This way before that incident where he announced he wanted to fight Bisping. This was someone asked a question like "Who would you like to defend your title against next". Then he just said "Bisping".