UFC boss: Anderson Silva could fight again before end of 2014
LAS VEGAS – If you think the videos of Anderson Silva walking less than two months after suffering a gruesome leg break are shocking, consider this: “The Spider†may very well fight again before the end of the year.
Following Saturday’s night’s UFC 170 event in Las Vegas, White told a small group of reporters that Silva’s attending doctor updated him on the former middleweight champion’s status and said the progress is incredible.
“He said, ‘This is actually crazy; look at all the bone growth that he has in eight weeks,’†White said. “He said sometimes you don’t see that kind of bone growth in people over a couple of years. Pretty crazy.â€
Silva (33-6 MMA, 17-2 UFC), of course, suffered a brutal leg fracture in his UFC 168 loss to current champ Chris Weidman, but the Brazilian striker has vowed a successful return to the octagon following the insertion of a titanium rod into the injured limb. The all-time great has kept fans abreast of progress, posting photos and videos of his recovery, including a recent scene in which he walked without the use of crutches.
White said Silva’s doctor believes the champ could very well shock the world with his recovery time.
“He said that he could fight by the end of the year,†White said.
White said he and UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta are scheduled to meet with Silva at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday.
Silva turns 39 years old in April, and there are still plenty of hurdles to clear before the former champ can commit to an actual fight. But Silva seems determined to prove his doubters wrong, and White seems encouraged by his early progress.
“We’ll see what happens,†White said. “Anything can happen. He can hurt it again in training or anything is possible. He could start training and not feel the same. We’ll just see how it all plays out.â€
