Anderson Silva, the former UFC middleweight champion and one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, has two fights remaining on his UFC contract.
“The Spider” has just turned 45 and scored only one victory from eight fights since 2012 – his last appearance saw him lose to Jared Cannonier by TKO (leg kicks) at UFC 237 back in May of last year.
But that doesn’t mean there are a whole host of suitors wanting to fight the legend before he hangs up his gloves.
Recently, Conor McGregor proposed a fight with Silva and the Brazilian was game. UFC President Dana White quickly poured cold water over that one.
Silva was again a more-than-willing participant in a fight proposal from Anthony Pettis. Again, White wasn’t so keen on the idea.
This has proved a lot of food for thought for White as he looks to help Silva wind down his career the right way and with his legacy intact. However, at present, White is unsure what is best for Silva and the final fights on his UFC contract.
“I don’t know,” White told ESPN after last weekend’s fights at the UFC Apex. “I honestly don’t know what to do with his last two fights. When Anderson’s really ready to fight, we’ll sit down and look at it, and we’ll figure out what we thinks makes sense for him next.
“There’s a lot of things in the decision-making process with an Anderson Silva. His age, what he gets paid – all that stuff’s important.”
During Silva’s crazy run as UFC middleweight champion, he long held the record for most UFC title defences with 10, before then-UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson usurped him with 11.
Silva successfully defended his championship against names such as Dan Henderson, Vitor Belfort, Rich Franklin, Demian Maia, Chael Sonnen and Yushin Okami.
