Dana White has revealed that former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva still refuses to speak to him after the UFC CEO suggested that the Brazilian legend retire from mixed martial arts.
Silva (34-11 MMA, 17-7 UFC) is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. "The Spider" dominated the promotion's middleweight division from 2006 to 2013, putting together the longest winning streak in UFC history and authoring one of the most celebrated title reigns the sport has ever seen.
However, Silva's career trajectory changed dramatically following his rematch with Chris Weidman at UFC 168 in December 2013, when he suffered a devastating broken leg. Although he eventually returned to competition, Silva was unable to recapture his previous form, earning just one victory inside the Octagon before parting ways with the UFC in 2020.
Since leaving the promotion, Silva has enjoyed a successful run in professional boxing, securing notable victories, including a win over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in December of last year.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Pivot podcast, White reflected on his relationship with Silva and explained that the former champion has held a grudge against him ever since he advised him to retire.
"I don't know if there's anybody we treated better than Anderson Silva," White said. "I mean, (we) respected him so much for his talent and everything else. And the guy is, to his core, a fighter and a martial artist, you know? Fighting is what he loves."
White acknowledged Silva's determination to continue competing despite a difficult stretch toward the end of his UFC career.
"And he went on a losing streak…I don't know, seven of his last eight or something like that," White said. "We never cut his money. We never pulled his money back. He made shitloads of money. And then I said, 'Time to retire.'"
According to White, the conversation effectively ended his relationship with the former champion.
"And he won't talk to me to this day," White continued. "He hates me because he says, 'Who the f*** are you to tell me I can't do what I love to do,' you know? And I get it. It is what it is. And sometimes, it's business, but sometimes it gets personal."
Despite their apparent falling out, White's comments highlighted the immense respect he still has for Silva's accomplishments and legacy inside the UFC, where the Brazilian remains one of the most influential and revered champions in the promotion's history.
