UFC News: Anderson Silva expected to face Conor McGregor for last UFC fight
What's the story?
Former middleweight champion of the UFC, Anderson Silva, recently spoke with MMA Fighting during a recent media event about his leftover career prospects.
Silva will be coming off a two-year layoff from the sport, following his unanimous decision victory over Division-II American wrestler, Derek Brunson. 'The Spider' is stepping into the Octagon with Israel Adesanya at UFC 234, at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
In case you didn't know...
Post Anderson Silva's last Octagon performance, the MMA legend was indefinitely suspended from the sport after being accused of using illegal performance boosters.
Silva tested positive for a synthetic anabolic steroid, methyltestosterone, and was as a result suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency for breaching an athlete's moral code of staying clean.
Recently, Silva has been in the news for his upcoming fight against the young firepower, Israel Adesanya. The pair will be facing off against each other for the UFC 234 event set to take place at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
Adesanya has been the talk of the town ever since his UFC debut in early 2018, and he has been victorious in four consecutive fights since then.
The heart of the matter
During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Brazilian ace striker, Anderson Silva, was seen commenting on his time left in the Octagon. He said:
“I have three more, and then it’s done. It’s over.”
Silva, on many occasions, has expressed interest in fighting two of the biggest kingpins in mixed martial arts history, Georges St-Pierre, and Conor McGregor. When asked about the possibility of potential match-ups against the two, Silva said:
“At this point in my career, I believe that the good challenge is the super fight. I talk to UFC president, Dana White about Georges St-Pierre, about McGregor, about McGregor especially because McGregor is a challenge, this fight.
I just talk to Dana a lot about the fight that’s very interesting, fight to this guy. Because he’s an amazing fighter and a legend in this sports and let’s go see. That’s a good game, super fights, and it’s very interesting for my fans”
Conor McGregor and Anderson Silva have run the course of their respective careers in accordance with specific weight classes. Conor McGregor was the UFC's former featherweight and lightweight champion, while Anderson Silva was the former middleweight champion of the UFC.
When asked to elaborate about what weight class the two may fight under in case of a contest, he said:
“I believe 180 is good for me and McGregor. So I just wait because I don’t control this. This is the question for Dana but maybe that this is an amazing fight for the fans”
What's next?
UFC president, Dana White, has promised Anderson Silva a sure shot at the title if he proves to be successful in his endeavour against Israel Adesanya.
UFC 234 is just over a month away, and the anticipation for Silva's upcoming fight has never been higher. Who do you think will emerge victoriously at UFC 234? Silva? Adesanya? Leave your predictions in the comments section below!