UFC News: Anderson Silva reveals why he agreed to fight Israel Adesanya at UFC 234
What's the story?
Now that former UFC Middleweight Champion, the veteran, Anderson Silva is all set to make his return to the Octagon next year, 'The Spider' has revealed in an interview how UFC President Dana White convinced him to make his official return to the Octagon at UFC 234.
In case you didn't know...
Having enjoyed a Middleweight Championship reign of 2,457 days, Anderson Silva is quite possibly the greatest fighter to ever step foot inside the Octagon. Silva, who last competed in the UFC Octagon back in 2017, has recently been on USADA's radar, who suspended 'The Spider' in July of 2018.
However, earlier this year, rather just about one month ago, Silva was free off his USADA suspension and it was noted that he would be allowed to resume fighting from November 2018.
The heart of the matter
At UFC 234 in Melbourne, Australia, fight fans will have the chance of witnessing a once in a lifetime bout between two generations, as former UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva gets set to make his Octagon return against one of the fastest rising Middleweight stars in the world, Israel Adesanya, who considers Silva as his idol.
Ever since the fight was reportedly made official for UFC 234, fight fans have been wondering what is there to be gained for Anderson Silva by fighting someone who is almost 14 years younger than 'The Spider'?
Apparently, there is a lot more in stake and according to Silva, who recently sat down for an interview with ESPN, 'The Spider' has been seemingly guaranteed a Middleweight Championship shot by UFC President Dana White, if he comes out victorious come 10th February 2019.
“(UFC President Dana White) came to Los Angeles to talk to me. I said to him, ‘Why am I going to take this fight?’ And Dana said, ‘You know, you win this fight, you go to the title belt.’ I said, ‘OK, now you are talking good business for me.’”
What's next?
Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya will lock horns on the 10th of February, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.