For six solid years, we all saw Anderson Silva demolish every single opponent thrown at him by UFC matchmakers. We also bore witness to the darker years that followed, comprised of a broken shin bone, two failed drug tests and a three-year winning drought.
On Halloween night, the 45-year-old “Spider” will make his final walk to the Octagon when he faces Uriah Hall. Silva himself confirmed his retirement in a recent conversation with MMA Junkie.
“This is the last fight,” he said. “For sure, this is the last fight. Probably. I love the sport. I’ve prepared my mind for this. I’ve prepared for fight my entire life, but yes, this is my last fight in UFC.”
As he looks ahead into a life outside of fighting, Silva admits that getting there won’t be as easy.
“I think (I’ll miss) the training (the most). Preparing my mind, preparing my body. This I think is most important and I feel sad because I don’t have this anymore. This is the last one,” he said.
Silva is aware of what “Prime Time” Hall can bring to the table. But what he’s mostly concerned about is how to make that final appearance count.
“I can’t say, ‘Oh, this fight goes to the ground, this fight is done in the standup.’ It’s two good strikers. Uriah’s a very, very athletic guy and has a good technique in the striking and I try to do my best. I try do to the best show for my fans.”
Hall vs. Silva will take place at the UFC APEX Facility in Las Vegas.
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