UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva weighed in on a potential return to the cage as he approaches age 50.
Anderson Silva is considered by many as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time after a legendary career in the cage. He treated fight fans to many signature moments, including middleweight title defenses against the likes of Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, and Dan Henderson.
While the first half of Silva’s UFC tenure made him into an eventual Hall of Famer, the end of his time with the promotion was the exact opposite. He struggled against middleweights like Jared Cannonier, Uriah Hall, and Israel Adesanya during the back half of his UFC stint.
Despite struggles in the back half of his UFC career and Dana White promising never to sign Silva for another fight, the 49-year-old Silva isn’t done with MMA just yet.
Anderson Silva keeps the door open to MMA return after five-year absence
During a recent appearance on The Art of Ward podcast, Silva made a stunning claim about the status of his fighting career.
“Never [retiring]. I train every day. Physical training every day, two days a week I train Jiu-Jitsu, and yesterday I trained in boxing, and also Muay Thai,” Silva said. “You know the special force in the Army? That’s the same [with me]. I’m ready. I just need a few things. I just need ‘where’, an opponent, and the weight. I train every day…
“I’m not done fighting.”
Silva’s last MMA fight came against Hall in Oct. 2020, losing by fourth-round TKO. He went winless in eight of his final nine fights in the UFC.
Silva transitioned to boxing after the conclusion of his UFC tenure, facing off with Jake Paul in a 2022 boxing match. He lost by unanimous decision to Paul after wins over Tito Ortiz, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and Julio Cesar De Jesus in the ring.
Anderson Silva left out of Global Fight League draft despite MMA return interest
One potential fit for a Silva MMA return is in the brand-new Global Fight League, which recently held its inaugural draft. Several of Silva’s former opponents, including Chris Weidman and Derek Brunson, were selected in the league’s draft earlier this year.
Silva wasn’t included in the pool of athletes able to be drafted, and it’s uncertain if other promotions are interested in signing him to a deal. The PFL is another possible fit, but the league recently announced its World Tournament slate.
Silva’s last fight came in a boxing exhibition against two-time UFC rival Chael Sonnen last June, with the fight ending in a draw.