UFC Legend Anderson Silva Intends To Make The Most Of His Latest Career Chapter

By Rick LaFitte @RickLaFitte on October 15, 2014

It was a candid and seemingly relaxed Anderson Silva appearing before an assembled Brazilian media throng in Rio de Janeiro to discuss his highly-anticipated UFC 183 matchup in late January against Nick Diaz. The Superfight between the two fan favorites will mark “The Spider’s” highly-anticipated return to action after sustaining a broken leg against Chris Weidman in their middleweight title rematch at UFC 168.

The former champion openly discussed a number of topics during one of the very few media availabilities he will have prior to the Jan. 31 clash. Silva believes the contest against a fellow noted-striker in Diaz will be a tremendous matchup that will allow him to regain something that was missing in his last two bouts against Weidman.

The Octagon legend also talked about the depression that followed his gruesome injury in December as he truly believed that his remarkable UFC career was over. However, with a strong support group and loved ones around him during his lengthy recovery, Silva says he’s now ready to fulfill the remaining seven fights left on his current contract. Interestingly, Silva said he would be willing to face Weidman a third time if the opportunity presented itself. Weidman ended Silva’s dominant title reign by knocking him out at UFC 162 and emerged victorious in their second meeting after Silva’s devastating injury.

Silva made a strong push for his fellow teammate Ronaldo “Jacare“ Souza to get the winner of the 2015 title clash between Weidman and Vitor Belfort. Silva added he will be rooting for his fellow Brazilian in that fight. “The Spider” registered one of the most spectacular knockouts in Octagon history against “The Phenom” in their title fight at UFC 126 when he finished Belfort with a perfectly executed front-kick to the face.

While December will loom as the key month for Silva in his fight preparation, he remains confident that he will be 100 percent come fight night against Diaz and will be able to kick without fear. The matchup is a true fight fan’s dream, and Silva is confident that the contest will live up to the hype. In the meantime, when it comes to Diaz’s well-known trash-talking antics, Silva had an interesting response. He says he doesn’t like to be disrespected and if Diaz takes that approach, Silva indicated things would happen as they need to happen. Those certainly sound like some fighting words.

The 39-year-old Brazilian is widely regarded as the greatest fighter to ever grace the Octagon and still believes there are exciting times ahead. He’s intent on regaining his previous form and believes he still has something left to fight for. A motivated Silva is welcome news for both the UFC and fans alike.

Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports