What Does The Future Hold For Anderson Silva?

After over 20 years in MMA, Anderson Silva’s time in the sport may be coming to an end.

While he still has a few fights left under his current UFC deal, Anderson Silva believes that his next fight could be his last. “The Spider” will be facing off against Uriah Hall on October 31. The two were supposed to fight in 2016, but the fight never materialized after Silva needed gallbladder surgery.

“Maybe this is my last fight,” Silva stated to ESPN. “That’s why I’m training hard every day, doing my best. My whole team has come to help me. Everybody is in quarantine to start training. I’m very excited, because I think this is my last performance inside the cage, for my fans. We’ll see.”

A former PRIDE Welterweight Champion, Silva (34-10, 1 NC) holds the records for most knockdowns in UFC (18) and title fight (10) history. He also has the longest win streak in UFC history at 16 and title reign at 2,347 days. Beating Rich Franklin for the UFC Middleweight Title in 2006, Silva held onto the title until 2013, when Chris Weidman beat him at UFC 162 with a knockout.

Since then, Silva has gone 1-5 with one no-contest in seven fights. He is on a two-fight losing streak, losing to Israel Adesanya at UFC 234. Silva last fought in May 2019, injuring his leg against Jared Cannonier. The 45-year-old has been looking to come back and face whatever challenge is in his way.

While UFC President Dana White has stated it is up to Silva what his next career move will be following the Hall fight, he believes Silva will retire. He was adamant about it when speaking to reporters this past week.

“Yes, it will be his last fight,” White would end up saying.

If he were to beat Hall, Silva has been teasing a fight with Conor McGregor. He was also hoping to fight for a world title but doesn’t see the latter as being realistic.

Hall (15-9) made his UFC debut in 2013. Making it to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 17, Hall is 8-7 with the UFC. He is currently on a two-fight win streak, last fighting in September by beating Antonio Carlos Junior via split decision.

Las Vegas and “Fight Island” are currently in play when it comes to venues for the October 31 event.