Anderson Silva's future?
Anderson Silva has struck up talk once again of his post-UFC plans. In a recent interview with Portal das Lutas (by way of Fiveouncesofpain.com), Silva was quoted as saying: “After my contract with the UFC ends and end my career in MMA, I intend to have a boxing match with Roy Jones. That’s something that’s already been arranged, it’s all practically a done deal. Now I just have to wait and see.”
When I interviewed Silva, he mentioned the Roy Jones Jr. stuff but didn’t seem too broken up over it. Now it’s become a major focus for him again, which should have MMA fans concerned. In the eyes of many (myself included), Silva is the most talented pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He’s been the top guy in the UFC for some time now, and has put together a dominant middleweight title reign.
It’s not like Silva will be gone anytime soon as he still has five fights left on his contract, but if he really intends to leave, you’d hope the UFC would start giving him superfights. Bouts with Chuck Liddell and Georges St. Pierre have been rumored in the past. Those would be intriguing bouts, but fighting Thales Leites at UFC 97? Not as much.
Silva said he wants to fight the best and has toyed with moving up to light heavyweight and if he only has five fights left, who do you want to see on that list of opponents? Obviously, the UFC probably wouldn’t want to invest a great deal into a fighter who may be gone in two years, but if you could pair him up with anyone, what would you want to see before he’s gone?
Liddell and St. Pierre would be on my list. I think Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson might not be bad either. Either way, if he’s really going to retire from MMA after his current contract is up, hopefully we’ll get to see him go out with some huge fights.
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
Personally I would love to see Silva V Machida. I know its not going to be to everyones liking..but I'd love it.
You have the most accurate striker in the UFC against the most elusive fighter in the UFC. It would be very interesting to see how they both adapt.
But in terms of a superfight...its gotta be against Chuck or Wanderlei.
Posted by: James | March 28, 2009 7:29 AM
Silva will NOT fight Machida, they are friends and have both said they want no part of it at all. Anderson also said he has no intention of going after the 205 LHW belt either. UNLESS, Rashad actually beats Machida, then the door remains open for Anderson to pursue a shot at the 205lb belt.
Posted by: MMA Fan | March 28, 2009 2:18 PM
I agree, I think both Rashad Evans and Rampage are bigger fighters that will challenge Anderson, he needs motivation
Posted by: Rolando | April 1, 2009 11:47 AM
Liddell? Come on, can't you see he's washed up? He can't make it through a couple of rounds without taking a nap here lately. I would love to see Silva fight Machida. Friends or not, I think that is bar none, the toughest match up for Silva. Evans and Rampage could certainly provide a nice challenge however. There's no way you could stick GSP in there with him. I think that could get ugly.
Posted by: fender | April 8, 2009 7:32 AM
The only good match-up is Silva vs. The current LHW Champion at the time; anything less (or prior to) would be a disappointment.
Posted by: GRMMA | April 15, 2009 5:20 PM
anderson spider silva vs. lyoto dragon machida. they both have so much in their arsenal, and machida has not shown lately that he's afraid to bang
Posted by: wisam fattah | June 6, 2009 12:57 PM
i think i would like to see anderson silva drop weight and george st. pierr gain weight and fight each other than both would have to play against weight issues.......
i think the liddell vs silva fight would bring in some good money but i think in the end anderson silva would wipe him out....
Rampage vs. the spider would be a good one, but would rampage come back to the ufc to fight him?
rashad evans vs anderson silva would be a good fight, but we all see what happens when you match rashad up with a fighter of his caliber, he takes a nap, so that might be a dud also,
after all is said i dont even know if there can be a superfight with aderson silva could be made, or i dont even know if any one can beat him, so be ready for the dissapiontments cause its gonna happen.... anderson silva is too skilled.
Posted by: richard | January 4, 2010 3:24 PM
A superfight, bring in Shogun, he's already shown that his ring rust is behind him with his bout against Machida. Regardless of the outcome of the Machida v. Shogun rematch I think that would be a great fight. Two world class Muay Thai fighters would be a good watch. Jon Jones could be in a couple of fights worthy of a chance against Anderson, its not like Jones is terrible in his unorthodox standup and has some serious reach. Thats probably not going to happen but I'd rather see it than Liddell
Posted by: Dod | January 14, 2010 10:34 AM