UFC
Anderson Silva to focus on GSP after UFC 153, says he has 2 or 3 fights left in his career
Oct 11, 2012 - 9:30:28 PM Anderson Silva to focus on GSP after UFC 153, says he has 2 or 3 fights left in his career

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva has often thrown out conflicting information regarding his own career, at times saying he'll continue for years on end and at other times stating an impending end. In his latest comment, he's gone to the latter.

Just earlier this year, Silva was quoted in a Brazilian publication as stating he would probably fight another six years, but now he says he's got a lot less time left in the sport. In a blog penned for ESPN.com, Silva commented about what's coming after Saturday's bout with Stephan Bonnar.

"I love martial arts and the UFC. I love combat sports. I love training," Silva wrote. "I have two or three fights left in my career and after Saturday, my focus will be Georges St-Pierre. But that is for Sunday. Now my focus is only Bonnar and bringing a great show to the fans on Saturday night."

That number may come as a surprise to some fans, who believe he's got more left in the tank than that, but for now, that's the latest number he's throwing out.

Penick's Analysis: If Silva truly believes he's only got two or three fights left in him, and the UFC is targeting a stadium show in Brazil late in 2013, I can think of no better way for him to finish his career than to defeat Bonnar Saturday night, face and defeat Georges St-Pierre in the spring at Cowboys Stadium, then fight Jon Jones in one final super fight in a Brazilian soccer stadium late in 2013. That would be an incredible run, and win or lose against Jones would be one hell of a way to go out. And if he was set to that schedule, he could relinquish the Middleweight Championship in order to allow that division to continue on without him. Now, we've heard similar things from him before, and two or three fights could mean he fights another ten times before he actually retires. But if he's serious about winding down his career, there are some major fights still to be had before he walks away.