UFC
Anderson Silva shoots down a UFC return in 2014: "This year is over for me"
Mar 20, 2014 - 3:05:31 PM Anderson Silva shoots down a UFC return in 2014: "This year is over for me"

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"These rumors that I'll fight at UFC 181 or any other event around that date aren't true. This year is over for me. There's a chance I'll fight in the first half of 2015... Anderson's phase as the champion is over. Fighting for [the title] is a little far away from me... I don't see myself stopping [right now], but I don't know if I will fulfill my 10-fight contract. My family has been asking me for years to stop fighting, and they need to understand that this is what I love to do and that I need to have my time. My goal in the sport was to become a reference in this sport, and I'm achieving this."

-Anderson Silva talks to Brazil's Combate about his fighting future as he continues recovering from his broken leg (translated by Guilherme Cruz at MMAFighting.com).

Penick's Analysis: Despite how much Silva's been doing already after that leg break, it was unrealistic to think he could actually return before the year was out. As for him being done in the title picture, I'm still not convinced that's the case, but it's certainly more likely for him to come back against other fighters before getting back into a title bout. At the same time, I think the UFC can still sell a third fight with Silva and Weidman if they're so inclined.

[Anderson Silva art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]