Just days after his UFC 237 loss to Jared Cannonier, Anderson Silva seems uncertain of his fighting future.
Falling short in the event’s co-headliner, Silva fell victim to a low-kick but thankfully avoided any serious injury nonetheless. However, ‘The Spider’ has since posted a lengthy social media update in Portuguese. The detailed post provides insight into the former champion’s mind-set and right now, it’s unclear if we’ll ever see him in the octagon again.
“Stop or continue?!” Silva asked. “Over the last four days, after another mission that wasn’t successful, I’m questioning if I should or shouldn’t continue training. I ask myself, ‘Is the love that I feel for the sport consuming my mind and my body to the point that I can no longer continue?
”Everything I’ve always done was be a good soldier in the battle field, the most well-trained, the most disciplined, and ready to die for my mission because my love for the job has always spoken louder. I’m sure that I can still do that 1,000 times more, but the last four days with pain and uncertainty, things that aren’t new in my routine, are consuming me more than before.”
While clearly experiencing some internal doubt, Silva is still far from resigned to retirement. “On one side I realize I’m not and don’t have to be perfect, and how much this search (for perfection) has brought me good and bad things over the years. Always remember that your failures are always the best teachers, and it’s during hard moments that people need to find a reason to continue moving forward.
Our actions, especially when we have to overcome ourselves, makes us better people. Our capacity to resist and continue going is what makes us special people.”
Regardless of his fighting future, Silva’s legacy as an iconic figure remains secure. The former pound for pound great managed ten defenses of his Middleweight crown before famously losing the title in July 2012. Since then, Silva has experienced far less success, officially winning just one of his last eight outings.
Prior to his fight with Cannonier, Silva seemed very much committed to continuing his career for quite some time, even suggesting a possible fight with Conor McGregor. At the very least, he hoped to finish his contract which supposedly had “three or four” fights remaining. Those plans now seem less likely though, with Silva’s disappointing performance leaving him uncertain about his future.
Credit to Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting for the accurate translation of Silva's post.
