Anderson Silva is Now “Questioning” Whether he Should Continue Fighting, Following Latest Loss

Not long after Anderson Silva was stopped by Jared Cannonier at UFC 237, the legendary fighter shared out comments which appeared to indicate that he would be back in the Octagon. But, now, several days removed from the defeat, it looks like the former middleweight champ’s re-evaluating his career.

Silva faced Cannonier in the co-main event of last weekend’s card, and went down late into round one, after taking a hard kick to his right leg. The Brazilian star proceeded to post a statement in which he talked about “not giving up”, and he appeared to take issue with people who are calling on him to retire.

But, more recently Silva posted the comments below via Instagram (translations via MMA Fighting):

”Over the last four days, after another mission that wasn’t successful, I’m questioning if I should or shouldn’t continue training, dedicating, overcoming injuries, pain, etc,” Silva wrote in Portuguese. “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.”

”My heart and mind of a warrior get confused to a point that creates doubts. 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.”

So, we’ll see what happens here. There’s no question that Silva has nothing to prove, and when you consider he’s 44, and has just one victory since 2012, retirement seems like the right way to go.