Anderson Silva is Wrapping up Storied Career After Fighting Uriah Hall

After fighting professionally since 1997, it looks like we will not see Anderson Silva throwing hands in the Octagon in 2021 or after that.

Silva announces October 31st fight will be his last

After it was announced that Silva was going to face Uriah Hall on October 31st, UFC President Dana White said he believed the legend would retire afterward. But, since then, Silva’s nutritionist and fitness coach Rogerio Camoes said he believed the star would fight in 2021. 

Further, Silva had repeatedly said that he planned to complete his UFC deal, which reportedly has one more bout on it, after he faces Hall. 

But, in a more recent interview with MMA Junkie, the 45-year-old Silva reported the following.

This is the last fight,” Silva said. “For sure, this is the last fight. Probably.

I love the sport. I’ve prepared my mind for this. I’ve prepared for fight my entire life, but yes, this is my last fight in UFC.”

Now, sure, Silva did say “probably” here, so some may question whether he will in fact, walk away after October 31st. But, considering Silva’s age, the setbacks he’s incurred in recent years, and that he has absolutely nothing to prove at this point, retirement makes sense.

Further, if Silva loses to Hall, you know that calls for him to retire (if he didn’t announce he was) would be widespread.

Silva will miss training the most

The former middleweight champ was asked what he’ll miss the most, in his life after fighting, and Silva stated:

“I think (I’ll miss) the training (the most),” Silva said. “Preparing my mind, preparing my body.

This I think is most important and I feel sad because I don’t have this anymore. This is the last one.”

And when asked what his best memory is from his storied career, Silva’s responded with this.

“My first title belt in Japan when I fight in Shooto, when I fight Hayato Sakurai,” Silva said. “This is my best memory ever. It’s my first title belt.”

This is probably a pretty surprising answer for some, given that Silva recorded multiple, epic wins during his run with the UFC. When he took out Rich Franklin in 2006 to win the UFC’s middleweight title, at the time, Frankin was one of the biggest names in the game.

But, back in 2001, when Silva defeated Sakurai, many people viewed the Japanese fighter as one of the best, pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. Sakurai had gone undefeated in 20 pro bouts before facing Silva.