Coach Doesn’t See Anderson Silva Retiring in 2020

After the UFC booked Anderson Silva to fight Uriah Hall at UFC Vegas 12 this month, Dana White relayed he believes it will be the last bout of “The Spider’s” storied career. But, as the fight date approaches, increasingly it doesn’t lot look like that will be the case.

Coach says Silva still has “wood to burn”

Silva is set to face Hall on October 31st, in what will be the 45-year-old’s first fight of 2020. The former middleweight champ has yet to compete since he incurred a knee injury in his loss to Jared Cannonier in May, 2019.

For a while now, Silva has said he plans to fight out his UFC contract, which has two fights left on it. But, due to his age, the injuries he’s incurred in recent years, and White’s aforementioned comments, some have wondered whether he could retire at UFC Vegas 12.

But, in a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Silva’s strength and conditioning coach, Rogerio Camoes reported he doesn’t see the star retiring in the near future.

“I’m not aware of the negotiations,” Camoes said, while discussing the fact Silva will have one bout left on his deal, after he faces Hall. “But, to me, speaking as Anderson’s coach, Anderson still has plenty of wood to burn, brother.

Believe it. From what he’s doing in terms of performance in training, he still has wood to burn.”

“At least one more – do this one and one more superfight,” Camoes said. “Imagine that, man?

Imagine an Anderson superfight in Rio de Janeiro when everything is back to normal, no pandemic, and him fighting someone with a big name or a legend from the past.

“I don’t know about his contract situation. But when we talk, he always says, ‘Master, I still have wood to burn, I still want to fight.

I still have the desire to fight, I still feel well.’ I think what matters the most is what the guy feels rather than someone else determining if he will stop or not, you know?

I think he can fight anywhere in the world, including a boxing fight, if he wants to.”

Thoughts?

So, given that Silva has repeatedly talked about fighting out his UFC deal, and hasn’t publicly said he plans to retire at UFC Vegas 12, Camoes comments shouldn’t be a surprise.

In fact, if Silva still has the desire to fight, you never know: maybe he’ll look at fighting outside of the UFC when his deal is up.

All that said, if Silva loses against Hall, and loses badly, then maybe the legend will decide to walk away. The former champ has just one official win on his record since 2012.