Anderson Silva is returning to the Octagon in 2015, but a rematch with Chris Weidman and another shot at UFC gold isn’t on his agenda.
The former middleweight champ won’t let vengeance or redemption become the focal point for his UFC return. Instead, he is willing to take a backseat to teammates Lyoto Machida and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza as they try their hand at the new middleweight king.
During a media scrum in Brazil, per MMAFighting.com, Silva said:
Rematch with Chris Weidman is something that is not in my plans. He already defeated me twice, everybody saw this. Lyoto [Machida] has an opportunity to fight him, we also have ‘Jacare’ [Souza], who’s coming and looking for his way. Let’s root for them to get their space in the UFC and get their shot at the title, win it, become great champions and bring big wins for Brazil.
Weidman, who is set to defend his title on Saturday against Machida, shocked the world a year ago by knocking out Silva and winning the UFC title. He went on to prove he was more than just a one-hit wonder by checking a kick and breaking Silva’s leg a few months later in the rematch.
Still on the mend, Silva plans on returning to action sometime in 2015. The rumor mill has been buzzing about a potential superfight between Silva and former Strikeforce welterweight champ Nick Diaz.
During an appearance on UFC Tonight (h/t MMAWeekly), Silva’s manager Ed Soares named Diaz as someone Silva felt would be a great return opponent in early 2015. Diaz echoed Soares’ comments on the show, stating that the feeling was mutual if the money was right.
Unfortunately, money has been a constant issue in the negotiation process between Diaz and the UFC. One would think that could certainly be resolved given the potential pay-per-view numbers a headliner like Silva vs. Diaz could possibly draw.
Will Anderson Silva ever fight for a UFC title again?
As for Silva, he is more than happy to welcome the recently retired Stockton native back to the Octagon if it’s the fight fans want to see.
“Well, if everybody is saying that it would be an interesting fight, what am I going to say?” said Silva. “It could be an interesting fight.”
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon.
