Anderson Silva wants to fight well into his 40s. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva turned 38 on April 14, but the Brazilian juggernaut appears to have no plans for early retirement. In fact, if his words in a recent interview with a Brazilian media outlet are to be believed, Silva has designs on fighting for five more years.
Viewed by many as the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA history, Silva will carry a 17-fight winning streak into his next outing. He last appeared at UFC 153 in October, when he moonlighted as a light heavyweight and steamrolled Stephan Bonnar at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Silva has finished 15 of his 17 foes during his current tear, which includes victories over onetime two-division Pride Fighting Championships titleholder Dan Henderson, former middleweight King of Pancrase Nate Marquardt, 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist Demian Maia and three former UFC champions: Rich Franklin (twice), Vitor Belfort and Forrest Griffin.
Silva has not suffered a legitimate defeat since Dec. 31, 2004, when he submitted to a flying scissor heel hook from Ryo Chonan in Japan.
Items of interest on the Sherdog.net forums this week:
Five More Years
‘Bones’ Takes Aim
Maia Ain’t Scared
Technical Issues
Crushing Promise
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