Add Anderson Silva to the growing list of fighters who have issues with the UFC.
Silva is arguably the most successful fighters in UFC history, having held the middleweight title for nearly seven years, amassing 10 title defenses, and accruing numerous records inside the promotion. “The Spider” left the organization in 2020 after losing three fights in a row and seven of nine (including one No Contest). At the time, Silva was purportedly retiring from the sport, however, in the aftermath it became clear that Silva still wanted to compete and that his exit was less than amicable, and speaking with SportsNaut recently, Silva expounded on that.
“When I was done in UFC, everybody — especially Dana White — said, ‘Oh, Anderson can’t fight anymore. Anderson is the only person of his age who can fight. It’s horrible. And talking a lot of sh*t about me,” Silva told. Silva said, “And it’s not important what has happened. It is just fight. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose.
“When you make a success of [MMA], the one thing you need to do for your fighters is [give] respect. That is what I do not feel respect for. But I don’t care because when I stop fighting, I’m gonna stop fighting because I say I’m gonna stop it. No one can tell me [should] to stop. Nobody can tell [anybody] that you should stop. Nobody. Nobody.
Silva, in fact, did not stop competing, though he has not yet returned to MMA. Silva, who was expelled from UFC in 2015, has now turned his attention to professional boxing. He won a split victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. before knocking out Tito Ortiz. His decision to fight on seems to have made him more critical of the UFC’s treatment at the end.
” That’s what’s wrong with this sport and UFC, particularly UFC. UFC has no respect for fighters’ legacy,” Silva stated. “They try to use you and kick you out. And when you’re out, they try to destroy your career [so] you don’t fight anywhere. This has happened [to] to many fighters. It’s something that people don’t consider. UFC was a great experience. There were also some bad moments. My experience behind-the scenes is what has been the worst for me. However, my efforts are not enough to make it inside the cage. It’s the only time I have control. Outside I don’t have control.”
That wasn’t Silva’s only issue with the UFC though. Many MMA celebrities have been tempted to try professional boxing in recent years due to the higher payoffs. Current UFC champs Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou both plead for boxing. Having now made that transition himself, Silva understands why.
“In my fight in Mexico, I made more money than my last three fights in MMA,” Silva said. Silva said, “I do not like talking about the negative. People say that you are out of UFC now and talk bad about [them]’..” Sometimes it was great for me, and for UFC as well. It’s done it’s over. It’s very important that I tell you this, because it is exactly what I experienced .”
.
At 47 years old, Silva still appears to be full steam ahead on his boxing career. Next weekend he will compete in an exhibition bout against Bruno Machida in the co-main event of a Floyd Mayweather exhibition card in Abu Dhabi.
TOP STORIES
Heat. Tony Ferguson says there’s nothing funny about ‘Dana White privilege,’ compares UFC to drug dealers.
Confidence. Justin Gaethje calls Charles Oliveira less dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov, questions champion’s resolve: ‘Once a coward always a coward’.
Tears. ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone brought to tears explaining why fight at UFC 274 means so much to him.
Move on. Chael Sonnen thinks UFC should stop waiting to book Nate Diaz: ‘I think you turn him loose’.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC Embedded 3.
PFL Highlights from this week’s fighters
Justin Gaethje UFC 274 prep.
Alexander Volkanovski breaks down UFC 274.
LISTEN UP
No Bets Barred. Breaking down all the best bets on UFC 274.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Jake Paul.
Don’t listen to me, listen to a UFC fighter, @tonyfergusonXT, who has the courage to speak up. Dana White has become a multi-billionaire, while the fighters struggle to survive. “Dana White the drug dealer.” pic.twitter.com/fyYb4COwQZ
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) May 4, 2022
Let’s go!
Back in fight camp pic.twitter.com/P6uYWTTkSM
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) May 5, 2022
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) May 5, 2022
This also is good.
@GamebredFighter pic.twitter.com/JQ3mtYDSTM
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) May 4, 2022
Sounds good to me. Let’s see https://t.co/i0uvAUtjsm
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) May 4, 2022
I know you want to get your wrestling on point so do it while i gotta get my shit done than we can make this happen later on this year https://t.co/GiCwi0lrwL
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) May 4, 2022
Henry Cejudo, and Aljamain sterling.
ALJOLAME is going to get it! #andnew@funkmasterMMA pic.twitter.com/KvlK3kTeM1
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 5, 2022
Tony Ferguson.
“Hands Up Chin Down” -Champ -CSO- # UFC 274 Smart Workin’ Today W/ My Team Thanks Crew -Team El Cucuy- pic.twitter.com/XVQ8hJqThx
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) May 5, 2022
Ready.
See you on July 9th @RdosAnjosMMA pic.twitter.com/7Th3BlTNLQ
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) May 5, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Manel Kape (17-6) vs. Rogerio Bontorin (17-4, 1 NC); UFC 275, June 11.
Rafael dos Anjos (31-13) vs. Rafael Fiziev (11-1); UFC Fight Night, July 9.
Cody Garbrandt (12-5) vs. Rani Yahya (28-10-1); UFC Fight Night, July 9.
Puna Soriano (8-2) vs. Dalcha Lungiambula (11-4); UFC Fight Night, July 16.
Thiago Santos (22-10) vs. Jamahal Hill (10-1); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 6.
Ciryl Gane (10-1) vs. Tai Tuivasa (15-3); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 3.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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