Anderson Silva threatens retirement after ‘disappointment’ in UFC
After years of propping up the UFC with his stunning finishes and helping to hold back the tide of disappointment at UFC 200 by taking a fight on a day’s notice, Anderson Silva has apparently reached breaking point with the UFC.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, the former middleweight champion rattled off his grievances with the UFC higher ups and cited talks of a much-anticipated super-fight with Georges St-Pierre as an example of a recent broken promise.
“When I signed my last contract, Dana White and Lorenzo say ‘OK, when Georges St-Pierre is back, you go and fight super-fight, you and Georges St-Pierre,’” Silva said. “I don’t know what happened. Nothing happened. Georges St-Pierre is back to fight and back to fight for the belt. It’s terrible. It don’t make sense. I know it’s a f*****g business, but I’m working hard for a long time.”
‘The Spider’ would then go on to suggest an interim title fight with Yoel Romero, possibly at UFC 212 – an event he is currently booked for without an opponent – but Silva added that he has been ‘disappointed for a long time’ with the UFC and Georges St-Pierre’s title fight with Michael Bisping has clearly exacerbated his grievances.
“Georges St-Pierre goes back and fights for the belt. I win my fight in London against Bisping. Why no putting me for fight with Bisping?” Silva said. “I don’t care for the belt, but I won the fight in London. Why no put me in the fight, because Georges no ready for fight with Bisping. What the f**k is going on?”
“It’s the same with Yoel Romero,” the Brazilian continued. “What the f**k has happened to me? I win for long time. I’m champion for long time — for years. Nothing happened. I don’t believe in nothing Dana talks, because I’m very disappointed. I’m tired, bro.”
“I’m far too old and I’m done, bro, I’m sorry. I know I need to respect my fans — I respect my fans. I’m sorry guys. I love the sport. I love fighting. Fighting is my life. But it’s too much b******t.”
Silva would then reiterate that he would be ready to step away from competition and felt disrespected by his current position.
“I’m tired, bro,” Silva said. “I lose my time for long time in this sport. I respect my fans. I give my heart for my fans. I’m working hard for UFC for long time in my life and nothing happened.
“This is real. This is all real. I’m working for long time in this f*****g b******t job and nothing happened. I give my heart for this sport. I give my leg for this sport. I give my time for my family for this sport.”
“The guys don’t respect my story, don’t respect my legacy. Everything don’t make sense. I don’t believe this. It’s f*****g crazy.”