Currently, Silva has five remaining fights on his UFC contract. The previously mentioned bout with Thales Leites will knock the total down to just four fights. Within 12–18 months, we could very well see the end of Silva’s career in mixed martial arts.
According to an MMA.tv interview in 2008 prior to Silva’s fight with Patrick Cote, Silva’s manager Ed Soares stated, “Anderson’s goal is to retire when he is 35. He still has six fights on his contract and he doesn’t turn 35 for another 18 months. I know he will finish his six fights before he considers hanging up his gloves.”
Silva may no longer have anything to prove in the sport once his contract is fulfilled. He is already looked upon by many fans and media outlets as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he will most certainly go down as one of the all-time greats.
The end of his contract could mean the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He might not be able to help himself looking forward to the possibility of new challenges with the light at the end of the tunnel getting brighter with each passing day.
3) Desire To Return To Boxing
After Silva’s victory over Dan Henderson at UFC 82, he immediately expressed interest in trying his hand at boxing again. Prior to his MMA career Silva was a professional boxer. He also named Roy Jones Jr. as an ideal opponent.
UFC President Dana White countered by essentially saying it would never happen under his watch. Not while he was under contract with the UFC.
Silva still has not been deterred. He remains steadfast in his desire to get back to the sport of boxing, which would present an entirely new challenge for Silva at this point in his athletic career.
Exactly two weeks after his fight with Patrick Cote at UFC 90 Silva flew to New York to see Roy Jones Jr. fight Joe Calzaghe at Madison Square Garden.
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