Wanderlei Silva Looking to Compete at Light Heavyweight in 2013

It seems mixed martial arts legend Wanderlei Silva is ready to make his next career move.

If you were expecting him to drop the "R word," guess again.

You see, it isn't retirement that Silva is contemplating, but rather a return to the 205-pound weight class, where the 36-year-old formerly ran-a-muck as a Pride FC superstar.

In a recent interview with Sherdog's Alan Oliveira, "The Axe Murderer" laid out his future plans as a UFC competitor.

"

I want to either fight a catchweight bout at 198 pounds (93 kg) or at light heavyweight. At middleweight, I’m very hungry (laughs). Right now, I'm doing weight training and some shadow boxing. I'm kind of on vacation now, paying attention to the family, but next year the Wand is back.

"

Silva is no stranger to either light heavyweight or meet-you-between-185-and-205 contests. His last match came against Rich Franklin at a compromised 190-pound weight limit. 

Silva last competed at light heavyweight in December 2008, when he suffered a first-round knockout loss to nemesis Quinton Jackson. Since that time, the Brazilian fight deity has competed three times at middleweight and twice at catch weights (190- and 195-pound limits).

Recent success has been rare to come by for Silva, who has gone 3-7 over his past 10 contests, so the decision to shake things up has some merit to it.

The question is, will it work? 

Will fighting at higher weight limits help the legend rediscover his glory days, or will the bigger and stronger challengers signify an abrupt conclusion to his fighting career?