Anderson Silva & UFC: Hangs Up His Gloves Way Too Soon

Anderson Silva has publically stated that he wants to retire from the UFC when his contract is up (three fights remaining). This leaves the UFC in a tough position and if this is true it leaves fight fans wanting more.

If these are his true intentions the UFC are in a tough spot. Do they continue matchmaking Anderson with fighters that fit in scheduling wise and marketing wise or do they save him for special events (new years events, superbowl weekend ad landmark shows)?

Do they make him defend his middleweight championship against Dan Henderson and use up a third of his remaining fights on a fight that isn't that great? Or do they just persue superfight after superfight to consolidate the legacy of Anderson Silva.

Every fight fan wants to see Anderson V Lyoto, Anderson V GSP, and Anderson V Couture more than Anderson V anyone in the middleweight division (including Hendo). And it is down to the UFC to decide whether to continue like Anderson isn't retiring or change their plans accordingly.

For example, Anderson V Wandy at a catchweight is a rumour I have heard for UFC 105 but surely although every fight fan would love to see this fight it isn't as big a draw as either of the three match-ups above. And therefore the UFC wouldn't risk a massive payday on this.

Everyday new information comes out about this proposed retirement plans, he wants to fight Roy Jones Jr in a boxing ring or he wants to return to Curitiba permentally are the main two. If (big if) this rumour is true the UFC will lose the best fighter they have ever had way before they should and will eliminate so many match-ups fight fans would love to see.