21 Things to Expect from Anderson Silva in the Next 7 Years

Earlier this year, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva shocked the world when his trainer, Ed Soares, announced he would only fight a few more times before calling it quits to a historical career.

However, that all changed just a few short weeks ago when Silva not only announced he'd be around for a few more fights, but another seven years.

Silva, currently 36 years old, will be 43 years old when he finally hangs up his gloves for the very last time.

However, Silva now has seven years to continue his legacy and fulfill many expectations that have been set before him.

So, the following slides display 25 things to expect from Anderson Silva over the next seven years.

Let's take a look.

Chael Sonnen Rematch

Since arguably the greatest comeback in UFC history at UFC 117, fans can't get enough of the Silva vs. Chael Sonnen rematch.

In fact, this bout is more than likely to occur in early 2012 as Sonnen has done everything he can possibly do to provoke Silva into a rematch.

While Silva may not feel Sonnen is deserving of another title shot, UFC president Dana White will make the final decision.

A Heavyweight Fight

After weeding out the entire middleweight division, UFC president Dana White assigned Silva a catchweight bout with Forrest Griffin at UFC 101.

Silva dominated the light heavyweight in Griffin, dropping him senseless just a few minutes into Round 1.

And, if Silva continues his dominance, it's very likely we could see him taking his talents to a heavyweight catchweight bout.

While it's unclear how Silva would compete in the 265-pound weight division, there's an exceptional possibility this could occur.

A Loss

Anderson Silva hasn't lost a legitimate mixed martial arts bout since December of 2004.

And, while Silva was ground and pounded for 4.5 rounds against Chael Sonnen at UFC 117, he still found a way to win with just two minutes remaining in the fight.

However, Silva's dominance can't continue forever as fighters are beginning to challenge and compete with his world-class talent.

Silva will fall from his throne at some point in the next seven years.

More Knockouts

Not only is Silva one of the greatest fighters of all time, but he's one of the best knockout artists to have ever stepped foot inside the Octagon.

Over the course of his mixed martial arts career, Silva has knocked out 18 opponents in just 31 career victories.

Silva's knocked out some of the most well-known fighters in Forrest Griffin and Vitor Belfort.

A Fight with Jon Jones

Despite being very close friends and already stating they won't fight one another, the chances of Silva and Jon Jones meeting inside the Octagon have now become a reality.

If Silva continues to dominate the middleweight division like he has over the past several years, he'll have no choice but to fight his friend in Jones.

Many UFC fans feel Jones may very well be the guy to dethrone Silva as they share very similar skill sets.

A Move to Light Heavyweight

If Silva can defeat Chael Sonnen in their highly anticipated rematch, he will have cleared any doubts that he is the best fighter in the middleweight division.

And if Silva does defeat Sonnen, he'll have almost no competition remaining in the 185-pound weight class.

Silva, who's already defeated a light heavyweight fighter in Forrest Griffin, could very well make the permanent transition to the 205-pound weight class.

Fans can expect to see Silva fighting in the light heavyweight division full time at some point over the next seven years.

More Spectacular Submissions

After being throttled for 4.5 rounds by Chael Sonnen at UFC 117, Silva was in desperate need of a finish as time was quickly ticking off the clock.

Then, Silva connected on one of the greatest triangle armbars the sport of mixed martial arts has ever seen.

Despite displaying his exceptional submission skills, Silva has only ever won six bouts via submission.

However, fans can expect to see more tap-out victories in the years to come.

Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort II

Vitor Belfort, a fellow Brazilian, is one of, if not the hardest-hitting middleweight in the UFC today.

Belfort already had his shot at Silva when he was on the other end of one of the greatest kicks in UFC history as he was defeated via knockout.

However, Belfort suggests Silva's kick was "lucky" and would like a rematch for the middleweight championship.

Silva vs. Belfort could be one of the last middleweight fights we see Silva take part in.

Become a Coach of TUF

The UFC recently announced that it will be taking its well-known show of The Ultimate Fighter to Brazil for a full season.

And who better to have coach one of the Brazil teams than the greatest Brazilian of all time?

While the coaches have yet to be confirmed, it's very likely fans will see Silva taking part in TUF Brazil.

A Fight with Georges St-Pierre

The possibility of seeing Silva and Georges St-Pierre square off inside the Octagon has been talked about for years. Yet, while the "superfight" has been talked about many times and the conditions have been set, it's yet to happen.

However, with Silva agreeing to stick out for another seven years, the chances of seeing these two meet in arguably the biggest fight in UFC history has greatly increased.

While the fight may take some time to work out itself out, it's very likely fans will see this historical bout before Silva's career is over.

His Eldest Son's MMA Debut

Not only is Silva one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history, but a father to five children.

While the media doesn't spend an overwhelming amount of time discussing Silva's home life, one of his sons have been seen at one of Silva's fights.

In fact, Silva's son made the entrance with his father and trainer Ed Soares.

With Silva set to fight for another seven years, it's possible we could see the next generation of Silvas in the years to come.

Split Ways with Ed Soares

While Ed Soares has been the trainer and spokesman of Silva for quite sometime now, thing's haven't always been smooth sailin'.

In fact, recently it was Silva who addressed comments made by Soares and stated he wasn't pleased with his trainer.

With Silva committing until the year 2018, it's likely fans will get to witness a Silva-Soares breakup somewhere along the way.

Retirement

One thing needs to be made known to all UFC fans: Just because Silva has agreed to fight another seven years, that doesn't necessarily mean he will.

There are a lot of things that could occur in a seven-year period, including Silva losing his edge.

Silva is already 36 years old and it's usually not like fighters to fight past the age of 40.

So, fans shouldn't be surprised if Silva walks away within the next seven years.

More Awards

As the wins continued to pile up over the course of Silva's career, so did the awards and honors.

Silva's won Knockout, Submission or Fight of the Night honors on eight different occasions in his mixed martial arts career.

The middleweight champ has also been awarded Fight of the Year, nominated for an ESPY and named UFC's Undisputed 3 front cover athlete.

Fans can expect the awards to continue the longer Silva's career moves on.

Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen III

There's no denying how dominant Chael Sonnen was when he squared off with Silva at UFC 117.

However, Sonnen came up just short as he was submitted in the fifth and final round of action.

Chances are Sonnen will get his much desired rematch and, if he were to win, it wouldn't be the last time Silva and Sonnen met.

With a Sonnen win in early 2012, the rivalry will stand at 1-1 with demands of a third fight between the two.

Become a TV Star

When Silva announced that he'd fight for another seven years, he also announced he may pursue a career in television following his retirement.

However, fans shouldn't be surprised if they see Silva on television or in theaters sooner rather than seven years down the road.

Silva could also pursue a career in television broadcasting.

Piss Dana White off

We can all recall that magical night in Abu Dhabi at UFC 112 where Silva danced the night away against fellow Brazilian Demian Maia.

Following the fight, UFC president Dana White refused to place the middleweight championship on the waste of Silva as he was furious with Silva's lack of class.

With another seven years remaining in Silva's career, it's likely he'll do something similar or greater to tick of the UFC head honcho.

Have More Than One Million Twitter Followers

Not only is Silva the most popular fighter in the entire world inside the Octagon, but on Twitter as well.

"The Spider" has accumulated a UFC-best 800,000-plus followers on Twitter, as it provides fans with a way to connect with Silva.

Silva will continue to establish himself as a social media star as he will eclipse the one million mark in the near future.

Fight in Brazil Again

The UFC traveled to Brazil for the first time in nearly 10 years for UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011, where Silva had the privilege of fighting in front of his home country.

The atmosphere embraced the hometown legend as UFC 134 went down as one of the best fight cards of 2011.

And, because of its success, UFC president Dana White has already stated the UFC will be traveling back to Brazil in the upcoming years.

Fans can expect Silva to be apart of the adventure back to Brazil.

Inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

Since entering the UFC in June of 2006, Silva has dominated nearly ever opponent that's come his way by winning 14 consecutive fights.

To date, Silva has defended his middleweight championship nine straight bouts en route to establishing himself as arguably the greatest fighter in mixed martial arts history.

While there are few things left for Silva to accomplish, one of them is to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

It's very likely fans will get to witness Silva enter this historical honor.

Start the Next Dominant Brazilian Gym

While Anderson Silva has already opened a smaller gym and trains at others across the United States and Brazil, he could very easily start a world-class gym of his own.

Silva, one of the most experienced fighters to have ever stepped foot inside the Octagon. is a black belt in judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Tae kwon do.

Silva could establish the future of mixed martial arts in his very own gym.