UFC Rumors: Anderson Silva Retirement Plans Hang, Uriah Hall Saddened By Win
KEY POINTS
- Uriah Hall was saddened by his win over Anderson Silva at UFC Fight Night Saturday
- Silva's retirement is not yet official
- Dana White vows not to let Silva fight in UFC again
Before it was staged, the word going around was that Anderson Silva’s fight with Uriah Hall on Saturday would be his last one. However, it appears that that is not completely true, with “The Spider” telling UFC commentator and former middleweight champion Michael Bisping that he will first consult his family before making anything formal.
“I don’t know, first I go back home, and I go see with my team [about] everything,” Silva said via the UFC on BT Sport Twitter account. “It’s tough to say it’s my last, because this is my air. Let’s go see.”
This somehow goes against his original plan, with Silva previously announcing that this would be his last fight. The Brazilian joined the UFC in 2006 and held the middleweight title for seven years.
"Today is the final day and I am so happy to be here and to be doing my last show for my fans in the UFC and the UFC family."
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) November 1, 2020
An emotional Anderson Silva talking to Michael Bisping following his loss to Uriah Hall _#UFCVegas12 pic.twitter.com/CYlDEf4JRA
However, the 45-year-old has not gotten much luck in his past fights. The loss to Hall was his third consecutive loss.
Silva lost to Jared Cannonier via TKO in May 2019. Three months before that, he also dropped his fight against Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision. His last win was against Derek Brunson at UFC 208 in 2017.
With that string of losses, it remains to be seen if Silva will alter his plans to retire.
Despite his big win, Hall was left divided, telling Silva that he loved him and that he was sorry for the result via the UFC Twitter account.
"I love you... I'm so sorry."
— UFC (@ufc) November 1, 2020
__ @UriahHallMMA & __ @SpiderAnderson embrace after the conclusion of #UFCVegas12. pic.twitter.com/ZYfBtavxMu
Hall pulled off the win via technical knockout in the fourth round in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Hall clipped Silva with a right hand, then finished with a flurry on the ground, ESPN reported.
Though uncertainty looms on what the future holds for Silva, fighters paid tribute to the Brazilian fighter on social media. UFC president Dana White was among the personalities.
Thank you @SpiderAnderson for all the incredible moments pic.twitter.com/owzBesZQC2
— danawhite (@danawhite) November 1, 2020
What a great career for the Spider! One of the best ever! #UFC
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) November 1, 2020
Who’s cutting onions ?
— Randy Brown (@TouchNgo_) November 1, 2020
You have respect a 45 year old man , getting himself in shape , making weight and competing with younger / some of the best athletes in the world! Thanks for everything legend Anderson Silva, single handily carrying our sport! #UFC
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 1, 2020
Ironically, White felt that it was time for Silva to “hang it up.” The UFC top brass added that if Silva wanted to continue his mixed martial arts career, it would have to be outside the UFC, even though “The Spider” had one more fight left in his UFC contract.
White also regretted letting Silva fight but allowed him to do so out of respect. Silva plans to fight elsewhere if the UFC would not allow him to fight again. For the UFC president, that would be dangerous.
"I want him to retire. I hope when he goes home, his family tells him the same thing. ... He's almost 46 years old. Unless you're trying to defend your f-----g life or defend your family, no 46-year-old should ever be fighting. Period," White said.
![In this handout image provided by UFC, Anderson Silva of Brazil reacts after his loss to Uriah Hall in a middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/3074198/this-handout-image-provided-ufc-anderson-silva-brazil-reacts-after-his-loss-uriah-hall.jpg?w=736&f=5fd86fdf2c3951044bbf696629b1d562)
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