Will
09-26-2008, 05:36 AM
Although UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva reportedly told a Brazilian TV station that he will "retire next year ... and within one year put my gloves aside," his manager was quick to downplay the possibility.
Ed Soares, the manager to Silva and many of MMA's top Brazilian fighters, said that Silva has a contract for six more fights and that he'll complete those before he considers leaving the sport.
Soares posted the news on The Underground, a popular MMA forum.
"Anderson's goal is to retire when he is 35," Soares wrote of the 33-year-old fighter. "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."
Those six fights are all part of a contract with the UFC. The organization signed Silva in late 2006.
Silva (22-4 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has won his past eight fights, seven of which came in the UFC. He recently moved up a weight class to fight light heavyweight James Irvin at a July 19 UFC Fight Night event and easily disposed of his opponent with a 61-second knockout.
He next fights Oct. 25 when he headlines UFC 90 in a title defense against Patrick Cote. Silva is currently an 11.5-to-1 favorite over the Canadian fighter.
Ed Soares, the manager to Silva and many of MMA's top Brazilian fighters, said that Silva has a contract for six more fights and that he'll complete those before he considers leaving the sport.
Soares posted the news on The Underground, a popular MMA forum.
"Anderson's goal is to retire when he is 35," Soares wrote of the 33-year-old fighter. "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."
Those six fights are all part of a contract with the UFC. The organization signed Silva in late 2006.
Silva (22-4 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has won his past eight fights, seven of which came in the UFC. He recently moved up a weight class to fight light heavyweight James Irvin at a July 19 UFC Fight Night event and easily disposed of his opponent with a 61-second knockout.
He next fights Oct. 25 when he headlines UFC 90 in a title defense against Patrick Cote. Silva is currently an 11.5-to-1 favorite over the Canadian fighter.