Anderson Silva Not Returning Until 2013
The remainder of the fight cards for 2012 are starting to come together, but one name that will be absent is that of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
Immediately after his win over Chael Sonnen at UFC 148, it was reported that Silva was anxious to get another fight in this year and was excited to tackle the next challenge presented to him inside the Octagon.
A little time away, however, has put Silva in the mindset of taking off the rest of 2012, making his return to action in 2013 instead.
“Anderson said he wants to take some time off until after the end of this year. We'll start talking to him,” UFC president Dana White stated when speaking to MMAWeekly.com after the UFC 150 post-fight press conference ended.
When Silva does return, there are myriad possibilities as far as opponents that could greet him when he gets back in the Octagon.
White admits that the possibility of matching up Silva with UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is “interesting,” but obviously the Canadian still has his bout upcoming in November against interim title holder Carlos Condit.
There's also a possible fight with top five middleweight contender Chris Weidman, who has made his desire to face Silva next well known following his win over Mark Munoz in July.
According to the UFC president, Weidman is likely the top choice among the middleweights, but there is nothing set regarding Silva's next opponent.
“He's going to have to wait or fight because Anderson's going to fight after the beginning of the year,” White said about Weidman's situation.
One fight that will not be on the docket for Anderson Silva when he returns is a match-up against perennial MMA bad boy Nick Diaz. The Stockton, Calif., native, through his trainer and manager Cesar Gracie, recently asked to face Silva when he returns to action in 2013. White commented that a Silva vs. Diaz fight “just doesn't make sense,” so that one can be eliminated from contention right now.
Whatever choice is ultimately made, Silva will close 2012 with one win, but that victory happens to close the books on possibly the greatest rivalry in MMA history. As far as who or when he will fight next, that will have to wait until the new calendar year.
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