An uncharacteristically irate Anderson Silva has blasted the UFC in a new interview and threatened to retire if he’s not given an interim 185lb title fight with Yoel Romero at UFC 212.
Silva had previously agreed to a fight with the in-form Kelvin Gastelum at the event, but that bout fell through after his opponent tested positive for marijuana metabolites.
That was some time ago, and yet though Silva is still scheduled to fight on the June 3rd show in Brazil, he still doesn’t have an opponent, and it seems like his patience is now wearing thin.
“I’m tired,” Silva told Ariel Helwani on ‘The MMA Hour’ show. “Trust me, I’m so tired. I just talked to my team today, and I talked to my friends and my family. I’m tired. If nothing happens, if this fight doesn’t happen anymore in Brazil, I’m done. I won’t fight more. I’m done.”
It’s believed the UFC have offered the legendary fighter other opponents, but Silva doesn’t believe they make sense, and so it seems he’s not got his heart set on fighting current No.1 contender Yoel Romero.
However, with the UFC so far having given no indication they are ready to meet his demand, Silva now fears that he won’t be fighting in front of his home fans next month.
“This is perfect bullshit,” Silva said. “I’m tired. I’m so tired. I’m respectful long time. Everything, I never talk about bad situations in UFC. … I think I’m done. I fight for long time in my life. And I’m tired, bro. I’m so upset. I have my legacy, I have my story. It’s very frustrating, because this is the second time I’m not fighting in my country.”
All this puts the UFC in an awkward position. Silva is a legend, but he’s now 42-year-old and has only just got back to winning ways via a controversial decision win against Derek Brunson earlier this year, putting an end to a five-fight spell in which he’d failed to register a win.
That’s not exactly the kind of form that warrants a fight for the interim title against the division’s leading contender, though it should be noted that Romero is eager to make the bout happen.
“I fight only with Anderson for the interim belt,” Romero confirmed after he called in to join Silva on the same show. “If no fight with him, I wait for my time for the belt.”
Silva then also confirmed he’ll only accept the fight if it’s for the title, and doubled down on his threat to quit the sport.
“If (UFC) no give this fight for me for interim belt, I’m done,” Silva stated.
“(I’m) just waiting for Dana’s decision for put on this fight for me and Yoel Romero. It doesn’t happen, I’m done. I go back to my home. No more fights.”
“I save all time the UFC,” he continued. “I’m far too old and I’m done, bro. I’m sorry. I know I need to respect my fans; I respect my fans. I’m sorry guys. I love my sport. I love fight. Fight is my life. But it’s too much bull(expletive).”
