We will be seeing the last of Anderson Silva in mixed martial arts action.
Silva takes on Uriah Hall in a middleweight bout that will headline UFC Vegas 12 on October 31. It will be his first outing since a TKO loss to Jared Cannonier back in May 2019.
And despite having two fights left on his current deal, the former middleweight king will only be competing one more time in the UFC before calling it a day.
“This is the last fight,” Silva told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “For sure, this is the last fight. Probably. I love the sport. I’ve prepared my mind for this. I’ve prepared for fight my entire life, but yes, this is my last fight in UFC.”
If that is indeed the case, it will be the end of what was a 23-year career that saw Silva dazzle fans around the world with his electric performances.
Although he competed for multiple promotions, it is the UFC where he gained the most fame since debuting in 2006. He would go on to become the middleweight champion in 2007 and defend the title for a then-record 11 times during a near seven-year run until 2013.
And despite one win in his last eight outings as well as a failed drug test, the Brazilian is still regarded as the greatest middleweight of all time as well as a GOAT contender.
With fighting so embedded within his life, leaving the sport will certainly not be an easy task either.
“I think (I’ll miss) the training (the most),” Silva said. “Preparing my mind, preparing my body. This I think is most important and I feel sad because I don’t have this anymore. This is the last one.”
That said, “The Spider” is happy with the matchup against Hall.
After all, Hall is a striker who was initially hailed as the next Silva so fans can expect a stand-up battle. And it could allow Silva to have one last spectacular performance before riding off into the sunset.
“I can’t say, ‘Oh, this fight goes to the ground, this fight is done in the standup,’” Silva added. “It’s two good strikers. Uriah’s a very, very athletic guy and has a good technique in the striking and I try to do my best. I try do to the best show for my fans.”