Like many of the current crop of MMA stars reaching the age of retirement Anderson Silva has a special place in his heart for Japan. He is a former Shooto middleweight champion who also fought on some of the Pride cards.
Silva took the UFC by storm winning his first 26 fights in the octagon and becoming the middleweight champion. Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour the legendary Brazilian hinted that he would like his final fight to take place in Japan
“Oh, you know, when I stopped (fighting) in the UFC, I talked to Japan about doing my last fight there. Because it completely makes sense, because I (started) my professional career in Japan.”
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First belt
Silva didn’t actually make his pro debut in Japan but he definitely made his name there.
“My first title belt I took in Japan in Shooto. And yeah, maybe I want to fight in Japan. My last fight, you know, to prove my respect for the people in Japan, for my fans in Japan, too. And we’ll see. I don’t know,” added the 47-year-old.
Silva had three losses to Japanese fighters on his record when he was signed by the UFC. His title winning run in the octagon would massively enhance the reputation of the four men who had already beaten him.
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Celebrity boxing
Silva’s UFC career came to an ignominious end as he was released after losing seven out of his last eight fights. But the veteran has enjoyed success on the celebrity boxing circuit beating the likes of Tito Ortiz and Julio Chavez Jnr.
He faces YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul on October 29th and will be hoping to secure a payday that rivals his biggest UFC purses. The idea of Silva returning to Japan for one final MMA fight is an appealing one.
Floyd Mayweather is booked for an exhibition boxing match at Super Rizin this Sunday. The promotion found a spot for the boxing legend’s bodyguard on the fight card and it’s matchmakers would surely relish the opportunity to match Silva with a Japanese opponent one last time.
