The UFC G.O.A.T. Anderson Silva appeared recently on Rede Globo’s “Esporte Espetacular” Brazilian sports television program, and said he underwent two surgeries successfully, and is in training for a fight late in 2020 or early in 2021.
“UFC owes me a superfight by contract,” said Silva, as translated by Marcelo Alonso for Sherdog. “Conor [McGregor] called me out right after my fight with [Israel] Adesanya. Our team talked to his team and we agreed upon a bout at welterweight, but something happened and UFC decided to not make it. Then Anthony Pettis proposed that superfight, and I liked it because he was already a champion who has impressive knockouts. Of course, it would be a great super fight.
At this point in my career and for all my legacy, it doesn’t make any sense to face new talents that are entering the game now. I don’t want to be a ‘step’ for the new generation. I want to face relevant champions for the sport. And definitely Pettis is a great challenge that will make me train a lot.
Silva said he expects the fight vs. Pettis to be at middleweight.
Also appearing on the show was Anderson’s son Gabriel, 23, who won to amateur kickboxing bouts in the USA, and is training jiu-jitsu, with an eye towards making his MMA debut shortly.
Silva said that a potential bout with Pettis would take place at middleweight.
“Having my dad as master and mentor is something really special,” said Gabriel. “We talk a lot and he gives me a unique overview of the sport. Not only about technical aspects but also about work ethics, discipline, and martial arts behavior. He is like a martial arts bible.”
“He always advises me to be myself and not accept comparisons. After all, at the end of the day, I´m Gabriel not Anderson. But of course, I´m prepared to face that too.”
“My plan is to gain the most experience I can in boxing and kickboxing events and later migrate to MMA. Of course, the UFC is a future dream, but I´m not in a hurry. I don’t want to go to the UFC because my father was a legend there but because the best are there. But I´m not in a hurry. I don’t need to go straight to UFC. I can test myself in other events before I go there.”
Anderson Silva’s son has time to establish his own fight identity, but moving backwards, UG, what do you think of Silva vs. Conor McGregor?
