Anderson Silva: I thought I was going to be paralyzed
Anderson Silva: “I couldn’t move or feel my legs and feet. I was scared. I had never experienced anything like that before… I thought I was going to be paralyzed.”
There was considerable alarm on The UG on November 3, when it was learned that former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva had collapsed in pain at Brazil’s X-Gym, said he couldn’t feel his legs, and spent the night in the hospital.
Aside from concern about the health and well being of one of the most popular fighters in the sports’ history, there was worry that the fight with Nick Diaz on Jan 3 was in jeopardy.
The diagnosis was lumbago, or lower back pain, something that 40% of the population will suffer at some point during their life. For athletes in a contact sport, the figure is higher.
“I couldn’t move or feel my legs and feet,” Silva told Veja Rio, as transcribed by MMA’s man in Brazil Guilherme Cruz for MMAFighting. “I was scared. I had never experienced anything like that before.”
“I couldn’t believe when I felt that back pain. I thought I was going to be paralyzed.”
“I still feel pain in my leg, but I will kick with full force. This is my ultimate test.”