Businessman considers three possible opponents for Anderson Silva’s return to the UFC

Anderson (photo) is expected to return to the UFC in early 2015. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Anderson Silva and his staff have already started planning the fighter's return to the UFC. Ed Soares, one of his managers, revealed the names of three athletes he is considering to be “Spider’s” next opponent in the octagon: Michael Bisping, Cung le e Nick Diaz.

Bisping and Le will face each other in August during an event to be held in Macau in August. The Englishman has been alternating victories and defeats for six fights, the last being a setback against Tim Kennedy. Le hasn't fought since 2012, when he knocked out Rich Franklin in November.

The controversial Diaz has also been away from the UFC for a long time. His last fight was in March 2013, when he was defeated by Georges St Pierre in a fight valid for the Ultimate welterweight belt.

"There is Michael Bisping, Cung le and even Nick Diaz. Diaz already said he wanted to face him. Can you believe that Nick Diaz and Anderson probably have the best boxing in MMA, so we'll see what happens. I'm sure the UFC will come up with a good plan regarding the opponent and I'm sure it will be a good fight”, commented Soares, in an interview with The MMA Hour podcast.

According to the businessman, Anderson is training at full speed. “He is definitely coming back. He's feeling good, training hard. Everything is going well. I don't see him returning before the end of this year. The most likely is the beginning of next year. There’s always a chance he could come back in 2014, but right now our plan is for a fight early next year,” he revealed.

Anderson has not fought since December last year, when he suffered a serious fracture in his left leg during his fight against Chris Weidman, when he was trying to regain the UFC middleweight belt.

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