A. Silva (photo) will face Diaz in January. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Anderson Silva is getting closer and closer to making his long-awaited return to the UFC octagon. However, long before the fight against Nick Diaz on January 31, 2015, in the main fight of UFC 183, the Brazilian had to overcome depression after the serious leg injury he suffered in the second fight against Chris Weidmanin December 2013.
The former middleweight champion confessed that he seriously feared for the continuation of his career as a professional fighter and stated that he only managed to recover thanks to the support he received from his friends and family. “They were the worst months of my life. When the penny dropped, I thought my career was over. Thousands of things went through my head. There are people who say that depression is a bad thing, but I was depressed, I felt bad. Maybe I wouldn't come back if I didn't have the support of the people I have. This gave me the strength to continue and come back”, said “Spider”, in a press conference held in Rio de Janeiro, this Tuesday (14).
Almost ten months after the fateful injury, Anderson says he now sees the event from a different perspective. “At first, it was a drama for me. But not anymore. It happens. It's like a regular job, when you have a day at work that wasn't good. In my last two fights, that's what happened. I'm renewing a phase of my life that passed and was a good experience. I don’t believe [the injury] will hinder me at all,” he explained.
Anderson says he has psychologically overcome the injury he suffered. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
At 39 years old, Anderson said he was under pressure from his family to hang up his gloves for good. “They were demonstrating at my house. And now, the demonstration continues. Everyone asking 'stop, stop, stop!'. I am joking. They understand that it's something I love to do. This thing about coming back is because I think I missed something during all this fighting. The last few fights I missed something. And I'm looking for that again. I’m training very, very focused, and they understand that,” he said.
However, after a certain lack of clarity regarding his future intentions within the UFC, the Brazilian clarified his plans and said he would not rule out a new fight for the belt, although that is not his priority. “I haven’t changed my mind, no. What happens is this: in my team, we have [Ronaldo] Jacaré; at Black House, we have Lyoto [Machida], and I went through that phase and I have to respect that. Jacaré is standing out, he has my full support to fight for the belt. I'm in the UFC, but I'm past that phase. So, I have no intention of fighting for the belt now. I think I still have to re-accredit myself so that I can have this opportunity again”, he detailed.
Something similar Anderson stated about his only UFC tormentor, Chris Weidman, against whom he does not rule out a new fight, although this is not in his plans. “I never talked about my opponents or who I would like to face. And I learned early in my career that you credential yourself to get where you want, but you never challenge anyone. But I think, as a UFC athlete, things will happen naturally. If I qualify to fight him or anyone else, I would fight. Who wouldn't I fight? With Jacaré, who is my brother, my friend. Things will happen naturally. If I have to fight Weidman, I'll fight, no problem, but I don't like being challenged”, he clarified.
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