Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, a fighter who many believe to be the finest to ever compete in the UFC’s Octagon, says he will retire by the end of the month.
The Brazilian is set to take on Uriah Hall at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on 31 October. That appearance, Silva says, will be his last.
“This is the last fight. For sure, this is the last fight. Probably,” Silva told MMA Junkie.
“I love the sport. I’ve prepared my mind for this. I’ve prepared for fighting my entire life, but yes, this is my last fight in UFC.”
Silva held the UFC middleweight championship for a record seven years. However, age has caught up with the 45-year-old who hasn’t competed since his TKO loss to Jared Cannonier in May, 2019. He has only emerged from the cage victorious on one occasion over the last eight years.
The Hall bout will be Silva’s 46th professional MMA contest and says he will miss the lead-up to his fights the most when he hangs up his four-ounce gloves.
“Preparing my mind, preparing my body,” Silva said when asked about what he will miss most about competition. “This I think is most important and I feel sad because I don’t have this anymore. This is the last one.”