Going into his fight with Jared Cannonier last weekend at UFC 237, Anderson Silva was adamant that he will continue fighting after his co-main event in Rio de Janeiro. His manager Ed Soares even suggested that he may extent his contract with the UFC after he had fought out his last three fights.
However, after losing to Cannonier, by way of a kick to his knee, which he had had trouble with during his fight camp, the Brazilian is now condsidering whether he wants to continue or not. Or is he?
Silva posted a lengthy message on his Instagram page, question whether to ‘stop or continue’.
“STOP OR CONTINUE?!?!?
Speak my people … I often wonder, what are each of us doing on this planet?
If life is only to live by living the maximum possible hours and minutes this is definitely not my motto. I have the full conviction that there is a greater sense in everything we live and do here, the coming of this terrestrial plane has a greater meaning than simply living for living, I believe it is a constant search for evolution.
In those 4 days after another mission that was not successful, I am questioning myself whether or not I should continue training, dedicating myself, overcoming injuries, pains and etc … I always wonder, ‘Is it that the love I feel for my sport is not consuming my mind and body to the point that I can not continue?’
Anyway … all I ever did was try to be a good soldier on my battlefield, the best trained, the most disciplined and ready to die for my mission, because my love for my work has always spoken and speaks louder. I have the complete certainty that I can do all this 1000 thousand times but in the last 4 days with pain, with the uncertainty that are not new in my routine are consuming me more than before, in fact my heart and my mind of Warrior confuse me to the point of creating doubts.
On the other hand I realize that I am not and do not have to be perfect, how much you have been searching for for years has brought me good and bad things as well.
The reason I have decided to talk about what I am feeling here for you, my people, because I believe that many of you who follow me have a love and admiration for my work and on the other hand I am always trying to put positive messages of motivation for all of you … What we really ought to do is take advantage of all the opportunities that life gives us to improve ourselves as people.
So always remember that your failures are always the best teachers and it is in difficult times that people need to find a reason to move on.
Our actions, especially when we have to overcome ourselves, make us better people. Our ability to resist and to continue on the path is what makes us special people.”
It looks like any doubts on carrying on didn’t last long though. Speaking soon after posting his message on Instagram, the former UFC middleweight champion told TMZ Sports that “I’m not stopping, I’m not retiring”.
Silva also added that he is interested in a rematch with Cannonier.
It was reported after the fight that the injury to Silva’s knee wasn’t as bad as originally thought. You can read more about the injury here.
Do you think it’s time Anderson hung up his gloves? Or would you like to see him fight again?
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