Anderson Silva's Retirement

It seems as fast as he came into the UFC, he's already leaving. In an interview with Brazilian TV station SporTV in September of 2008, Silva mentioned that he was looking to retire from MMA within the next year. The next year being September 2009. The reason he's still around, as explained by his manager Ed Soares, is because he is still contractually obligated to fight 6 more opponents. His third fight on that contract was Forrest Griffin, which ended in a beautiful counter shot knockout. Ever since Anderson entered into MMA he has left a trail of bodies, making his opponents look like poor challenges. He has 25 wins and 4 losses. Two by submission early in his career, 1 by decision (which happens to the best of fighters), and 1 by DQ in result of a bizarre defensive open-guard kick, knocking Yushin Okami unconscious. He is arguably the best pound for pound, and has definitely shown why. Every opponent thrown at him has lasted an average of 1.9 rounds, and the majority of his wins have been via (T)KO. So this leaves one to wonder, why is he retiring? He is such a dominant fighter, it seems as if he could follow in Randy Couture's shoes and continue defeating opponents at the age of 46. But Silva's manager, Ed Soares, has stated that Anderson wants to retire when he is 35. An age he turns on April 14th, 2010.

Silva has many accomplishments in MMA. He has black belts in Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu, and recently earned one in Kenpo Karate. A martial art utilized by Lyoto Machida (though he uses Shotokan). He was the Shooto Middleweight champion, Last Cage Rage Middleweight champion, he has the most consecutive title defenses in the UFC with 6, won Fight of the Night honors twice, Knockout of the night twice, submission of the night with his triangle choke over Travis Lutter, and of course is the current Middleweight champion of the UFC. He was also nominated for the 2009 ESPYS "Best Fighter" award, along with his good friend Loyoto Machida, Shane Mosley, and Manny Pacquiao (the winner of that award). It's very safe to say that Anderson Silva has had a dominating career ever since his first Professional fight in MMA (which he lost but still put on a terrific performance). So why the retirement? We should find that out in due time, but I just hope Silva gives us a few more highlights before he hangs his gloves up for the last time.

I think going out on top is a great idea. One thing I think about all the time is what some of these guys are going to be like in say 15 years or so. Clay Guida is a good example. I like the dude but he has taken so many head shots his iq is soon going to match his caveman look he has going.

Yeah he'll retire for awhile then come back and beat everyones ass again.