Former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva is back in action at UFC 237, facing Jared Cannonier in a middleweight division attraction.
While Silva may want another shot at UFC gold, it isn?t something the fighter is putting all his energy into.
?I never put something in my mind like, ?Oh I need to fight again for the belt,?? Silva said at a UFC 237 media day (via Fernanda Prates & Ken Hathaway of MMA Junkie). ?No. That?s a part in my life I passed. But I continue to fight. But I don?t know ? maybe I have a new opportunity to fight for the belt. I don?t know. But I?m not putting my whole energy like, ?Oh, I need to get back to fight for the title.? No. That?s the (second) point for me, the first point is just continue to fight, continue to put my heart in the sport, then maybe I have a chance to fight for the belt again.?
Silva last challenged for the middleweight title at UFC 168, suffering a second round TKO loss to Chris Weidman via injury.
The former middleweight champion has one major goal while still competing, which is to make the fights special for the fans.
?Everybody talk about ?fight this guy or this guy,? but for me I think it?s more important you make something special for the fans,? Silva said. ?In my opinion and my position now I?m trying to do something very special for my fans. When I fight Israel (Adesanya) everybody talk about, ?Why you fight him? Why you take the fight?? Because it?s a good challenge for myself, for my mind.?
UFC 237 takes place on Saturday, May 11 from the Arena Da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil with Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.