Anderson Silva said that retirement is not yet in sight as he claimed that he recently inked a new deal to extend his partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) promotion.
Silva, who has not stepped into the Octagon since breaking his leg during his rematch with Chris Weidman in December last year, said in a recent interview that he met with UFC president Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertita.
The Brazilian mixed martial artist claimed that the meeting happened on Thursday where he agreed to a 15-fight deal offered by White and Fertita, replacing his current deal where he has seven fights left after his comeback bout in January.
"I had seven fights on my contract," Silva told Combate via MMA Junkie. "I met Lorenzo and Dana on Thursday, and that contract was canceled. We signed for another 15 fights. To make Dana crazy, I signed for 15 more fights. And to make my family crazy too."
UFC has yet to announce any new deal with Silva, which suggests that the claim of the former middleweight champion should be taken with a grain of salt.
Silva's manager, Ed Soares, was reportedly contacted by ESPN, but did not respond to question about the alleged new deal. White, on the other hand, said: "Must be, if he said it" when he was asked if Silva's statement is true.
Silva will make his comeback from the long layoff when he collides with Nick Diaz at UFC 183 on January 31 in Las Vegas. And if he wins, the 39-year-old is expected to ask for a title fight, probably against Chris Weidman again.
A fight against Phil Davis is also a possibility after the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion challenged Silva, saying that winning against the Brazilian legend will solidify his reputation as a "Brazilian killer."
"All the questions around the open workout were centered around me being the 'Brazilian Killer.' I don't know if I'd call myself a killer, but at the same time, that would complete my trifecta of Brazilian fighters," Davis said of facing Silva via MMA Junkie. "One of the absolute best Brazilian fighters, and one of the absolute best fighters there is. Why not? He's an amazing fighter."
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