Anderson Silva Vows To Return To The Octagon: ‘I Will Be Back’
MMA fans around the world were shocked by the gruesome and horrific injury sustained by Anderson “The Spider” Silva at the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s December pay-per-view event, UFC 168. In attempting to kick the leg of defending middleweight champion Chris Weidman, Silva snapped his leg above the ankle when Weidman checked the kick.
Even more shocking than the freak injury is the fact that Anderson Silva, after dealing with the possibility of never walking again, has sworn to return to the UFC’s patented Octagon and the fight game.
In an interview over the weekend with Fantástico of Globo.com, Anderson said he won’t be asking for a return match against Weidman, he just wants to fight again.
“I want to be able to do what I do well. Regardless of whether or not for the belt. Regardless of being with the champion or not, I wish I could go back to doing what I do well, that is to fight,” Silva said (translated from Portuguese).
During the interview, Silva discussed his fear of never being able to put weight on the leg again. Anderson also describes replaying the incident in his head every time he lays down to sleep and waking up screaming in pain. Silva mentions he has never returned home from a fight with a significant injury and how upsetting it was to be seen in his current condition by his wife and children.
“It was the worst moment of my career so far. My life and my career,” Silva said.
At the time of the injury, “The Spider” was immediately taken to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where Dr. Steven Sanders, the UFC’s orthopedic surgeon, inserted a titanium rod into Silva’s left tibia from below the knee joint to above the ankle, with three screws securing it. The fibula was stabilized, but without a rod and without a separate surgery, according to the UFC Web site’s “News” section.
“Once the fracture is healed, it doesn’t concern me regarding repeat fracture,” said Sanders.
What do you think about the prospect of Anderson Silva returning to the UFC? Should Anderson Silva get an immediate return match against Chris Weidman? Do you think Anderson Silva will ever regain top form?
