Anderson Silva Says Fans Will See ‘The Old Anderson’ When He Faces Israel Adesanya
Anderson Silva will take on Israel Adesanya on Feb. 9 when the two go toe-to-toe in the co-main event of UFC 234.
The Brazilian has just one win in his last six fights having defeated Derek Brunson back at UFC 208 in Feb. 2017, but “The Spider” maintains he will still be at his best when he enters the Octagon to face Adesanya next year.
Silva recently held a press conference at his new gym Spider Kick in Los Angeles and told reporters that he will be heading into UFC 234 without any pressure on his shoulders.
“I think everybody is going to see the old Anderson, but more experienced,” Silva said (H/T MMAJunkie). “I don’t have nothing to prove. I passed through different moments in the sport. I win, I lose. I have a lot of experience. I am just doing something for my fans. I am so happy to be back to fighting and I’m here. Every day I come to training and say, ‘Thank you God. Thank you for giving me one more opportunity to do something special.’”
Despite saying he’s just doing it for the fans, Silva requested a title shot from UFC President Dana White should he defeat Adesanya in Melbourne. According to Silva, it was a request that White didn’t have to think long about.
“[Dana White] said, ‘OK, if you win, you will fight for the belt,’” Silva said. “I said ‘OK, then you’ll have to give me the title shot, because I will win.’”
At 43-years-old, many thank Silva will only tarnish his legacy should he continue to fight. That, however, isn’t something Silva appears to be concerned with and he believes that the opening of his new gym has given him a new lease of life in the sport.
“My legacy is trying to continue. It doesn’t matter how much old or not, because old is in your mind,” Silva said. “When people talk about, ‘Oh, you’re old’ – especially in my home, because my family, my kids say, ‘Dad, stop. You don’t need to prove nothing. Stop.’ And I say say, ‘OK, you have a dream you love, something – just do it.’
“The Spider Kick team helped me a lot, and helped me with a new challenge and new energy to continue my legacy.”
Watch the full video here via MMAJunkie: