Anderson Silva Confirms UFC Vegas 12 Fight With Uriah Hall Is His Last

Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Certain retirements in modern mixed martial arts seem to be few and far between - but for middleweight icon, Anderson 'The Spider' Silva - he has confirmed his UFC Vegas 12 headliner opposite Uriah 'Primetime' Hall next weekend will be the last time he steps foot inside the Octagon. 

The 45-year-old São Paulo maestro is slated to make his staggering twenty-fifth appearance under the UFC's banner at the October 31st. event - hoping to score his first victory since February of 2017 at UFC 208 where he took home a close unanimous decision win over Derek Brunson.

The former middleweight kingpin looks to lock horns with fellow striker, The Ultimate Fighter 17 finalist, Hall - with hopes to bring an end to a two-fight slide opposite current 185-pound best, Israel Adesanya, and a leg kick knockout loss to contender Jared Cannonier in May of last year. 

With a professional record of 34-10, Silva represents one of the most recognisable mixed martial artists to ever walk the globe, lodging one of the most dominant reigns over a division in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Next weekend at the UFC Apex in front of a closed gate, Silva has confirmed he'll make his final Octagon walk in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. 

"This is my last fight," Silva said. "For sure, this is the last fight. Probably. I love this sport. I've prepared my mind for this. I've prepared for fight my entire life, but yes, this is my last fight in UFC. I think (I'll miss) the training (the most). Preparing my mind, preparing my body. This I think is most important and I feel sad because I don't have this anymore. This is the last one."

A real revolutionary figure in the sport and a fighter who represented a change in approach - Silva debuted in the UFC back in June of 2005 opposite Chris Leben. Scoring an opening round-knockout via a patented knee, Silva arrived with an instant impact.

Instated into the title picture, Silva utilised his then unmatched Muay Thai and particularly a plum clinch to finish champion, Rich Franklin, again in the opening round. With a record that was only bested by former flyweight great, Demetrious Johnson in October of 2017 - Silva had scored a shocking ten consecutive successful title defence run.

The Chute Boxe Academy mainstay managed defences against Nate Marquardt, Franklin in a rematch, as well as Dan Henderson, Patrick Côte, Thales Leites, Demian Maia, Chael Sonnen (x2), Vitor Belfort, and Yushin Okami. 

As well as his record-setting ten-fight unbeaten run as middleweight champion, Silva has landed a slew of other promotional records such as the most knockouts in UFC title fights (7), most knockdowns in UFC history (18), most finishes in UFC title fights (9), most wins in the UFC middleweight division (11), longest win streak in promotional antiquity (16), and the longest title reign in promotional history at a staggering (2457) days to name a few.