Anderson Silva Says He’s Through Winning Titles

Anderson Silva's interest in winning titles in mixed martial arts (MMA) has diminished. In a recent interview before he flew to Brazil to continue his training for his return to the Octagon in January, Silva said that he doesn't worry about title fights anymore.

Speaking to Renata Ceribelli for Fantastico, Silva said that it doesn't matter if his January fight is not a title fight. He said he is done winning championship belts and being a titleholder in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He even compared himself to sport legends Ayrton Senna and Pele.

"There will only be one Ayrton Senna, one Pele, and one Anderson Silva," the 39-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist told Ceribelli. "So whoever saw me (as a champion), saw me and those who haven't seen me (as a champion), will never get to see it," Silva added.

In the history of UFC, Silva holds the record of the longest title defence. He has successfully defended the UFC middleweight belt for 10 times, from 2006 to 2012, before losing it to Chris Weidman in their first meeting in July 2013. He is tied with Georges St-Pierre for the most wins in title fights in the UFC with 11. Silva has also earned accomplishments in Cage Rage Championships, World MMA Awards, Sherdog, and Sports Illustrated.

Meanwhile, Silva has reportedly been having sessions with a psychologist to help him move on and get over his fear after the gruesome leg injury that he UFC 168 main event against Weidman in December.

Silva has reportedly gone surgery after breaking his fibula and tibia. A steel rod was inserted to his leg and he has undergone extensive rehabilitation program, subsequently. After he broke the two bones in his leg, Silva has said that he never thought of retiring from his mixed martial arts career in the UFC. In May, Silva's doctors had given him the go-signal to fight, but said that he won't be fighting until 2015.

Silva will make his comeback to the octagon ring on Jan. 31. He will face returning UFC fighter Nick Diaz, who declared his retirement from the sport following his loss against Georges St-Pierre in April 2013, in Las Vegas.

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