Anderson Silva has issued a sharp retort to UFC CEO Dana White following White’s recent comments about the end of Silva’s tenure with the promotion. The former middleweight champion took to social media to dispute White’s narrative.
In a recent interview, White stated that Silva has not spoken to him since 2020, when White informed the fighter that his UFC career was over after a loss to Uriah Hall. White suggested that fighters often struggle to accept the end of their careers, even when their performance clearly indicates it’s time to retire, and he characterized Silva’s final UFC stretch as having “eight or nine or 10” losses, noting Silva’s subsequent boxing career.
Anderson Silva Challenges Dana White’s Account
Silva, referring to White as “the bald guy,” dismissed the UFC president’s remarks. He asserted that White continues to discuss his accomplishments years after his departure from the UFC and claimed he was instrumental in the promotion’s success on multiple occasions. Silva also contested White’s recollection of his record, suggesting that White “doesn’t know how to count.”
This exchange further highlights the reportedly strained relationship between Silva and White since Silva’s exit from the UFC. White had previously explained that he advised Silva to retire due to his age (in his 40s) and a string of recent losses, while Silva appears to believe the UFC president mishandled the situation. As MMA Fighting noted, Silva has continued to compete in other combat sports, including boxing matches against prominent figures like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Jake Paul, and Tyron Woodley.
Despite their current disagreements, Silva remains an iconic figure in MMA, with his championship reign being a pivotal factor in the UFC’s growth during the 2010s. Both parties, even in conflict, are addressing the core issue of Silva’s legacy and the appropriate timing for a champion to conclude their fighting career.
