Anderson Silva Broken Leg Update: UFC Legend Wants Boxing Match With Roy Jones Jr. Before Rematch With Chris Weidman
Ultimate Fighting Championship superstar Anderson Silva declared that he will make his return to the Octagon next year, but before he makes his UFC comeback, the injured MMA legend wants to test his leg in a boxing match.
Silva, who sustained a gruesome leg injury during his rematch with Chris Weidman at UFC 168 in December last year, wants another shot at Weidman, but he also reaffirmed his desire to face Roy Jones Jr. in a boxing match.
The 38-year-old Brazilian has been calling out Jones Jr. even before breaking his leg last month.
Fight fans feared that the proposed showdown would remain a fantasy after Silva got injured, but the MMA legend insisted that the boxing match against the former light heavyweight champion is still one of his goals.
"When I get better, that's my biggest goal, especially because I won't be able to fight MMA too soon," Silva said as reported by MMA Fighting. "Fighting in boxing is in my plans, yes, as soon as I'm able to fight again. And Roy is a big idol."
Jones, who was considered as one of the best boxers of his generation during his prime, watched Silva's disheartening loss to Weidman last month as he was also interested in facing Silva. After Silva broke his leg, the 45-year-old former champion said that the planned fight against the Brazilian MMA icon is not dead yet .
"He can come back after that kind of injury, but if he does, is he going to want to still kick in MMA?" Jones said via ESPN UK. "I wouldn't want to kick anymore after that. So he should come to boxing. Ain't no kicking in boxing, and he won't re-injure the leg. Get better, come to boxing and take one big-time event with Roy Jones."
"It would be legend versus legend. It's still a big fight and something people would want to see. People love big names. People get excited about big names, and people would still be excited to see me and Silva," Jones added.
UFC president Dana White was also intrigued about the possibility of a fight card featuring the Silva-Jones boxing match.
White expressed a desire to promote the showdown, but he has yet to talk about it since Silva went down with his injury.