Michael Bisping calls for Anderson Silva's retirement after UFC 237: 'Father Time has caught up'
Michael Bisping wants to see fellow former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva hang up his gloves after another loss Saturday at UFC 237.
Silva (34-10 MMA, 17-6 UFC) has won just once in his past eight fights after he suffered a first-round TKO defeat against Jared Cannonier (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC). “The Spider” took an inside leg kick in the late stages of the first frame and immediately went down to the canvas writhing in pain.
The Brazilian had to be helped out of the octagon after the fight, which took place in his native Brazil at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. It was not a promising scene for the 44-year-old, who is the oldest active member of the UFC roster.
Bisping didn’t like to see it either. “The Count,” who beat Silva by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 84 in February 2016, said the outcome should mark the end to the line for his fighting career.
“Anderson Silva is a true legend of the sport – he’s given so much,” Bisping said on the UFC 237 post-fight show on ESPN+. “(He was) a longtime champion, but he’s 44 years old. A lot of people wondered, ‘Why is he still fighting?’ I think tonight, even though he looked OK, the fight obviously ended. He took a little inside leg kick and I think that he tore his ACL. I don’t think we’ll ever see Anderson Silva fight again. He certainly doesn’t need to.”
It’s not often fighters are heard calling for another fighter’s retirement. However, Bisping said that’s what needs to happen with Silva.
“Father Time has caught up (with him),” Bisping said. “With the greatest of respect, Anderson Silva needs to retire. He’s already given so much to this sport. He doesn’t need to give any more. Enjoy retirement.”
Silva has not made any public comments since his loss at UFC 237. Despite the painful nature of his defeat, he was not transported to hospital after the fight and instead opted to go home.
For complete coverage of UFC 237, check out the UFC Events section of the site.