Anderson “The Spider” Silva has defended his title for almost 3 years and has cleaned up most of the UFC middleweight division according to many MMA anlysts, . Silva’s manager Ed Soares gave UFC President Dana White a proposal during the UFC 101 post-fight press conference. According to Soares, the Spider wants the opportunity to move up in weight and become a permanent UFC light heavyweight contender. “He wants to be involved in the biggest fights we can put together,” Soares said.
Although Silva agrees to fight in the 205-pound division to test his skills a bit further, he states that he would never fight the current UFC champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. However, White feels that he would be able to convince both fighters to clash in the octagon sometime down the road. In White’s dressing room, he quickly stated that he would be able to make the fight happen between Machida and Silva if the fans really wanted to see that.
From Anderson Silva:
“Lyoto (Machida) is my friend, he is my brother and there is no way that fight will ever happen.”
From Dana White:
“[In regards to Anderson Silva moving up to light heavyweight] I like that. We can do that…I’d let him. We’d put (the middleweight title) up for grabs. [In regards to a fight between Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida] I’ll make it happen…It’s not even about money. It’s about proving you’re the best, it’s about securing your place in history. It’s about putting on a super fight that fans want to see. I’m all about making big fights that fans want to see.”
