Anderson Silva Released By UFC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White told the mixed martial arts (MMA) media that former middleweight champion Anderson Silva was done with the promotion, despite the fact that “The Spider” still had one fight remaining on his current deal.

Legally, White and Co. had to honor that last fight or cut Silva loose so the Brazilian can compete elsewhere. According to a report from MMA Fighting, UFC opted for the latter, giving the former pound-for-pound great the ability to negotiate with rival promotions.

Perhaps if Silva had said goodbye to UFC a few years back, a transition to Bellator MMA would have been inevitable. But these days, Scott Coker and his team have been turning away 40-something veterans, ending what used to be considered the UFC retirement home.

That said, there are still plenty of options for “The Spider,” who turns 46 in April. He can follow fellow UFC export Vitor Belfort to ONE Championship, or head back to Brazil for Tauro MMA. Or maybe he can listen to his kids and simply ride off into the sunset.