Anderson Silva Next Fight: 'Spider' To Face Michael Bisping in Return From Suspension?
Anderson Silva is not yet done serving his one-year suspension, but he is already looking forward to his next fight, as reported by Bloody Elbow. "The Spider" told Fight Night Dagestan in Russia on UFC Fight Pass that he would return in April 2016. He even added that he already has an opponent.
"I think I fight in Curitiba, in April, on the same card Fabricio Werdum fights Cain Velasquez. I think my opponent will be Michael Bisping, I can't remember very well, I think it's him," Silva told Combate as translated by Bloody Elbow.
Silva was suspended for one year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and was fined $380,000. His suspension will end on January 31, 2016, according to a report by MMA Frenzy. The former UFC Middleweight champion tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs after his fight with Nick Diaz on UFC 183.
The 40-year-old Brazilian and his camp claimed that he did not knowingly took the performance enhancing drugs. They pointed out the fact that Silva never failed any of his drug tests in the UFC and blamed a tainted sexual enhancement drug from Thailand.
His rumoured opponent, Michael "The Count" Bisping, was surprised when he heard the news, saying on Instagram, "First I've heard. Just leave the viagra out of it and I'm in." He also spoke with FOX Sports about the possibility of him fighting against the former pound-for-pound king.
"It's funny, I was in the car driving up to L.A. and a friend of mine just texted that picture as I was driving and I was like, 'Oh, really?' I had no idea. Apparently he thinks we're fighting. I found it very amusing," Bisping said.
"The Count" was also asked if the positive PED test would determine if he would fight Silva or not. "Anderson is an absolute legend. Of course, the whole thing is a little bit tainted now because of the positive drug test so it's not the burning desire it once was. But that said, it has peaked my interest shall we say. I will call the UFC and say, 'Listen if they want to do it, then [expletive] it, I'm in'," he answered.
The UFC has not formally announced the April 2016 event and Silva has not fought in Brazil since 2012 when he defeated Stephan Bonnar. If everything goes according to plan, "The Spider" will fight for the first time in his hometown of Curitiba, Brazil.
As for the 36-year-old Englishman, he will have to defeat Robert Whittaker at UFC 193 on Nov. 15 in Melbourne, Australia for the bout with Silva to materialize.
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