UFC: Anderson Silva Wants Title Shot, Ready for Bout Against Michael Bisping
Anderson "The Spider" Silva is set to make his return from a year-long suspension on Feb. 27, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 83 in London, England against Michael "The Count" Bisping. Silva, the former long-time middleweight champion, recently said that he will be ready for his fight against the Bisping at the 02 Arena and is looking for a possible title shot.
"I would love this fight to be in Brazil, but it's going to be a pleasure to come back and face Michael Bisping at the sold-out O2 Arena in London. It's been a while since I fought in London for the last time, and I'm really excited to be back. I believe this is going to be a big test so I can come back and go after a title shot," Silva told UFC Brazil as translated by MMA Fighting.
Anderson Silva vs Michael Bisping is the main event in London on Feb 27 on @UFCFightPass!!! pic.twitter.com/8Ybof2BbMZ
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 24, 2015
UFC President Dana White announced the fight as the main event of the London show on Christmas Day on his Twitter account. Bisping was scheduled to fight former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion, Gegard Mousasi. He noted on his Twitter account that he is not injured and will still fight on the card in the co-main event as his manager negotiates with the UFC to find him a new opponent.
Silva is currently 0-2-1 in his last three fights, losing twice to Chris Weidman and getting his win over Nick Diaz turned to a no-contest after failing a post-fight drug test for performance enhancing drugs. He was subsequently suspended for one year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and was fined $380,000, per MMA Frenzy.
The 40-year-old legend and his camp claimed that he did not knowingly take the performance enhancing drugs and pointed out the fact that Silva never failed any of his drug tests in the UFC. Silva's team blamed a tainted sexual enhancement drug given by a friend while on a trip in Thailand.
As for Bisping, he is currently recovering from an elbow injury, but he is 3-1 on his last four fights including wins over C.B. Dollaway and former middleweight title challenger Thales Leites. "The Count" has retracted from his recent comments about now wanting to fight cheaters.
The trash-talking Brit already took a shot on Silva, making fun of his use of sexual enhancement drugs on Twitter.
@SpiderAnderson see you in London my friend! Just leave the viagra out of it! #randomtesting — michael (@bisping) December 24, 2015
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