UFC middleweight champion and pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva will not appear in the Octagon again for the rest of 2009. As first reported by ESPN’s “MMA Live” in a tweet message, Silva will undergo elbow surgery which will keep “The Spider” on the shelf until early 2010. Specific details of the surgery are not immediately known.
Silva (25-4), who is undefeated in UFC competition, is currently on a UFC record 10-fight win streak including six title defenses. Silva most recently dismantled former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin (16-6) by KO in a one-sided fight in the co-main event of UFC 101 in Philadelphia. After the fight Silva’s manager Ed Soares stated the champ was going to take some time off and rest after having his second fight of the year.
With Silva being out for the rest of this year a number one contender fight between Nate Marquardt and Dan Henderson could happen. Both fighters have been pushing for a rematch with Silva who defeated Marquardt at UFC 73 and Henderson at UFC 82.
Each fighter has stated their case recently as Henderson knocked out Michael Bisping at UFC 100 and Marquardt had an equally impressive showing with a one-punch KO of previously undefeated Demian Maia at UFC 102.
Soares has stated time and again he feels Marquardt and Henderson should fight each other for the number one contender spot. Now with Silva sidelined for a few months, a top contender fight between the two middleweight stars makes more sense than ever.
By: Dusty Adams