Photo Credit: ESPN
Per UFC press release:
Zuffa, LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, released the following statement regarding Anderson Silva’s injury.
“Following Saturday evening’s UFC 168 main event, former champion Anderson Silva was taken to a local Las Vegas hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a broken left leg. The successful surgery, performed by Dr. Steven Sanders, the UFC’s orthopedic surgeon, inserted an intramedullary rod into Anderson’s left tibia. The broken fibula was stabilized and does not require a separate surgery. Anderson will remain in the hospital for a short while, but no additional surgery is scheduled at this time. Recovery time for such injuries may vary between three and six months.
“Anderson is deeply touched by the outpouring of support from his fans and the entire MMA community. There has been no immediate decision about his future, and he would kindly ask for privacy at this time as he deals with his injury and prepares to return home to recover.”
It’s hard to say if Anderson Silva will ever fight again in MMA. My guess is that he will not as he will be close to 40 years old by the time he recovers and is able to train properly for an actual fight. Also, I’m sure the psychological aspect of trying to kick again would be very difficult to overcome. He doesn’t have anything left to prove in the sport, he has made plenty of money, but it’s sad to see the best MMA fighter of our generation go out this way if indeed it was the last time we see him competing.