To some fighters, age is just a number.

Just ask UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, who at 37 years old, is still going strong with a 15-0 record inside the Octagon since making his debut with the promotion in 2006.

Of course, as fighters get up there in age, they repeatedly get questioned about when they'll finally hang the gloves up for good and that was no different for "The Spider" in a recent interview with Brazilian newspaper Estadao. His answer (translated) may surprise you:

"I guess you can see more like six years of fighting. I love what I do. The team that works with me does a fantastic job. I've never had a serious injury that took myself away from competition. So I think I have this a little while longer."

Silva recently refuted retirement rumors at the press conference before his last bout, a second round TKO over rival Chael Sonnen, but this isn't the first time the topic has been breached.

It wasn't too long ago that Silva's manager, Ed Soares, mentioned that "The Spider" would only be fighting four more times in his career before retiring. Granted, that may have been some backroom political posturing to avoid rematches, but it's still out there.

Silva has been heavily rumored to be fighting UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre in a "dream fight" although GSP poured some cold water on the possibility earlier today.

With potentially six more years of fighting, there's no reason to rush top prospects like Chris Weidman into the title picture just yet, although Silva didn't mention that he would be fighting mixed martial arts for all six years.

Silva has long discussed wanting to have a boxing match against his idol Roy Jones Jr. when his MMA career is over, so that's something to consider as well.

With the Brazilian's tendency to fight only once or twice a year the past few years, I'd estimate he could squeeze in about 10 fights in a six year timespan.

Does that seem plausible to you, Maniacs?

Do you honestly see Silva fighting into his mid-40s? Who do you think he'll end up fighting next once his little vacation is over in 2013?

Sound off!