Ivan Salaverry will return to the Octagon this evening for the first time in almost two years when he squares off against Terry Martin at UFC 71 in a middleweight showdown.
Unfortunately, his future with the UFC — or as a competitive mixed martial artist for that matter — is uncertain, according to the Canadian Press.
Here's a snip from Ivan:
"This could be it for me, I honestly can tell you. I had a very nice career. I've talked it over with my wife and family, and the priorities are really going into the school (Salaverry's gym), teaching, maybe some promotions, creating a fight team. Things of that nature."
Color me one of the fans who was thrilled to see him back in the UFC 185-pound fray.
He catches a lot of heat for being rather "unexciting," but I think most of those pundits only think as far back to the abortion at UFC Fight Night in 2005.
On that night, Salaverry dropped a unanimous decision in the main event of the evening to Nathan Marquardt. The fight was so dull that Ivan eventually was dropped from his contract (he lobbied hard for a rematch) and Marquardt has toiled in relative obscurity.
(Even though Nate now does have a fight lined up against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 73: "Stacked" later this year.)
Regardless, Salaverry is a very game — and dangerous — opponent, piling up an impressive record (12-4) since his professional career began back in 1999.
In the article, Salaverry considers his return to the UFC as, "basically business."
Here's another snip:
"It's not so much that I care or I'm giddy to go back to the UFC. I'm in contract so I have to fight. So fight I will."
Boy, can you say apathetic?
Don't get me wrong, Salaverry may come out inspired and want to end his storied career on a high note.
But I think after reading that I'm going to bet on Martin — he's on his way in, while Salaverry sounds like he already checked out.
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