Anderson Silva cleared for training, 'really motivated' to return at UFC 200

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Anderson Silva underwent successful gall bladder surgery a few weeks back after being forced to withdraw from the UFC 198 pay-per-view (PPV) fight card in Curitiba, Brazil.

Fortunately for "Spider" fans, the aging Brazilian is on the mend and already has the green light to get back inside the gym. That means his wish to compete at the upcoming UFC 200 event in July may be granted, depending on Silva's recovery timeline.

Trainer Rogerio Camoes talks to Sherdog.com:

"Thank God everything went fine and Anderson is already planning his return. (Silva) told me, ‘Master, pack everything up. We're going to UFC 200.' The most important thing is that he kept his mind strong and didn't lose his motivation. On the contrary, he's really motivated to take part at that historical UFC 200 event."

Silva was recently cleared to return to light training, according to MMA Fighting, but boxing coach Luiz Carlos Dorea is pessimistic about a UFC 200 return.

Patiently waiting is middleweight striker Uriah Hall, who was left without a date to the big dance when Silva was struck down by his faulty gall bladder. "Prime Time" -- who was passed over for this -- remains unscheduled and could meet "The Spider" in July.

Time will tell.