Anderson Silva is ‘very old,’ wants to rest before next challenge after UFC 208 win

Anderson Silva made a triumphant return to action at last night’s (Sat., Feb. 11, 2017) UFC 208 pay-per-view (PPV) event in Brooklyn, New York, defeating Derek Brunson via unanimous decision (video highlights here).

Despite many — Dana White included — feeling Brunson should’ve walked away the victory, a win is a win and Silva, for one, is happy with the judges’ decision that helped earn his first official victory in nearly five years.

"I think I was more technical, and I moved more," Silva stated during the post-fight presser via MMAjunkie. "In the last round, my opponent put me on the ground. But I was more offensive, and I attacked more. This is a good question for the judges."

The win also helped "The Spider" dismiss any naysayers who feel he should retire and helped add more fuel to the fire that he could fight on for seven more years. At the end of the day, Silva says walking away isn’t that easy, especially when fighting is life.

"I have just one thing to say: I’m so happy, because first of all, I love fighting," he said. "Second, sometimes when different people talk to me and say, ‘Why don’t you stop? You don’t need to prove anything.’ I respond, ‘This is my air. This is my heart. Fighting is my life. When I go inside the cage, I’m back to being 30 years old and happy, because this is my life."

Still, the 41-year old combatant isn’t lost on the fact that he is far from a Spring chicken, saying that he will rest a bit before stepping back into the Octagon.

"I’m waiting for my next challenge in the cage, " said Silva. "But now, I need to rest a little bit. I’m old," he said. "I’m very old. But I have a lot of experience, and I have perfect timing. This is more important."

Anyone care to throw out a few suggestions for "The Spider’s" next opponent for when he eventually returns?

For complete UFC 208 results and coverage click here.