Anderson Silva Reveals Plans for Farewell MMA Fight in Japan

Anderson Silva isn’t done with mixed martial arts just yet.

“The Spider” discussed the possibility shortly after the premiere of the film "Murder City,” which launched on Friday and features a cast that includes the former UFC middleweight champion. In an interview with Brazilian outlet Combate.com, Silva revealed that a farewell MMA bout in Japan is in the works.

“We have a proposal and we are negotiating with Japan. There will definitely be something cool for the fans,” Silva said. “I can't give spoilers. But what we are actually negotiating in relation to MMA is my last fight in Japan. Because it has everything to do with it, it's where I started my international career, where I won my first world title, in Shooto. I think it has everything to do with ending my career in Japan.”

The most dominant middleweight champion in UFC middleweight history also discussed the current state of the division. He does not approve of Alex Pereira’s decision to leave the weight class after losing the belt in a rematch against Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 this past April. Pereira will make his light heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291.

“In my view, the strategy he used to going up to light heavyweight was a little wrong,” Silva said. “I think he should have stayed in his division, regained the belt, then kept [the title] and in the future, moved to light heavyweight.

“But he has his own business strategy together with his manager. But Alex is a great friend, a guy who deserves all the best, who has enormous potential to become a big UFC star and continue to bring that joy to the Brazilian people.”