Anderson Silva was in a joyful mood late Thursday night during a special press conference to confirm his bout at UFC 200 vs. Daniel Cormier.
Silva stated that he reached out to the UFC hours after they removed Jon Jones from Saturday’s main event, joining both Gegard Mousasi and Dan Henderson as possible options to keep Cormier on the card. The UFC light heavyweight title will not be on the line.
While in the past we have seen a serious side to Silva at these kind of events, the former middleweight champion had fun with both UFC president Dana White and members of the media.
“I’m gonna have to run from him a lot,” Silva said. “I’m joking, boss. I come to fight.”
Silva has not fought since a loss earlier this year via decision to current UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping in England. An injury forced him off the recent Brazilian pay-per-view card and a fight vs. Uriah Hall.
When a reporter mentioned Silva possibly working his way into a title fight with Cormier if he is successful Saturday night, “The Spider” said “Yes,” while clapping his hands together.
Silva, who was recovering from gallbladder surgery, said he has not been training but “a fight is a fight.” He will induct long-time friend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira into the UFC Hall of Fame on Sunday.
