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LAS VEGAS – Anderson Silva remained in a Las Vegas hospital Sunday morning following successful surgery to repair a broken leg he suffered trying to regain the UFC's middleweight title.
During Saturday night's fight, Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) threw a kick that was checked by champion Chris Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), and in the process Silva's left leg was badly broken. The fight was the main event of UFC 168 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
STILL CHAMP: Weidman retains belt
Following Silva's surgery, the UFC issued a statement that said UFC orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Sanders had repaired Silva's broken left tibia as well as stabilized his broken left fibula. The UFC estimated his recovery time to be as long as six months.
COLUMN: Silva's injury the end for him?
From UFC:
"Following Saturday evening's UFC 168 main event, former champion Anderson Silva was taken to a local Las Vegas hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a broken left leg. The successful surgery, performed by Dr. Steven Sanders, the UFC's orthopedic surgeon, inserted an intramedullary rod into Anderson's left tibia. The broken fibula was stabilized and does not require a separate surgery. Anderson will remain in the hospital for a short while, but no additional surgery is scheduled at this time. Recovery time for such injuries may vary between three and six months. Anderson is deeply touched by the outpouring of support from his fans and the entire MMA community. There has been no immediate decision about his future, and he would kindly ask for privacy at this time as he deals with his injury and prepares to return home to recover."
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The first round was dominated by Weidman, who took Silva's belt in a stunning knockout at UFC 162 in July. In the second, he checked a Silva low kick – leading to one of the most gruesome injuries in MMA history.
Silva immediately collapsed to the canvas, yelling out in pain as referee Herb Dean waved the fight off.
"Anderson Silva has been amazing," UFC president Dana White said at the post-event news conference. "He's one of the greatest of all time, if not the best ever. It's a (explitive) way to see him go out, but it's part of the game."
Questions will now be raised about Silva's future, whether he can eventually return from such an injury or if this fight was effectively a retirement bout.
Matt Erickson also writes for MMAJunkie.com.
