Anderson Silva Released From UFC Contract

Anderson Silva’s UFC run is over, as the company has released him from his contract. MMA Fighting reports that the organization agreed with Silva to part ways, ending a 14-year run with the UFC that saw him go 17-7-1 and hold the record for the longest title reign in UFC history.

Dana White initially told TMZ that Silva was still under contract but later said he was mistaken and confirmed Silva’s release. Silva is free to sign with any organization and though he retired following his loss to Uriah Hall at UFC on ESPN+ 39, he left the door open for a potential return.

White had said in the post-show press conference that he didn’t believe Silva should have fought and was adamant that he would not fight for the UFC again, saying, “Look at Anderson. When the fight was over, he couldn’t even stand up to do his interview. He had to sit down and do an interview. I made a big mistake and I shouldn’t have let him fight this fight tonight. He’s a legend of this sport and he’s a legend of this company, and I did something I disagreed with. I knew I was right, and tonight proved I was right, and Anderson Silva should never fight again. I don’t feel good about myself that I let Anderson Silva fight this last fight.”

Silva won the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 64 in February of 2007 and held it for sixteen straight wins, before losing it to Chris Weidman at UFC 162 in July of 2013. After that loss he won only once, a decision win over Derek Brunson at UFC 208 in February of 2017.