Anderson Silva Has Rod Inserted in Leg, Faces Long Road to Recovery and Uncertain Future

UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman retained his belt on Saturday night following his headlining rematch with Anderson Silva at UFC 168 in Las Vegas. It was a bittersweet victory, however, as Silva broke his left left when Weidman checked a kick.

The bone in Silva’s lower left leg snapped in half upon impact, sending the former champion immediately to the canvas, clutching his leg in agony.

He was immediately rushed out of the Octagon and to a local Las Vegas hospital for surgery, where a rod was inserted into Silva’s left tibia to help stabilize the leg.

“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,” read a UFC update on the former champion’s condition. “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.”

While the prospects for a full recovery appear to be strong, at 38 years of age, and having risen to the highest levels of the mixed martial arts world, it remains to be seen just what Silva’s next career steps bring. It will still be a long road to travel and is clearly too soon for Silva to make any decisions about his future other than to focus on recovery.

“Anderson is deeply touched by the outpouring of support from his fans and the entire MMA community,” UFC officials relayed. “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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