After broken leg, Anderson Silva says he'll be '100 percent' for Nick Diaz fight

Former UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva says it’s safe to say the champion is back. It’s probably also safe to say he’s returning with a bit more humility.

A relaxed and jovial Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) faced the Brazilian media today to answer questions about his upcoming January return against Nick Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) and reported his comeback is on track nearly a year after a grisly broken leg suffered in a rematch with champ Chris Weidman at UFC 168.

“I believe on fight night, I will be 100 percent,” Silva said at today’s gathering in Rio de Janeiro.

Silva said he’s currently working on exercises to strengthen his leg, but he’s throwing the same kicks that brought a halt to his career and threatened retirement after a celebrated career.

The 39-year-old ex-champ joked, “When in doubt, I’ll kick from the hip up. That way, I won’t have any problems.”

Silva, who headlines UFC 183 opposite Diaz on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas, said he plans to give the UFC the seven fights he owes on his current contract, but added he is in no rush to fight for the title, preferring to give teammate Ronaldo Souza the opportunity.

“He’s been working hard for that to happen, so I’m not pretending to fight for the belt,” Silva said. “I think I need to qualify myself for the belt again. Nothing more fair than to let ‘Jacare’ do it.”

The “Spider” appeared alongside his coaches, UFC Brazil head Grace Tourinho and his doctor and personal friend, Marcio Tannure, who also acts as the medical director of the UFC-backed Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission.

Tannure said Silva has been “above average” in recovering from the injury and said the fighter “surprised all of us” in the speed at which he was able to return to training.

Strength and conditioning coach Rogerio Camoes said Silva is “very motivated, and this motivation makes our training evolve every day. In each training, his leg is better. It’s responding very well. Certainly we’ll get back to our goal, which is to come back 100 percent.”

Boxing coach Luis Dorea added, “I think we will work to stimulate his natural abilities, to gain his confidence back in his movements.”

Diaz, no stranger to trash talking opponents, attempted to prod Silva by proclaiming his striking skills better than the former champ.

Dorea countered, “He made a mistake.”

“It’s part of promoting,” Dorea continued. “He’s got a good left hook, but Anderson’s level is above average. Nick Diaz is strong and comes forward, but Anderson with his natural ability is much better.”

Silva said he doesn’t like to trash talk opponents, but added, “If he disrespects me, things are going to happen that need to happen.”

A venue for UFC 183 has yet to be announced, but the pay-per-view event is expected to do big business for the UFC, which has seen several high-profile fights this year diminished by unexpected injuries.

Diaz has been inactive since he failed to win the welterweight belt from now-retired champ Georges St-Pierre in March 2013. The UFC signed him to a lucrative new contract and paired him with Silva to immediate acclaim from fans and MMA observers.

Silva did not rule out a rematch with Weidman and said he would fight the champ a third time if asked by the UFC. But for now, he said his goal is to come back with a passion and love for the sport he admits he lost in his previous two fights.

Silva cited “technical” and “personality” mistakes in the loss of his title and subsequent failure to regain it. He thanked his team and the UFC for helping him recover from such a horrible injury and hoped to deliver a victory for his fans.

“I lost a lot of things because of my personality, and I’m learning to deal with that,” he said.

For more on UFC 183, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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Prior to his confirmed return, Silva was a hot topic among fellow fighters. Check out their initial thoughts on his comeback:

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