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[TBEAR]

Souce UFC champ Anderson Silva back in gym, April or May return probable | MMAjunkie.com

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (25-4, 10-0 UFC) is back in the gym and feeling good, said manager Ed Soares.

In a conversation with MMAjunkie.com (mmajunkie.com) on Monday, Soares said that if "The Spider" faces Vitor Belfort (19-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC) – a former training partner at Black House Brazil who's likely to get the next title shot – Silva will keep his mouth shut and do his talking in the cage.

Silva, 34, underwent elbow surgery in September and suffered complications during his recovery that delayed an expected meeting with the former UFC light heavyweight champion at UFC 108.

But with pictures of Silva dancing around the Internet, it's clear he's readying himself for the matchup.

"I'd assume we'll probably see him in April or May," Soares said.

UFC 112 is tentatively slated for Abu Dhabi on April 10, with an expected headliner between five-time welterweight champion Matt Hughes and Renzo Gracie. Although not officially announced, UFC 113 is expected for May 1 in Montreal, Quebec, with Silva friend and light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida all but confirmed to rematch Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. UFC 114 is a distant plan for May 29 with no rumored match-ups.

If, however, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson returns to face Rashad Evans at UFC 113, it's hard not to rule out the April or late May date for Silva vs. Belfort.

"It doesn't matter," Soares countered. "Wherever they can place him to fight, he'll fight. He wants to get in there and fight again."

Despite his and Silva's personal feelings about the challenger's title worthiness, Soares maintains he's not trying to pick fights or throw a wrench in the UFC's plans.

"It is who they say it is," he said. "It's not a matter of signing off. I've never said it wasn't going to be a great fight. All I ever said was I didn't think he deserved to fight for a title. Some people agree with me; some people don't. It doesn't really make a difference. Anderson always has and always will fight whoever he puts in front of him.

"Sometimes people take my opinion or someone else's opinion that we won't fight him. I'm not saying we won't fight him. I'm jusy saying we don't think he doesn't deserve it. But that doesn't change the fact that it's going to be a phenomenal fight. Vitor's a dangerous guy, but Anderson is very dangerous too. I think Anderson has more tools, but I think Vitor poses a lot of threats. He's a super-tough guy."

Silva refused to speak about Belfort during an October interview in Los Angeles, and though Soares hadn't spoken to the champion recently, he didn't want to speak about the personal ramifications of the fight.

"There's nothing to say," Soares said. "Whatever he has to say, he'll say it in the octagon."

[James Deuce]

God do I hate Soares. Didn't say anything in the article, just wanted to express my feelings about him.

Anyway, glad to see Silva back soon, always excited to see a Silva fight.

[TBEAR]

Yeah Silva is a beast

[macewen]

good, hopefully he fights soon, if he fights in may, that month is starting to look like fucking fantastic

[hurt80]

RIP vitor

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

I've really lost interest in the UFC MW division now that Hendo's gone and Nate seems to be backburnered in favour of Vitor...

[GL Jeff]

I love Ed. Hes the best manager around. And Vitor isnt deserving of a title shot. Not even close. He didnt even win a fight at 185, what if he dosent make the cut? How fucked up that would be. I think Nate is making a better argument at the next title shot. Vitor should of taken another fight, at 185, against Okami, or Maia, someone of note. Instead hes relying on his win over Franklin. Seems pretty lame,and that the UFC promised him something,and I dont think it will pan out.

[moonrocker]

heard on sports radio this morning that it is official....belfort vs silva in abu dhabi ufc 112. i'll see if i can dig up some material to post

[willpunisher]

Originally Posted by GL Jeff

I love Ed. Hes the best manager around. And Vitor isnt deserving of a title shot. Not even close. He didnt even win a fight at 185, what if he dosent make the cut? How fucked up that would be. I think Nate is making a better argument at the next title shot. Vitor should of taken another fight, at 185, against Okami, or Maia, someone of note. Instead hes relying on his win over Franklin. Seems pretty lame,and that the UFC promised him something,and I dont think it will pan out.

u forgetting that he destroyed terry martin and lindland at 185? plus he is training with randy.. all those guys at xtreme couture make weight.

[Mr.Gummy]

The first thing that popped into my mind when I read the thread title: Dana is gonna use Anderson as counterprogramming for the next Fedor on CBS card