Anderson Silva is an icon of MMA and should be given more respect. That is crazy to say considering everything he has already achieved. However, his late-career has soured the taste in everyone’s mouth.

Chael Sonnen is particularly disturbed by the lack of respect given to Anderson, especially with how MMA promotions treated his retirement.

“That was a scummy move by a lot of the promotions. First off, they weren’t asked that question, so they took a shot at a guy they would have loved to have appeared in a period of time, who didn’t want to come there. He made his decision and hung his hat someplace else. Now they are looking to get some cheap heat by acting like they are above Anderson Silva and refusing a fight for a guy who hasn’t even offered his services.”

Chael added, “It was a little bit of a slimy move, not to mention cold-hearted. To say you don’t want him, that’s just a mean thing to do. So no, I don’t think we will see him fight again because those promotions are telling the truth. There’s just a much better way to go about it than the way they went about it.”

Anderson Silva: The sad swansong of a legend?

Anderson Silva has done a lot of damage to his legacy. This was by taking fights well past his prime and losing them. However, should we disregard the desire to stay in the sport and compete against high-level opponents? It is definitely easier to quit when your prime is done, but Silva continued out of passion for the sport.

The way promoters have openly said no to Silva is puzzling. Silva going out of his way to get a promotion to continue letting him fight is also odd.

The reason the UFC pulls the plugs on careers is concern about damage. Silva has taken enough knocks for a career, which is probably why the other promotions also passed on hosting his final few fights.

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Silva does deserve more respect, but this entire situation could have been handled better by both Anderson and the promoters who openly tarnished his name.