Quote: Title Shot Could Be On The Cards For Anderson Silva vs Nick Diaz Winner

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will make his long-anticipated return from injury in 2015, as he faces off against fellow MMA absentee Nick Diaz at UFC 183. “The Spider” has been sat out after a pretty horrendous 2013, which saw him knocked out cold by Chris Weidman at UFC 162, and badly injured in his rematch at UFC 168.

Silva lost his title and then broke his leg in December, but Diaz’s reasons for not fighting were much different. Indeed, the Stockton bad boy has been sat due to contract disputes, but the fight with “The Spider” was aways going to be enough to coax him back to competition. Speaking with MMAJunkie.com, UFC president Dana White discussed the potential title implications of Silva vs Diaz in January:

“Anderson, I can’t wait until he comes back. He’s one of my favorite fighters. And you know Nick Diaz. He’s exciting, and that’s the fight Nick wanted. That’s the fight the fans wanted to see. So we did it. Anderson’s ranked No. 1 in the world right now at 185,” White said “So obviously, Diaz, who is a 170-pounder, if he beats Anderson, it would be a pretty big statement for him. We’ll see what the (title) landscape looks like when that fight happens.”

Dependant on the outcome of the fight, it would surely be a no-brainer that either man would earn a shot at gold with the win. That being said, the former middleweight boss has stated many times that he doesn’t want to make another title run. Perhaps he will change his mind after tasting action again.

There is no doubt in my mind that Diaz would want a shot at the title with a win in January, and maybe if Vitor Belfort beats Chris Weidman at UFC 181, “The Spider” would be interested in a rematch with “The Phenom”. Silva earned a spectacular front kick KO over Belfort when they fought at UFC 126, but who knows what the title scene will be when Silva and Diaz meet.

A win for either fighter would be huge at this stage in their illustrious careers, but for Silva a loss may signal the end of his path as a fighter. I feel like if Diaz loses, it would be to the former king of the UFC, but for Silva it would be to a lighter, and far less relevant talent than himself. Who do you think will win at UFC 183?

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