Initially, Silva was expected to face Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 212, but his opponent was flagged by USADA after failing a drug test for marijuana metabolites. Following the disappointing news, it was rumored that Luke Rockhold or Vitor Belfort would step in for the fight in June. However, Silva explained why he is not interested in fighting either of them at UFC 212.

I’m coming off a win (over Derek Brunson), right, after a long time without wins, so it doesn’t make sense to fight any of them because they are both coming off losses. It’s not something that will add anything for me. It doesn’t make sense.

I’m ready to fight whoever the UFC puts there. It doesn’t matter who that is, be someone who’s coming off wins and adds something to my legacy, otherwise it doesn’t make sense.

While Nick Diaz hasn’t been active lately and is coming off loses, Silva mentioned that he is definitely interest in a rematch with the Stockton badboy. Apparently, the offer is on the table with the UFC.

It’s something that was on the table ,too, it’s possible that it happens this fight with Nick.

I respect him, he’s an excellent fighter. It would be an interesting fight. It would be cool because this fight makes sense. The (first) fight was a no contest, so we’ll see. Anything can happen.

UFC 212 will be held on June 3, 2017 at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The main event features a featherweight title unification match between Jose Aldo and Max Holloway.

The UFC announced the news via Twitter yesterday, confirming a 185-pound bout between Gastelum and Silva, which will serve as the co-main for UFC 212. The main event will be a championship bout between UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and Max Holloway.

Ask and you shall receive! @KelvinGastelum gets wish, faces @SpiderAnderson at #UFC212 in  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! pic.twitter.com/jJcIaM5E6e

— UFC (@ufc) March 14, 2017

Gastelum, 25, was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 17. He picked up an impressive three fight win streak after a loss to Neil Magny in November 2015. Gastelum holds wins over Vitor Belfort, Tim Kennedy, Johny Hendricks, Nate Marquardt, and among many others. While his opponent Silva recently defeated Derek Brunson via a controversial decision win at UFC 208.

UFC 212 will be held on June 3, 2017 at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

However, the Brazilian doesn’t appear to think it was a robbery at all. In fact, Silva recently responded to his critics after the controversial win via a post on Facebook, calling himself “the best in the world” and the “joy of many and the sorrow of others.”

What do you think? Was Brunson robbed a victory that night at UFC 208? Let us know in the comment section below.

Silva’s full response also follows right below.

Anderson Silva’s Full Response

Nowadays it’s easy to say that the fight is my root, there is a lot of people who talk about fighting and do not know what it says. So when you go up in the octagon, first look who I am, respect who got where I came from. I arrived very well, without disrespecting anyone, with much struggle and pride in the chest.

I can only say that we will soon see ourselves in the octagons of life.

In addition, former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm trains and takes notes ahead of her featherweight title fight. Her opponent Germaine de Randamie is all smiles as she does media in her home country of Holland. Silva’s opponent Derek Brunson attends another type of high-stakes contest: his daughter’s beauty pageant.

UFC 208 Embedded is a series which documents the lives of all fighters scheduled to fight at UFC 208 on February 11th, 2017. Stay tuned to Yell! Magazine for much more Embedded videos to come.

During a UFC 208 media scrum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Silva said he would like test himself against UFC lightweight kingpin, Conor McGregor, who he find is an “interesting martial artist.”

I’d like to test myself against Conor because he’s an interesting martial artist. His stand-up game is an intelligent game. Not because he’s champion now, but for the martial arts challenge. I’d like to see how these stand-up techniques, his and mine, would mix, and how that would go. But not to fight for a belt or anything like that. For the challenge, an interest, that thing about knowing how a fight like this would go.

Silva currently competes at 185-pounds, however, the Brazilian believes he can still cut down to a weight where both fighters are comfortable.

I believe he can make 176, 178 pounds, right? That’s a weight I can get. We started this work and I got to 174, but we thought it would be better now to do these tests.

There was no fight booked, we made 174, and master (Rogerio) Camoes said ‘man, you don’t need this, you’re fine, so go back to your division.’ I know I can make 174 now, but my team and my doctor, Marcio Tannure, decided to stay in my division.

Before any superfight happens, “The Spider” will meet Derek Brunson at UFC 208 in Brooklyn, on February 11, 2017. Stay tuned to Yell! Magazine for much more updates to come.

Epic! Meaning Georges St-Pierre returning to face Anderson Silva. That’s the current rumor, according to UFC fighter Patrick Cote and Silva’s son Kalyl. But it appears like UFC President Dana White has other intentions for UFC 206, and that’s not one of them.

White shoots down the rumor entirely. Speaking with Dan Hardy for BT Sport after UFC 204, White reaffirmed that GSP has no plan to return to MMA.

That’s not true. So not true. I know everybody keeps talking about — GSP isn’t even close. I’m telling you again, I don’t think GSP wants to fight. I keep saying this. You guys know fighters as much as I know fighters, do you think GSP wants to fight? GSP wasn’t crazy about fighting when he was fighting! Now three years later he’s just dying to fight? He’s not. I don’t think he is.

White also added,

That fight is definitely not gonna happen. I don’t think GSP ever returns. And in some cases, that’s not a bad thing. The guy retired, he went out on top, he’s looked at as one of the greatest to ever do it and I just think he lost that fire a long time ago. For some reason – he’s got his own person reasons – he likes to keep his name out there like he might be coming back and everybody is anticipating his return, but at the end of the day I don’t think he wants it.

UFC 206 currently features a rematch between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson for the light heavyweight belt, but it’s still uncertain if they will be the headliner.

Stay tuned to Yell! Magazine for the more updates to come.

That’s right! Belfort asked for a rematch with Silva earlier today, however, Silva has all eyes on “The Count” and getting back the gold. On Instagram, Silva offered to face Bisping one more time in England.

Silva wrote,

I’m serious, I’ve never asked for a rematch with no adversary, but I do want to have an opportunity of a fight with Bisping, I deserve that for everything I have achieve into the organization saving last time fights’ events even in upper categories, fighting injured, broke a leg. I have proved why I am the best in world in this sport and I humbly say that none of my adversaries who supposedly defeated me have achieved or will my actions into the organization.

On June 4th, Bisping became the first-ever Brit to win a UFC title. He defeated Luke Rockhold via knockout early in the first round. Bisping also defeated Silva by a controversial unanimous decision win at UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping in February.

At the moment, the UFC is still deciding on who will get the first crack at Bisping, there’s just so many interesting options.

For the entire call out message from Silva, continue reading below.

Anderson Silva Call Out Michael Bisping

Well, I could give you million reasons to make the fight against Bisping happen, but the truth is that he is afraid. I’m not going to compare myself to others even mention someone else, but in my perspective I believe I have the right to a fight with him once again, because I have won London’s fight and a rematch was promised. However, as he was injured by me during the fight, he wouldn’t be prepared to fight too soon, then he was ready to replace someone, but not to face me in Brazil, right? You know I lived an unexpected situation having a surgery, but if it wasn’t happened I could fight in Brazil. So, I think it’s time to show that I’m serious, I’ve never asked for a rematch with no adversary, but I do want to have an opportunity of a fight with Bisping, I deserve that for everything I have achieve into the organization saving last time fights’ events even in upper categories, fighting injured, broke a leg. I have proved why I am the best in world in this sport and I humbly say that none of my adversaries who supposedly defeated me have achieved or will my actions into the organization. Undoubtedly, I believe this rematch will be the best step for UFC and Dana is aware of it, because numbers does tell and as we always have to stand by the group let it be from both sides. If I could help him to feel more confident and less afraid I would agree to fight him in his hometown, Manchester.

On Tuesday, the consultant revealed Silva is experiencing abdominal discomforts and he might be required to undergo surgery to remove his gall bladder.

Anderson developed abdominal discomfort [Monday and] further evaluation today is consistent with acute cholecystitis. He will be seen by a surgeon today for possible surgery.

Silva was expected to face The Ultimate Fighter 17 finalist Uriah Hall on the main card of UFC 198, but due to his clinical condition, the Brazilian was removed and since the event takes place in a few days a replacement was not found Hall. The UFC 198 card will now proceeded with 12 bouts.

UFC 198 is headlined by a heavyweight title fight between champion Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic. The co-main event features a middleweight contest between Ronaldo Souza and Vitor Belfort.

Cris Cyborg will also be making her UFC debuts.

For the main event, UFC middleweight contenders Anderson Silva and Michael Bisping have to make a limit of 185 pounds. The co-main event features another middleweight bout between Gegard Mousasi and Thales Leites, both of whom will also have to make a limit of 185 pounds.

Watch the weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night 84 right now on Yell! Magazine.

Main card (UFC Fight Pass at 4 p.m. ET)

Anderson Silva (186) vs. Michael Bisping (185)
Gegard Mousasi (185) vs. Thales Leites (186)
Tom Breese (171) vs. Keita Nakamura (170)
Francisco Rivera (136) vs. Brad Pickett (136)

Undercard (UFC Fight Pass at 12:45 p.m. ET)

Mike Wilkinson (145) vs. Makwan Amirkhani (145)
Davey Grant (136) vs. Marlon Vera (135)
Scott Askham (185) vs. Chris Dempsey (185)
Arnold Allen (145) vs. Yaotzin Meza (144)
Brad Scott (186) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (184)
Norman Parke (155) vs. Rustam Khabilov (155)
Daniel Omielanczuk (254) vs. Jarjis Danho (261)
Teemu Packalen (156) vs. Thibault Gouti (155)
David Teymur (155) vs. Martin Svensson (154)

Check it out!