Anderson Silva has surgery, months before he can walk again

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I’m still having a hard time processing what we saw last night at UFC 168. On one hand, hats off to a game Chris Weidman, but I don’t really think checking a kick with a knee on purpose, and calling it “The Destructor” or something like a pro wrestling move. He ended a man’s career more than likely last night. He did it on purpose. Yes, it’s fighting, but this is in the same wheelhouse as holding onto a submission too long or punching someone constantly when they are already clearly finished.

But what can you do?

Now we move on to a post-Anderson and post-GSP era. One where nothing is really the same, and all the mystique is gone. We will still follow Anderson’s injury with great interest, however.

Bloody Elbow reached out to surgeon Dr. Mora to see what Anderson’s recovery timetable would be like.

“How long is it going to take to heal? The injury could take 3-6 months to heal, and then to be recovered enough to get back to fighting, it could take a year, not because of age, but because of the nature of the fracture. They tend to be stubborn to heal in everybody. I think there’s a very good chance that he heals and recovers sufficiently to get back to his fighting career. That’s obviously if he wants to. He’ll have to get over some hurdles, but it’s quite possible that he can.”

The UFC then released this statement:

“Following Saturday evening’s UFC 168 main event, former champion Anderson Silva was taken to a local Las Vegas hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a broken left leg. The successful surgery, performed by Dr. Steven Sanders, the UFC’s orthopedic surgeon, inserted an intramedullary rod into Anderson’s left tibia. The broken fibula was stabilized and does not require a separate surgery. Anderson will remain in the hospital for a short while, but no additional surgery is scheduled at this time. Recovery time for such injuries may vary between three and six months.

“Anderson is deeply touched by the outpouring of support from his fans and the entire MMA community. There has been no immediate decision about his future, and he would kindly ask for privacy at this time as he deals with his injury and prepares to return home to recover.”