Anderson Silva hopes Adesanya wins UFC middleweight title

Anderson Silva hopes Israel Adesanya would become UFC middleweight champion after UFC 234.

Silva (34-9 MMA, 17-5 UFC) returned to the octagon from a two-year layoff on Saturday and lost via unanimous decision to Adesanya (16-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the 185-pound bout headliner, which took place at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

“Israel is very fast, he’s young and he has a great future inside the UFC,” Silva told reporters, including MMAjunkie, post-fight at UFC 234. “I talk to Israel about some things, ‘Please, keep straight and don’t lose your focus, because you have amazing talent. Just keep doing.’ Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But I’m very impressed because it was two generations inside the cage. It was a great show for everyone. I’m so happy.”

“I’m very impressed because Israel gave me a good challenge inside the cage,” Silva said. “For a long time I don’t feel the same challenge in my life. I’m very impressed. I respect Israel. He’s a great guy and has a future in this sport and hopefully he comes to fight for the belt and win.”