Former EliteXC champion and UFC heavyweight belt contender Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva commented on his decision to end his MMA career.
I've fought the best, I've beaten the best, and I've also lost to the best. People say I'm broke and need the money, but money was never the main reason I fought for so long. I still have the same head I had when I was 35, but my body isn't 35 anymore. Everybody has a limit. It's hard for any professional athlete to tell himself he's had enoughand it's time to stop. My health has always been excellent every time I've agreed to a fight. I will continue to do martial arts, but this time as a grappling and jiu-jitsu coach.
Antonio Silva
"Many years ago I had a tumor, I had two surgeries, and every time I was knocked out or knocked down, I had a checkup to make sure everything was okay, because I'm a husband and a father. I take this sport in a professional way, I have a wife and kids and people to take care of, people I love and who love me," Silva said in an interview with YouTube channel "Canal Encarada."
Silva, 43, currently has a streak of seven straight losses. "Bigfoot" lost his last fight in June 2022 at the MMA Series 53 tournament, by knockout in the second round to Oleg Popov. Last June, at Megdan Fighting 9, Silva lost to Quentin Domingos by TKO in the second round.
Silva made his professional ring debut in March, 2005, against Tengiz Tedoradze at UKMMAC 10 - Slugfest tournament. Antonio won that fight via TKO in the first round. Silva has 19 wins and 14 losses under his belt.