UFC: The 'Spider' Anderson Silva calls out Nick Diaz

Bengaluru, August 2: Anderson Silva was threatening to retire a couple of months ago, but it appears the former UFC middleweight champion has not yet decided to call it a day.

Silva took to his Instagram account to call for a rematch with Nick Diaz. That's totally different to what he said earlier in the year when his expected participation on the UFC 212 fight card in June fell apart.

The 'Spider' had been scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 212 in Rio. However, Gastelum was pulled from the fight after he tested positive to marijuana in relation to his fight with Vitor Belfort in March and was suspended by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA).

Silva demanded a fight with Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight championship following Gastelum's removal from UFC 212. Silva had just come off of a decision win over Derek Brunson, while Romero was the top contender for Michael Bisping's title.

UFC president Dana White refused Silva's plea, leaving the former champ feeling disdained. He later did an interview on 'The MMA Hour', allegedly making a final demand.

"I save all time the UFC," he explained.

"I'm far too old and I'm done, bro. I'm sorry. I know I need to respect my fans; I respect my fans. I'm sorry guys. I love my sport. I love fight. Fight is my life. But it's too much bull****."

"This fight, me and Yoel Romero, no happen. I'm done."

Silva looks to have changed his thinking, as he called out Diaz to a fight, who hasn't set foot in the Octagon since he fought Silva at UFC 183 two-and-a-half years ago.

Silva had initially won the fight via decision, but the result was changed to a no contest after both fighters failed their respective drug tests.

"I believe this was one of the best fights in the history of this sport. With all my respect Nick. Let's show how it's done," wrote Silva on his social media account.

"I will wait your reply, maximum respect to the Diaz family."

Highlights from Nick Diaz Vs Anderson Silva's last encounter can be seen in the below video:

(Sourced: MMAFighting)

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