White: “That Guy Won’t Talk To Me To This Day”

White explained that tension between the two escalated when he tried convincing Silva to retire during his 40s after a string of losses. “Anderson Silva… won’t talk to me to this day,” White said. “His thing was, ‘Who are you to tell me that I’m done doing what I love to do?’”

While White exaggerated Silva’s losing streak during the interview, Silva did struggle late in his UFC run, losing seven of his final eight fights before leaving the promotion in 2020.

One of the biggest flashpoints came after Silva’s loss to Uriah Hall, when White publicly declared Silva retired before Silva himself had made any such announcement. Silva wanted to continue competing. The UFC did not.

Silva Helped Build The UFC Into A Global Power

Despite the strained relationship today, Silva remains one of the most important fighters in UFC history.

Anderson Silva:

• Held the UFC middleweight title for nearly seven years
• Produced one of the greatest championship reigns in MMA history
• Became one of the UFC’s first true global superstars
• Helped elevate the company during its explosive growth years

Many fans still consider Silva the greatest middleweight fighter ever.

Silva Finally Pursued Boxing After UFC Exit

According to White, part of the conflict stemmed from Silva wanting opportunities outside the UFC especially boxing. After eventually being released from the promotion despite having one fight remaining on his contract, Silva transitioned into professional boxing, something he reportedly wanted for years.

Since leaving the UFC:

• Silva has gone 4-1 in boxing
• Defeated former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr.
• Lost only to Jake Paul by decision in 2022

The situation became even more awkward when Silva skipped his own UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2023, something many interpreted as another sign of the fractured relationship.

Dana White Says Retirement Is Always Difficult

White admitted Silva’s situation is common among aging stars. “Imagine walking out at Madison Square Garden with 22,000 people going crazy,” White said. “You never know it’s over until you get in there and can’t pull the trigger the way you used to.”

The UFC president said many fighters struggle to walk away because of:

• Fame
• Adrenaline
• Paychecks
• Identity tied to fighting

And in Silva’s case, those disagreements appear to have permanently damaged one of the UFC’s most important relationships.