Conor McGregor urges Anderson Silva to keep fighting: 'The right competition is out there'

Conor McGregor is not supportive of an Anderson Silva retirement after UFC on ESPN+ 39.

Despite it being touted as his career swan song, Silva (34-11 MMA, 17-7 UFC) was reluctant to commit to hanging up his gloves following Saturday’s fourth-round TKO loss to Uriah Hall at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. UFC president Dana White said it was absolutely the end for “The Spider” inside the octagon, and vowed to never let him fight under the UFC banner again.

Whether that means Silva will officially call it quits, or attempt to get out of his contract and fight elsewhere, remains to be seen. McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who has long teased his willingness to have a fight with Silva, however unrealistic, said the Brazilian shouldn’t hang up his gloves.

McGregor said if Silva’s heart continues to desire competition, then there’s somewhere out there that can be a good fit.(via Twitter):

Sad to see tonight, but I say keep going! Real fighters never lose that fire so why try to force it out? Simply put time into finding the correct competition and continue on. The right competition is out there, for all levels and ages. Find it and do what you love to do! Forever! https://t.co/qFvPtCQuVE

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 1, 2020

Sad to see tonight, but I say keep going! Real fighters never lose that fire so why try to force it out? Simply put time into finding the correct competition and continue on. The right competition is out there, for all levels and ages. Find it and do what you love to do! Forever!

Silva has earned just one victory in his past nine fights. At 45, he is among the oldest fighters to compete in UFC history. White insisted post-fight he regretted allowing Silva to fight against Hall, and said he hopes Silva’s family with persuade him to permanently retire.