• UFC 148

Anderson Silva: I won't retire, and Sonnen is screwed

ESPN staff
July 3, 2012
The UFC 148 face-off

Anderson Silva has vowed not to retire if he loses to Chael Sonnen this weekend, but he warned the American at Tuesday's press conference that he is "screwed".

Silva stayed composed and kept his answers short as he and Sonnen traded verbal barbs ahead of Saturday's UFC 148 main event. The middleweight belt is on the line, but it barely seems important.

While Sonnen opted for trademark lyrical pieces of humour and, at times, clearly rehearsed quotes, Silva appeared genuine. However, when asked if Sonnen could beat him on his feet - having been rocked in their first fight - the champion burst out laughing.

"For him to strike with me standing up, he'd have to be a magician. It's impossible," Silva laughed.

"Play time is over. Saturday, a lot of things are going to change. It's going to be very different after Saturday. I have nothing else to say, other than he's screwed.

"The comments he made about my life, my country, it was disrespectful to not only me but the UFC. He shouldn't be talking that way.

"He tested positive for steroids, he offended a nation, he committed a crime. The guy's ridiculous. I beat up a guy for five rounds in Abu Dhabi [Demian Maia], and that guy submitted Sonnen in seconds."

Asked directly if defeat would spell retirement, Silva simply answered: "No."

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