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Wanderlei Silva cools retirement talk

ESPN staff
February 28, 2013
Wanderlei Silva will be the star attraction this weekend © Getty Images
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Wanderlei Silva is vowing to knock out Brian Stann, but the promised win will not signal his retirement from UFC.

Silva's clash at light-heavyweight is the main event on the UFC on Fuel card at Saitama Super Arena in Japan this weekend.

The contenders took part in open workouts at the Hilton Sjinjuku Hotel and questions were put to Silva about his long-term future in the Octagon. At 36, Silva is in the later stages of his career but he feels he has plenty to offer in the sport.

"I promise I'll knock him out in the third round," Silva said when asked for his views on the fight with Stann.

And when asked about whether retirement was on the cards, Silva's answer was forthright. "Not yet," he said.

This will be Silva's first fight at 205lb since his loss to Rampage Jackson in 2008. He has fought at middleweight and catchweight, but the move to light-heavy could be permanent as it means he no longer has to cut weight.

Silva is a hugely popular figure in Japan and Stann is aware he will be the underdog at the weekend.

For me to come into this fight, obviously I'm not going to be the more popular fighter, but Wanderlei's earned that," Stann continued. "He deserves that right, and I'm so happy that he gets the opportunity to return to Japan, where he had some of his greatest accomplishments, and I'm glad that I get to be his opponent."

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