Silva doesn't regret leaving UFC after loss: 'It's part of the game'

Anderson Silva is moving onto a new chapter in his illustrious combat sports career.

The former UFC middleweight champion, who's regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, is scheduled to meet Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a 10-round boxing match on June 19 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The bout will stream on Fite TV pay-per-view.

Silva has wanted to cross over to boxing for years, and he's finally getting the opportunity to do so with his 14-year UFC career coming to an end in November.

Ahead of the event, theScore spoke with Silva about facing Chavez, his departure from the UFC, the Georges St-Pierre superfight that never happened, what advice he'd give Chris Weidman after his recent leg injury, and much more.

(Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.)

theScore: How has camp been going? How well do you think you've adjusted to boxing training after so many years in MMA?

Silva: The training is good. The team is so amazing. My coach. I'm so happy. I try to enjoy the moment. It's so amazing.

theScore: You've talked about doing a boxing match for a number of years. How excited are you to finally get this opportunity?

Silva: I'm very excited. And happy, too. I practiced boxing for many, many years. I fought professionally here in Brazil. Of course, it's not the same level. But boxing is a very traditional sport, and I love this sport.

theScore: Why have you wanted to cross over to boxing all these years?

Silva: I can try the different disciplines. Maybe my next fight, I'll go fight in a jiu-jitsu tournament, with the gi or no-gi. I don't know. Now, I'm trying to enjoy the moment and do something that makes me happy.

theScore: Do you know how many more times you want to compete before retiring from all combat sports?

Silva: No, I don't have the number. I'm very excited for doing this fight and seeing how this happens. Let's go see the future, because everything is possible. I love fighting. This is my career, and I like to challenge myself.

theScore: What are your expectations for this fight with Julio?

Silva: Wow. This fight is very interesting and a huge challenge for me, of course. But I believe I will put on an amazing show for everybody.

theScore: Are you at peace with the way things ended with the UFC and with the final chapter of your MMA career?

Silva: Listen, I don't have nothing bad to talk about the UFC. I'm in a different time of my life right now. The UFC is a part of my past. Everything I did inside the UFC, I did my best. I tried to put my heart inside the company. And that's it.

theScore: Does any part of you wish you walked away after a win?

Silva: No, definitely not. A fight is a fight. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. It's part of the game.

theScore: You recently said you likely won't fight in MMA again. Why was this the right time to hang up your MMA gloves?

Silva: Now I'm just trying to enjoy my moment and doing something that makes me happy and something fun, something that I can learn more from.

theScore: So, is it fair to say you weren't satisfied during your last few fights in the UFC?

Silva: The UFC is very special for me. I respect everybody inside the UFC. But this part of my life is done. I can't talk about the UFC, because it's done. This is something I've just put in my past. I worked hard and did the best I can in the UFC. Now I'm trying to continue to stay happy, and I'm doing something that I believe will keep me completely happy. I'm trying to enjoy my life and my moment. The UFC is part of my past.

theScore: Having suffered a very similar injury in 2013, what advice would you give Chris Weidman after he broke his leg in a fight last month?

Silva: It's tough. The situation with Chris happened to me, too, and it's very tough. I believe Chris will go back very soon. When I passed the message to Chris, it's only for him to stay focused, take your time. I know Chris will go back and fight very soon.

theScore: Kamaru Usman is two wins from tying your record for the longest winning streak in UFC history. How do you feel about that?

Silva: Wow. The UFC has new talent, new guys. Kamaru Usman is amazing. He's a good fighter. I think Kamaru has a great future inside the UFC.

Everybody can break records. I never think about that in my life, "Oh, I have a record for this, a record for that." The only concern is I go to fight, stay happy, do something where I feel happy, do something special for my fans, and enjoy the moment.

theScore: A bout between you and Georges St-Pierre is the superfight that everyone wanted, but it never happened. Do you still wish you fought St-Pierre?

Silva: No, I don't think about that. I'm OK (that it didn't happen). Georges is amazing, he's my friend.

I think (UFC president) Dana (White) needs to give the chance for Georges to fight in boxing with Oscar De La Hoya. Georges worked hard inside the UFC and did something special for everybody inside the UFC. Now what I think is Dana can't hold (him) and (should) give the chance for the guy to fight, because that's life.

theScore: Your former opponent, Vitor Belfort, recently said he wouldn't mind trying his hand at boxing. What do you make of that?

Silva: Vitor is an amazing fighter. The fight with me and Vitor is so special for the fans. I respect Vitor. I believe Vitor has a great future in everything he's doing right now.

theScore: Does a rematch with Belfort - in boxing - interest you?

Silva: I don't think about a rematch with Vitor. Right now, my focus is only for this fight (against Chavez), and then let's go see the future.

theScore: Who do you consider the greatest MMA fighter of all time?

Silva: Of course, a lot of people will have a different opinion and a different vision for fighters. For me, I think Jon Jones is the best. Everybody has the sport inside the sport - me, Georges St-Pierre, the older guys, Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, BJ Penn. Everybody has special moments inside the UFC, and I respect all of them.

theScore: Well, this fight against Chavez is coming up on June 19. How do you think it plays out?

Silva: That's a good question. I don't know how far this fight is going, but I'm preparing my mind and my body to make a good show for everybody in Mexico.