Anderson Silva (left) (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Anderson Silva has expressed an interest in fighting Georges St-Pierre in the past, but it looks like the legendary fighter’s closed the book on the fight ever happening.

Following the news that the UFC is planning to have Silva fight Israel Adesanya on February 9th, the former middleweight champ spoke with ESPN. While discussing what might come after the bout with Adesanya, the 43-year-old was asked about the possibility of facing GSP. Silva, however, had this to say:

“That’s an interesting fight, but Georges has never come to accept the challenge,” Silva said. “Georges just runs, runs, runs, It’s crazy. I do not think Georges wants the fight — but that’s OK. I respect Georges. He is a great fighter. Maybe he just has a different view — to take easy fights. That’s not me. I like to take the big challenges in my life.

“Georges is very lucky and very smart. He never goes to take a fight if it’s not easy. That’s the point. Georges, for me, is a great fighter, but he never takes the real challenges in life. That’s my opinion. I respect him, but that’s my opinion.”

Silva hasn’t competed now since February, 2017, when he earned a tightly contested decision over Derek Brunson. St-Pierre, meanwhile, returned to the cage last November, after a four-year lay-off, a submitted Michael Bisping to win the 185 title.