Silva (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Following Anderson Silva’s horrific injury at last night’s UFC 168 card in Las Vegas, the promotion is reporting that the legendary fighter underwent successful surgery to repair his broken leg.

The 38 year-old fighter badly broke his left leg after throwing a kick at Chris Weidman in round two, and the bout was immediately brought to a halt.

Here is the statement that the promotion has released:

“Following Saturday evening’s UFC 168 main event, former champion Anderson Silva was taken to a local Las Vegas hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a broken left leg. The successful surgery, performed by Dr. Steven Sanders, the UFC’s orthopedic surgeon, inserted an intramedullary rod into Anderson’s left tibia. The broken fibula was stabilized and does not require a separate surgery. Anderson will remain in the hospital for a short while, but no additional surgery is scheduled at this time. Recovery time for such injuries may vary between three and six months.

“Anderson is deeply touched by the outpouring of support from his fans and the entire MMA community. There has been no immediate decision about his future, and he would kindly ask for privacy at this time as he deals with his injury and prepares to return home to recover.”

The defeat was Silva’s second to the middleweight champion Weidman, who knocked out the decorated fighter at UFC 162 in July.