Anderson Silva explains why he wants to fight Conor McGregor

During today’s UFC 198 press conference, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was asked to comment on his recent request to fight current UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor at a catchweight.

“The Spider” was quick to point out that he did not challenge McGregor because of the huge “payday” that would come along with the fight, but that he is simply interested in challenging his skills against the brash Irishman:

“I’ve never fought thinking of money. I really want to test myself against him,” Silva said of McGregor. “I think he’s a great athlete. I think he’s got great skills. Even though I’ve got my focus on my next opponent (Uriah Hall), I’d like to test myself against him (Conor). I’ve never fought in the weight classes below, only when I was much younger in Shooto. 73 kilos if I’m not mistaken. But for me to test myself, it would be an interesting fight.”

Silva will meet Uriah Hall on the main card of May’s UFC 198 pay-per-view event, which just so happens to take place in Anderson’s hometown of Curitiba, Brazil.

Would you like to see a catchweight fight between Conor McGregor and Anderson Silva eventually put together by UFC officials? Sound off PENN Nation!