Anderson Silva left with broken leg at UFC 168

This Saturday's fight may have been the last time world witnessed 38-year-old legend Brazilian mixed martial artist Anderson Silva fighting in the arena.

On July 6 2013 Chris Weidman knocked out Anderson Silva to end Silva’s seven-year middleweight title reign at UFC 162. This was a rematch at UFC 168 but Anderson was unable to regain the title when his leg broke severely, after Weidman checked one of his leg kicks in the second round.

1 minute 16 seconds into the second round, Chris Weidman checked a left leg kick by Anderson Silva with his right knee. Silva immediately fell to the ground in pain. Referee Herb Dean soon ended to the fight. Silva's shinbone snapping from the force of the collision can be seen in replay videos.

“He literally went from here straight to surgery,” said UFC president Dana White during the UFC 168 post-fight press conference.

Source : Anderson Silva Heads from Arena to Hospital for Immediate Surgery on Broken Leg

Silva, the Brazilian icon of the MMA, holds the longest title defense streak in UFC history, which ended in July 2013 with 16 consecutive wins and 10 title defenses. This was the first time Silva has lost consecutive fights. Silva is widely regarded as the greatest fighter in UFC history.

According to USA Today, Silva is recovering from the broken leg:

Anderson Silva remained in a Las Vegas hospital Sunday morning following successful surgery to repair a broken leg he suffered trying to regain the UFC's middleweight title. Following Silva's surgery, the UFC issued a statement that said UFC orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Sanders had repaired Silva's broken left tibia as well as stabilized his broken left fibula. The UFC estimated his recovery time to be as long as six months.
Source : Anderson Silva recovering after surgery on broken leg

Anderson Silva headed from Arena to an immediate surgery on broken leg.

Here is from UFC statement:

"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."

This isn't 100 percent the end of Anderson Silva's fighting career -- but it should be, writes Brett Okamoto.