“Anderson is a great friend of mine and a big champion but I’m looking for this [fight to happen],” Belfort told OUL Esporte of Brazil. “I cannot comment much on this right now but yeah, I always want to fight the best fighters. Of course it won’t be a pleasure [being Silva’s friend] but there isn’t another way at all in the sport. Kaka and Ronaldinho (Brazilian soccer players) are friends and have faced each other many times. It is part of my work and I need it to afford milk to the children at home.”

Belfort hasn’t set foot inside an Octagon since he dropped a split decision to Tito Ortiz at UFC 51 back in February of 2005, however that didn’t stop UFC president Dana White from wanting to bring back one of the most talented fighters they have employed.

Silva is fresh off his dominating 3:23 second knockout of former champ Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 in a light heavyweight bout. After that performance, there aren’t many jumping at the chance to take on MMA’s most efficient striker, however Belfort says that he is down.

“It would be a great honor to fight Anderson,” Belfort respectfully stated. “He’s one of the best to ever fight and I want to test my skills against the world’s best.”