After rumors of Anderson Silva retiring in the near future, fans and the UFC management might be worried for the future of the middleweight division. But Silva attempts to assuage those fears with some comments to Tatame.

"My family wants very much I retire as soon as possible," Silva said. "But I do not know if I would be happy with myself if I retired now."

The dominant middleweight champion had stated that he was thinking of retiring from mixed martial arts after his contract with the UFC is completed.

Late last year, Ed Soares, Silva's manager, wrote on an MMA forum that Silva wanted to retire when he is 35-years old. Silva, who is currently 34, will celebrate his 35th birthday on April 14, 2010.

However, Soares also stated that Silva will finish his UFC contract "before he considers hanging up his gloves." The ‘Spider' still has three fights left on his contract, one of which will be fulfilled at UFC 108 against Vitor Belfort on Jan. 2, 2010, where Silva will look to defend his title. After his fight against Belfort, he will have two fights remaining on his contract.

Silva (25-4 MMA) has won his last 11 straight fights, 10 of which took place in the Octagon. In that UFC winning streak, he has defeated Chris Leben, Rich Franklin (x2), Travis Lutter, Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson, James Irvin, Patrick Cote, Thales Leites and Forrest Griffin. His last loss occurred in Jan. 2006.