USA Today

While many, including myself, were calling upon former UFC middleweight champion and likely greatest mixed martial artist of all time Anderson Silva to retire following UFC 168, apparently "The Spider" is looking for one more go in the Octagon.

Generally correct tabloid TMZ reached out to Silva's manager Jorge Guimaraes, who minced no words in discussing the Brazilian's future in the sport.

"Trust me, he will be back," said Guimaraes. "He had his second X-ray [Thursday] and everything looks great. It was a clean break so the nerves are okay. He’s already started physical therapy and he’s moving his toes."

This news, if true, comes as something of a surprise.

Silva, for those who somehow don't remember, badly broke his leg against current middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC 168. While throwing leg kicks, Silva went shin-to-knee, which resulted in him snapping his tibia and fibula and left him writhing in agony on the mat. It was an ugly scene that even jaded MMA fans and media were uncomfortable seeing.

In addition to that, he also dropped numerous hints before the fight that he was considering retirement afterward, regardless of the outcome. For him to return at all would have been somewhat surprising, never mind him returning after such a horrific injury.

Even the most bullish Silva fans, however, need to dial back expectations. Recuperating from the injury and the resulting surgery can require up to a year. That doesn't even address the fact that he will likely need to go back under the knife again in 2014, per Dr. Steve Mora's breakdown with Bloody Elbow.

Either way, Silva is reportedly in good spirits. Regardless of whether he chooses to get back into fighting, here's to hoping that he has a speedy recovery.