Anderson Silva believes Nate Marquardt will be his successor as the UFC middleweight champion

Anderson Silva has never spoken too highly of the middleweight division’s top contenders and with good reason, he has to fight them all. But in his latest interview Anderson gave middleweight Nate Marquardt a biggest endorsement as his future succesor.

In a interview with Tatame.com.br that URDirt.com translated, Anderson says he believes Nate Marquardt will be his successor after he retires or leaves the division.

“I think the next champion of this category will be Nate Marquardt,” Anderson said, praising the American fighter who is coming off of a victory over Demian Maia. “If I’m not over with the belt, I believe Nate will be the next champion 84kg, the next guy to win for a long, long time this way.”

Silva also pointed out that Marquardt has improved a lot since losing to by TKO (Punches) him two years ago at UFC 73.

“I’ve been following all his fights and he has evolved a lot since the last time we fought. He has evolved a lot, it’s hard, has a good feature for a fighter, evolved a lot during the fight. I believe he is the next champion in that category, “he added Anderson, who is tipped to put the title match against Vitor Belfort in 2010.

Do you agree with Anderson Silva’s statement, or do you believe there is another middleweight who will carry the crown once the Spider retires or is defeated?