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TORONTO -- His family isnt too happy about it but former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva says he cant wait to return to the cage after a lengthy layoff from a gruesome leg injury. The 39-year-old Brazilian is due to make his comeback Jan. 31 against Nick Diaz at UFC 183 in Las Vegas. Silva (33-6) has not fought since breaking his leg last December in a fight against middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC 168. The Brazilian star collapsed in the cage after his leg essentially shattered when Weidman checked his kick. "Im just dying to return to the Octagon and do the thing that I most love in my life," Silva said Friday through an interpreter on a media conference call. His family doesnt share that view, however. "To tell you the truth, theyre not too happy but they respect my wish and now theyre coping with it," he added. Asked about their objections, Silva replied: "I dont think anybodys family would like to see their family going to war and with mine it wouldnt be different." Silva had surgery the night of the Weidman fight to stabilize his broken left leg, with a 40-centimetre-long rod inserted into the tibia below the knee. His fibula was also broken in what he called "a mere accident." Silva says the injured leg is at 95 per cent and improving, promising it will be 100 per cent when he makes his comeback against Diaz. The rod may came out at a later date. He said he never contemplated retirement in the aftermath of the injury. And he said there was no hesitation when it came to delivering his first kick back in the gym. Silva said there are no limitations on his leg although he is not kicking as hard as he usually does. "Hes going to wait to kick hard at the day of the fight," said the interpreter. The 30-year-old Diaz (27-9-1) last fought in March 2013 when he lost a decision to then-welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Silva said he expects the fight with Diaz to be one of the best standup battles of the year. "Nick Diaz is a guy that walks forward. Hes got great boxing skills and hes going to come to fight. So the fans can expect a great fight." Asked whether he had sights set on regaining his 185-point title, Silva said his first priority was to see how he performs against Diaz. "Right now its not my priority but its not out of the question to fight for the title," said the Brazilian, who has seven fights left on his contract. Silva lost his title to Weidman at UFC 162 in July 2013. The second-round knockout ended a 17-fight winning streak that included 10 successful title defences. Silva was complimentary towards Weidman, calling him "a great champion." "Very talented. The guys for real," he said. In a conference call earlier this week, Diaz said he did not enjoy fighting and was a non-violent person. Its just something he had to do. Silva saw things a little differently, saying NASCAR drivers dont go out and burn rubber when they arent competing. "Its just a sport," he said of mixed martial arts. "Its a violent sport but it is what it is." Alex Smith Redskins Jersey . The Philadelphia left fielder clubbed a tiebreaking, solo home run in the seventh inning, and the Phillies edged the Red Sox, 2-1, in the middle test of a three-game interleague series at Citizens Bank Park. Jonathan Allen Jersey . American Lindsey Jacobellis was third, while Japans Yuka Fujimori finished just off the podium. Maltais, from Petite-Riviere-St-Francois, Que., earned bronze at the 2006 Olympic Games and is set to return to the Games this February in Sochi, Russia. http://www.authenticredskinsfootballonline.com/ . - While he appreciates suggestions from Packers fans of remedies for his sore left calf, Aaron Rodgers is not necessarily going to listen to the advice. Alex Smith Jersey . Radulov scored the lone goal in the shootout, and the Predators edged the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Tuesday night to reach 100 points for the second time in three seasons and fourth in seven. Troy Apke Redskins Jersey . - Suspended Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon has voluntarily checked into a treatment facility and seems to be doing well.TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on Phil Jackson in New York, Ray McCallums impressive play with the Kings, the reliable veteran in Memphis Mike Miller, Andrew Bynums debut with the Pacers and Anthony Bennetts injury. 1. PHIL JACKSON: Would be a major coup of the NY Knicks to get him as their President. Bottom line, owner James Dolan needs to stay out of the way. Jackson must have the ability to select his GM, front office staff, coaches, support staff and have final say on all player issues. If he wants to move current employees out, then he has carte blanche to do that as well. Anything less will be more of the same dysfunction. He needs to be the boss and the one who sets the tone with the folks he wants in place. 2. RAY MCCALLUM (Kings): Have been impressed with him in the last few games Ive seen him. Great energy and feel for the game. Played for his dad at the University of Detroit and you can tell hes grown up around the game. Getting a chance to get some second unit minutes right now and hes been respectable. 3. MIKE MILLER (Grizzlies): Even though hes five points off his career average (down from 12 to 7 ppg) he is still a reliable veteran who really makes the defense defend him behind the arc, thhus opening up more space for his teammates to operate.dddddddddddd When you shoot the ball from distance at 45 per cent and youre a good passer youll have a role and be counted on considerably. When you think back not too long ago there were major concerns due to his back issues about whether hed have to retire before this year. Hes beating the odds and even though hes not quite the same player - hes still a solid one. 4. ANDREW BYNUM (Pacers): Makes his debut with his new team and has a nice night with 8 and 10. If youre a Pacers fan you ask, Where can I sign up for that every night? At his stage, he was brought in to make sure Miami didnt get him and to provide the force in the lane. Those numbers would be more than adequate at this point in the season and where hes at with his game. 5. ANTHONY BENNETT (Cavs): Out three weeks with a knee injury. When it rains, it pours. Please give me rain!! Sure beats all the snow were getting!! Was starting to come around a bit and now this. His conditioning was a major issue for him and within three weeks on the shelf this is a setback in that area. Hopefully, he learns from his last rehab stint and approached his health/fitness routine in a more focused fashion. 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