Conor McGregor 'accepts' UFC super fight against Anderson Silva

Irish star takes to Twitter to after Brazilian threw down challenge

File photo dated 25-08-2017 of Conor McGregor. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday December 12, 2019. Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor announced his retirement from the sport. See PA story SPORT Christmas March. Photo credit should read PA Wire/PA Wire.Show less

Conor McGregor appears to have agreed to face legend Anderson Silva in a fight that will set UFC buzzing.

Silva, the former middleweight champion, is regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and challenged McGregor earlier this week.

The Irishman took to Twitter with his response, simply stating 'I accept'.

The 45-year-old Brazilian Silva made his last appearance in the octagon against Jared Cannonier just over year ago, and has won only one of his last seven fights.

McGregor, the first UFC fighter to hold two belts at the same time, has spent the past few weeks calling out a number of lightweight rivals, including champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim belt-holder Justin Gaethje.

However Silva suggested he and McGregor could fight at a catchweight of 80kg, which is just 3kg heavier than when the Irishman last fought in January, beating Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds.

McGregor announced himself as the greatest of all time this week and Silva responded with the challenge.

"I have an immense admiration for the great athlete Conor and I believe that a super fight would be something historic for the sport," he said.

"Neither of us need to prove anything to anyone; I believe UFC and sport fans would like to see this great martial show, testing my martial skills with him would be fantastic!"