REPORTS Anderson Silva will quit the UFC next year are wide of the mark, according to industry insiders.

The Brazilian star sent shockwaves through the world of mixed martial arts by announcing his intention to leave the sport in 2009.

UFC middleweight champion Silva, 33, told Brazilian TV show Sensei SporTV: “I’ll retire next year, I already gave my all.

“I don’t need to prove anything for anyone and within one year I’ll put my gloves aside.”

But SunSport understands he is likely to quit MMA ONLY if he is granted a green card by the US government.

Earlier this year, he and UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio ‘Rodrigo' Nogueira moved to South Florida to open their own MMA academy in downtown Miami.

The pair train together and have given seminars to adults and children interested in the sport.

Silva has yet to attain US citizenship but is understood to want to set up home permanently in Florida to work at the academy once his MMA career is over. He currently splits his time between the States and his hometown of Curitiba, Brazil.

Having the backing of Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta – owners of Zuffa, the UFC’s parent company - would be a huge boost to his chances of gaining citizenship because of their influence in the MMA world.

Obtaining a green card in the US can be a long and arduous process, with some applications taking up to 10 YEARS to process.

The Brazilian has stated he is unhappy with the amount of fights the UFC have offered him, insisting he is ready to compete up to SIX times in one year.

Most MMA fighters usually compete two or three times in a 12-month timeframe and UFC president Dana White has been nothing but complimentary about his star performer.

Speaking about Silva’s fight request earlier this year, White said: "I love this guy. He'll fight anyone.

“He wants to fight six times a year. It makes my job harder but I love it.

“This guy and Chuck Liddell don't care, they'll fight whoever you put in front of them."

Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, confirmed the Muay Thai expert is desperate to be involved in big fights – whether they take place with the UFC or other organisations.

But he was quick to dismiss claims Silva would quit the UFC next year.

Our friends at Fighters Only Magazine cite a post attributed to him on popular messageboard MMA.tv.

It read: "Dana hasn't done anything to f*** over Silva. It's the complete opposite. Dana has been very good to Anderson.

"I can guarantee you Anderson will not be retiring within the next year. He still has six fights on his contract."

Industry insiders claim Silva has aspirations to become a two-sport champion, with a career in boxing a distinct possibility once he is finished with MMA.

A possible boxing match with Roy Jones Jr has been touted, but White has claimed he will use his power to veto a bout between the pair while Silva is contracted to the UFC because he does not support cross-promotion.