Anderson Silva seeing psychologist over broken leg

Anderson Silva will return to the octagon in January for the first time since breaking his leg on Dec. 28, 2012, in a loss to Chris Weidman.

Though Silva has resumed training and is preparing for his fight with Nick Diaz, he has not overcome all obstacles associated with the brutal injury. Specifically, he is trying to overcome the psychological effects of the injury.

“I feel no pain at all,” Silva said in an interview to Fantastico. “My strength is back because I’m back to training. The hardest part is self-confidence, to kick again as I used to.”

Silva even admitted to Fantastico that he is haunted by the ghosts of the injury and seeing a psychologist to get over it.

“I’ve worked with a psychologist so I can get rid of the ghosts of those horrible moments of that fight, when I had that accident,” Silva said. “I’m a little apprehensive in training. I know I can execute the movement, but I end up not doing it for fear.”

Silva doesn’t believe it will happen again, but he is still worried about it.

“Yeah, I won’t get hurt. I know I won’t get hurt, but fear is natural,” he added. “I don’t want to feel that pain ever again. No way.”

Silva’s apprehension is completely understandable and it’s why many felt the injury would ruin his career. How can he have full confidence and trust in kicking again at full strength after seeing his body fail him last time? The guy will be facing a 13-month layoff as a result of the broken leg. That’s no fun to go through.

[Previously: Anderson Silva not sure he wants to fight eight more times]

Despite his psychological issues, I still believe Silva will beat Diaz.

Translation via MMA Fighting