Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva told Brazilian news site Combate on Monday he has signed a new 15-fight deal with the promotion.

Silva, who will turn next year, said he met with UFC president Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta in Rio de Janeiro last week. He still had eight fights left on a previous deal signed in 2012.

"I was with Lorenzo and Dana on Thursday and the (previous) contract was torn," said Silva, according to the report. "To make Dana crazy, I signed for 15 more fights."

Widely considered the greatest fighter of all time, Silva has a history of playing coy with media in his career. His manager, Ed Soares, did not immediately respond to request for comment by ESPN.com

White, when asked if Silva's statements were true, would only respond: "Must be, if he said it."

Silva (33-6) is scheduled to fight Nick Diaz at UFC 183 on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas. It will mark his first appearance since he suffered two fractured bones in his left leg during a loss to Chris Weidman in December.

The Brazilian martial artist is 16-2 all-time in the UFC and holds a company record for most consecutive title defenses with 10. He made his UFC debut in June 2006.