MANILA, Philippines – Veteran mixed martial artis Cung Le is open to fighting UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva after the Brazilian champion’s manager hinted that they are considering Le as a potential opponent.

“(Silva’s next fight) is still up in the air,” manager Ed Soares said, as quoted by MMA Mania. “I’m not too sure who could be next... We want to fight someone who has a little bit of a name, someone that has as big of a name as possible and that’s on a winning record or a winning run right now.” 

“When I think about it, the only thing that comes to mind and I don’t even know if that would be a possible fight is, you know, like Cung Le is coming off of three wins or something like that, where’s he’s go a little bit of a name,” he added.

In response to Soares’ statement, Le told MMA Fighting that he would welcome a Silva fight. 

“If the UFC wants me to fight after our discussion, I’m totally open for it,” he said. “I’m just happy that I’m in the mix... I’m open for whatever.”

Le will certainly be the underdog against Silva, but the veteran said he is looking forward to the challenge.

“If the fight would ever happen, I wouldn’t be scared because he’s pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world. I’d be excited to see how I do, whether I get beat up or whatever,” Le said.

“It doesn’t matter. That’s why we compete. That’s why we challenge ourselves. That’s what makes us who we are, and I love the challenge,” he added.