Anderson Silva undergoes surgery

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LAS VEGAS -- Immediate surgery on the broken left leg of Anderson Silva was deemed a success early Sunday morning, according to the UFC.

Silva remains hospitalized in Las Vegas following a procedure to repair his leg, which he injured in a failed bid to recapture the UFC middleweight title against Chris Weidman on Saturday.

The injury occurred when Silva (33-6) threw a leg kick that Weidman checked with his left knee. According to a statement released by the promotion, UFC orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Sanders performed the operation.

"The successful surgery inserted an intramedullary rod into Anderson's left tibia," the statement read. "The broken fibula was stabilized and does not require a separate surgery.

"Anderson will remain in the hospital for a short while, but no additional surgery is scheduled at this time. Recovery time for such injuries may vary between three and six months."

After the title bout, UFC president Dana White didn't rule out Silva, 38, returning to the Octagon, but acknowledged it would be "a tough thing to come back from."

The Brazilian is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. He holds the UFC record for consecutive wins with 16.

"Maybe he'll want to make a comeback, but who knows," White said. "We'll see what happens. I don't want to count him out. I don't want to count him in. The important thing is he gets the surgery and heals up."