TORONTO -- His family isnt too happy about it but former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva says he cant wait to return to the cage after a lengthy layoff from a gruesome leg injury. The 39-year-old Brazilian is due to make his comeback Jan. 31 against Nick Diaz at UFC 183 in Las Vegas. Silva (33-6) has not fought since breaking his leg last December in a fight against middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC 168. The Brazilian star collapsed in the cage after his leg essentially shattered when Weidman checked his kick. "Im just dying to return to the Octagon and do the thing that I most love in my life," Silva said Friday through an interpreter on a media conference call. His family doesnt share that view, however. "To tell you the truth, theyre not too happy but they respect my wish and now theyre coping with it," he added. Asked about their objections, Silva replied: "I dont think anybodys family would like to see their family going to war and with mine it wouldnt be different." Silva had surgery the night of the Weidman fight to stabilize his broken left leg, with a 40-centimetre-long rod inserted into the tibia below the knee. His fibula was also broken in what he called "a mere accident." Silva says the injured leg is at 95 per cent and improving, promising it will be 100 per cent when he makes his comeback against Diaz. The rod may came out at a later date. He said he never contemplated retirement in the aftermath of the injury. And he said there was no hesitation when it came to delivering his first kick back in the gym. Silva said there are no limitations on his leg although he is not kicking as hard as he usually does. "Hes going to wait to kick hard at the day of the fight," said the interpreter. The 30-year-old Diaz (27-9-1) last fought in March 2013 when he lost a decision to then-welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Silva said he expects the fight with Diaz to be one of the best standup battles of the year. "Nick Diaz is a guy that walks forward. Hes got great boxing skills and hes going to come to fight. So the fans can expect a great fight." Asked whether he had sights set on regaining his 185-point title, Silva said his first priority was to see how he performs against Diaz. "Right now its not my priority but its not out of the question to fight for the title," said the Brazilian, who has seven fights left on his contract. Silva lost his title to Weidman at UFC 162 in July 2013. The second-round knockout ended a 17-fight winning streak that included 10 successful title defences. Silva was complimentary towards Weidman, calling him "a great champion." "Very talented. The guys for real," he said. In a conference call earlier this week, Diaz said he did not enjoy fighting and was a non-violent person. Its just something he had to do. Silva saw things a little differently, saying NASCAR drivers dont go out and burn rubber when they arent competing. "Its just a sport," he said of mixed martial arts. "Its a violent sport but it is what it is." Cheap Nike Shoes From China . Both sides of the deal have formally announced acquisitions: TFC introduced Jozy Altidore as a designated player on Friday, while their counterparts announced a three-and-a-half-year deal with Jermain Defoe. China Shoes 2020 . Casey Janssen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday due to a strain in his left abdominal area and lower back. http://www.wholesaleshoesusa.com/ . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. Discount Shoes For Sale . - Playing a road game against a division rival raises the intensity for linebacker Clay Matthews. Fake Shoes 2020 . -- All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham and the New Orleans Saints met Tuesday for arbitration on his contract.Canadas David Hearn came achingly close to his first PGA Tour victory last season. Hes had three top-10 results this season and feels ready to put it all together and finally hoist a trophy at the top level. "I feel really close," Hearn said Wednesday. "I got really close last year at the John Deere (Classic) just before the Canadian Open. Im a little bit surprised its taken me quite as long to get back into contention. "But I feel like everything is right where it needs to be to have a week where I know I could put it all together. Ive improved a lot of little areas of my game and I feel like my game is consistently better." Hearns best career finish came at the 2013 John Deere Classic. He was tied with Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson after regulation but Spieth took the title by hitting a par putt on the fifth playoff hole. The 35-year-old from Brantford, Ont., is enjoying a short break before ramping things up in July. He plans to play at The Greenbrier Classic early next month before returning to the John Deere Classic. Entry in the British Open remains a question mark for now but Hearn is locked in for the July 24-27 RBC Canadian Open at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. He has yet to play the Ile-Bizard, Que., course but feels his game should be a good fit for the old-style, tree-lined layout. "Its a course from my understanding that keeping the ball in play off the tee is going to be at a premium," he said on a conference call. "Thats something that my game is well suited for." Hearn will be joined in the field by fellow Canadians Graham DeLaet, Mike Weir and Stephen Ames. Golff Canada confirmed Wednesday that world No.dddddddddddd15 Dustin Johnson is also entered along with Charl Schwartzel, Chris Kirk, Matt Every and Charley Hoffman. Theyll join a field that includes defending champion Brandt Snedeker, Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan. Hearn, who celebrated a birthday Tuesday, said now that hes in his mid-30s he feels more comfortable taking a little time off before busy stretches on the Tour. "I think Ive gotten a lot better at setting my schedule out and giving myself breaks when I need them, so when I do play I feel like Im ready to compete each and every week that I do tee it up," he said. Hearn, who turned pro in 2001, finished tied for sixth at the Honda Classic last March and had another sixth-place effort last month at The Players Championship. However, he has missed the cut at six of his last 16 tournaments and currently holds the No. 90 position in the world rankings. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the last victory by a Canadian at the national open. Pat Fletcher was the last to do it in 1954. The 2014 field for the US$5.7-million event includes eight former champions in Snedeker (2013), Scott Piercy (2012), Sean OHair (2011), Carl Pettersson (2010), Nathan Green (2009), Jim Furyk (2006, 2007), Vijay Singh (2004) and John Rollins (2002). Canadians Adam Hadwin, Brad Fritsch and Beon Yeong Lee will also be in the field. The rest of the tournament entries will be finalized in the coming weeks. Follow (at)GregoryStrongCP on Twitter. ' ' '