RIO DE JANEIRO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian mixed martial arts idol Anderson Silva can continue fighting into his 40s, according to his long-time trainer Luiz Dorea.

Silva, to turn 37 on Saturday, is the reigning UFC middleweight champion and has not lost a professional bout for six years.

Despite having won everything the sport has to offer, and at an age when most elite athletes have already retired, Silva has no plans to hang up his gloves.

"He can easily carry on for another 10 years, I don't have any doubt about that," Dorea said.

"He rarely gets injured and doesn't drink any alcohol whatsoever. He has the fitness of a 25 or 26-year-old."

Silva has already stated he plans to continue for at least another five years.

It's a prospect his family is dreading, especially wife Dayane and 15-year-old daughter Kaory, who have tried in vain to tell Silva to retire.

"I won't be able to stand another 10 years," Dayane said.  "I really hope that he stops in two years at the most. Our eldest daughter, who is 15, is even more concerned than I am. She often tells him, 'Dad, now it's time'."

Silva has already stepped up training for his June 23 fight with American world no.2 Chael Sonnen at Rio's Engenhao stadium.

The pair met in August 2010, when Sonnen dominated the early rounds before being finished by an armbar combination in the fifth round.