Even though he has lost four of his last five
Ultimate Fighting Championship appearances, Bruno Silva
promises that he has never been more motivated to return to the
Octagon.
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“Blinadado” will face Chris
Weidman at UFC
Atlantic City on March 30.
“I’m motivated by big challenges. My goal has always been to fight
the very best,” he said. “Chris
Weidman is a former champion, a legend of the sport, a guy who
defeated legends of the sport like Anderson
Silva, Lyoto
Machida and Vitor
Belfort. If the UFC chose me to face him on March 30, it is
because they know that win or lose, I always deliver great fights
and am looking to finish at all times.”
Silva is well aware of Weidman’s wrestling and grappling
credentials. To prepare for that challenge, the Brazilian has been
driving 300 miles across Brazil from Curitiba to Criciuma to
improve his grappling skills with no gi world champion Henrique
Ceconi.
“Weidman is a complete fighter, but I believe he will try to use
his wrestling to avoid my striking game, so I’m training hard with
‘Sapo’ and Cecconi here in Criciuma to avoid that and impose my
game, which is to knock him out in the first or second round,” he
said. “Getting my 21st knockout win against Weidman would be really
amazing.”
Silva also celebrated training partner Brunno
Ferreira’s victory over Phil Hawes
at UFC Fight Night 234 last weekend.
“Man, this guy is my most constant sparring guy that works so hard
every day,” Silva said. “I’m really happy he was able to finally
show his judo throws and decide the fight with a knockout and get a
bonus.”
After that fight, Ferreira called for a matchup with Sharabutin
Magomedov. Silva believes his training partner will be a difficult
matchup for the Russian. “Shara Bullet” defeated Silva via
unanimous decision at UFC 294.
“Shara is not good on the ground,” Silva said. “Even though I don’t
like revenge, I think ‘Hulk’ will take him down and submit him or
knock him out.”