Antonio
Silva wants to share his side of the story.
After leaving the main event of Taura MMA
11 in Florida last Friday due to problems with the
organization, Silva (19-12-1) already agreed to fight against
American Chris
Barnett (21-6). The two heavyweights are set to come to blows
in France on Dec. 12 in fledgling organization
Arena Fight Championship. On Wednesday, “Bigfoot” spoke to
Sherdog, where he explained the whole situation involving Taura
MMA.
“It was absurd,” Silva said flatly. “They [Taura
MMA] promised to pay me some advanced money in August in order
to help my camp expenses and never deposited. In the week of the
fight, they found out that one exam I sent in October needed to be
made again, and they guaranteed there was no time left for that,
which is not true. Unfortunately, the event was not professional
with me. Actually, they were doing two events at the same time, one
week in Brazil and the next one in USA, and didn’t have enough
people to take care of bureaucracy, like exams and visas.”
Silva continued, “I’m sad for that because Brazil has a lot of
talent and we need more big events coming, but those guys are not
professionals and I’m sure Taura will not last too long. My lawyer
already asked to cancel the contract and I’m going to sue them for
all money I have spent in this camp. I was sorry for [Brett]
Martin, who also trained to face me, but it was not my fault. It
was a total lack of respect [for] me, him and the audience.”
All was not negative for the former Ultimate Fighting Championship title
challenger, who will be competing in a month in Europe.
“I’m really happy to sign with that great European organization,”
Silva explained. “I’m going to fight against a very tough American,
Chris
Barnett, a guy who is coming from an impressive sequence of
seven wins.”
About his opponent, Silva predicted a classic style matchup of
striker vs. grappler.
“He is an explosive striker, Taekwondo champion, who kicks very
well and also has a good boxing technique and knockout power,” said
Silva. Confidence brimming, he further discussed his skills,
saying, “My hands are sharp, but of course if I have the
opportunity, I will take him down and use my jiu-jitsu and my
ground-and-pound to decide.”
With 32 MMA fights, another in kickboxing and one more in bare
knuckle boxing, the 41-year-old nicknamed “Bigfoot” is not thinking
about retirement. Instead, the adoption of twin brothers in his
home state of Paraiba in Brazil has made him more motivated to
fight, even without being able to train in his usual camp of
American Top Team.
“Due to all adoption process, unfortunately, I can’t leave Brazil
for a long period. But there are a couple of tough local guys who
helped me to fight Martin, and will keep helping in my camp to
Barnett. The most important [thing] is that I’m really happy with
that amazing moment of my life, and when you are happy, you work
better,” concluded Silva.