[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaAN97tX_dM&w=560&h=315]
Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app.
American Top Team head coach “Conan” Marcus
Silveira is not used to seeing his fighters as betting
underdogs on big Ultimate Fighting Championship cards. On March 5,
UFC 272 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The
main event will see a grudge match between former ATT teammates
Colby
Covington and Jorge
Masvidal, and the remainder of the main card is equally
littered by ATT standouts like Renato
Carneiro and Edson
Barboza. Ahead of the event, Sherdog spoke to the chief coach
of the renowned fight camp, Silveira, who did not seem overly
concerned that Masvidal (+270), Carneiro (+150) and Barboza (+145)
are all coming in as betting underdogs.
“Most important than odds is the hard work,” Silveira mentioned.
“And I’m sure Barboza, Masvidal and Moicano are in great shape for
Saturday.”
When it comes to “Moicano,” who stepped in to replace Rafael
Fiziev four days before the event, Silveira reaffirmed that he
is not normally in favor of short-notice fights. As Carneiro last
competed in February, tapping Alexander
Hernandez in the second round, Silveira believes that Carneiro
is still in fighting shape and will put on a good showing against
Rafael dos
Anjos.
“[Regarding Carneiro], in that case, we gave total support to
Renato,” Silveira explained. “This kid is in great shape. He
trained so hard for Alexander
Hernandez, on Feb. 12, that we are confident that he will have
a great performance against RDA. Of course, Rafael is a former
champion and deserves all respect, but huge risks may turn into
great rewards. For everything Moicano is doing in sparring, we
believe that he belongs to the top-10 rankings, and we expect him
to show that on Saturday.”
Right before “Moicano” vs. dos Anjos, Barboza will square off
against undefeated grappler Bryce
Mitchell in a classic grappler vs. striker battle. Barboza is
coming off a loss against Giga
Chikadze, and the 36-year-old ranked in the top 10 of his
division will be aiming to get back on track against a submission
specialist. Silveira did not expect that Barboza will struggle in
this matchup.
“Bryce is proving to be a talent of the new generation,” Silveira
analyzed, “but I truly believe that Edson’s style will not fit well
to him.”
Concerning the main event between two former ATT fighters that he
was used to train, the Carlson Gracie black belt believes that
experience will make the difference for Masvidal.
“I’m really impressed how, after 50 MMA fights and almost [a]
20-year career, Masvidal [has] reinvented himself,” “Conan”
remarked. “If Colby [doesn’t] win fast, putting him down and
attacking his gas tank, he will have problems. Masvidal improved a
lot his wrestling skills and has much more weapons than Colby in
the stand-up game.”
