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.
“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.”
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