Thiago Silva :: TATAME

Coaching strong at American Top Team to face the tough challenge with Lyoto Machida in UFC 94, in January, Thiago Silva doesn’t want to know about a result that isn’t a victory, which he hopes that it’ll take him to a chance for the belt. Unbeaten in 13 fights in his career, Thiago talked with TATAME about the preparation for the fight, what he expects of the challenge and analyzed the defeat of Wanderlei Silva to Quinton Jackson in UFC 92. Check out below the exclusive interview, where the fighter still talks about the triumphs of Jorge Santiago and Antônio "Pezão" in Sengoku.

How are the trainings for the fight?

The training is the usual, very strong, with much sparring, blocking, fitness preparation... I’m making full preparation, training it all. I’m a guy who is always trying to be complete, I don’t do specific training. My thing is to drop inside, I always try to finalize, either is standing or on the floor, this specific thing is not for me.

How do you expect the combat to roll?

I look at the facts. Lyoto is a guy that has the same record that I do, 13 fights, but I think he has eight victories by decision. He doesn’t fall for the combat and, if he does, I’ll thank God. I believe he will run away the entire fight and I'm prepared for this. My head is good and he’ll not let me nervous. If he runs, I’ll run after him.

Lyoto is pointed as one of the toughest athletes of the category. How will it be your situation in the event with a victory over him?

It’s two unbeaten, we’re in the same goal of winning the belt. I’m doing my work, I prefer to wait for the end of the fight. It is being very cool, having the chance to fight with the bests in the world is very gratifying. I’m humble, I'm not counting advantage and I’m here to do my job. I have dreams to come true and I'm in the race.

What did you think about the victory of Quinton Jackson on Wanderlei Silva in UFC 92?

Surprised me a lot. I found Rampage very concentrated, Wanderlei as always in the aggressive style, I admire him a lot, I reflected very much on him in the beginning, loved him, but in this fight I thought Rampage came more concentrated, more closed and ended up getting to the knockout.

Many people believe that Wanderlei focused a lot on fitness preparation and less on training sparring, which he had been doing in Xtreme Couture. Do you think this counted in the fight?

I think the name "MMA" says it all, everything has to merge. I don’t know how were he’s drills, I haven’t followed, but today there are many athletes who focus more on preparation than on the rest and I don’t think this is good because, wanting or not, the technique will prevail in the end. Conditioning is important, but in my opinion, technique is above.

In an interview to TATAME, you had bet on the victory of Rashad Evans on Forrest Griffin... What did you think of the fight?

I thought it was cool. Forrest printed a good game on top, but ended up crashing on the floor. Rashad was much more prepared at the ground and knew how to advantage. I thought it was cool, is an unbeaten owner of a belt and, God willing, we will have two unbeaten disputing the belt... It will be cool, huh?

How do you think it would be a fight with you against Rashad?

It would be a very tough fight. He has a very good wrestling and improved considerably on foot. I would love to do this fight, honestly.

Passing through Lyoto, who do you believe that the UFC will put in front of you? Do you think you can face another Brazilian, Wanderlei or Luiz "Banha" Cane?

I’m a professional, I want to win. Wanderlei is with a defeat and I heard rumors that he’ll go down in weight and Cane is okay, but I think he has to walk a lot, he just entered in the event. He has he’s values, but I need to value me. I’m here for a while and I want to fight with who is winning and who is with the belt.

And the victory of Jorge Santiago and Antônio “Pezão” (Big Foot) in Japan? How is the climate in ATT?

The team is more united, training is very good. Yesterday we had over 70 people training MMA in the ATT, one helps the other... Here is my home and I’m very happy. It’s very cool, you have to see to believe.