Thiago Silva has come close to his division’s belt, but the loss to the former champions Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans disturbed the plans of the American Top Team’s athlete. Having fought for the last time in January, he wants to get back to a good sequence starting with a win over Tim Boetsch, on UFC 117, which happens on August 7. On an interview to TATAME, Thiago talked about the recovery of his back injury, commented the style of the game of his opponent and analyzed his division, pointing out to Maurício Shogun as the favorite for the duel with Rashad Evans.

How are the trainings for your fight on UFC 117 going?

The training is good, it’s being very productive, the guys are committed and the expectations are high… The last time I fought was seven month ago, right? It’s time, I’m ready. He’s a good wrestler, a good banger, has a good boxing, but my strategy is settled.

You had an injury on your fight with Rashad Evans. Is your recovery done? Are you going to be 100% for this fight?

My recovery was good. I found out I had three hernias and it disturbed me a bit because I couldn’t get back to my trainings, I had to stop and take care of myself, but I’m fine now. I did physiotherapy every single day and it became a routine thing for me, but my back is good, I’m training hard, so the expectations are high. I’ll get back at my best.

Thiago Pitbull, your team partner, will fight on the same night as you and will face Jon Fitch. How do you think this fight will end like?

Pitbull is training hard around here. Every day I see how he is committed to it, do it’ll be a good fight…

They confronted each other some years ago. What do you thing will be different this time?

I believe that Pitbull, nowadays, has a better ground game, his bang is wonderful… The guy is really good while standing. But I think that Pitbull’s differential is that he’s training his ground game, is sharp, more complete, and has been training a lot of Wrestling, so I believe this fight will be different.

You are coming from a loss to Rashad, who will probably be the next challenger for the belt. How do you see yourself on the division currently?

I see myself as an athlete with a potential to be developed and that, despite the injury, is working hard to compensate it. I don’t choose my opponents, I fight with whoever they tell me to, but I want to fight the bests. From this fight on, I want to fight the tops again.

This fight between Rashad and Shogun will probably happen next year. How do you think it will be like?

Rashad has a good block-game. He’s using it in every single fight he does… He did it with me, did it with Rampage and I don’t see him doing it differently against Shogun because Shogun is a great guy standing and on the ground too. I’ve trained with him and I believe Rashad doesn’t have tolls to beat him, unless he brings him to the ground and get stuck there, just like he did with me. If Shogun block his takedowns, he wins, for sure.

UFC 117 will have six Brazilian vs. American bouts. What do you think the outcome of this duel will be?

Well, I’m a Brazilian, right, man? I’ll cheer for my country. I believe it’ll be an awesome night, many Brazilians will be there together and I hope everybody wins.