Photo: Josh Hedges.
Not having set foot in the Octagon in a year, since losing to former champion Rashad Evans, Thiago Silva barged in guns blazing against Brandon Vera this Saturday at UFC 125 in Las Vegas.
The Brazilian liberally dished out provocations throughout the fight on the way to winning a unanimous decision. At the post-event press conference, Thiago explained:
“Brandon was saying in interviews that he was going to beat me, that he’d do this or that. All I said was tell him to try and beat me,” he says.
At a given moment in the third round, Thiago had Vera’s back, from where he launched a salvo of slaps.
“I threw some slaps just to get him to lose focus so I could get the submission,” he explains.
On the fight, Silva feels he had a good showing, although he still needs to evolve.
“I trained a lot for this fight. For someone who’s been out for a year, I feel I had a good appearance, but I’m here to improve too. I can improve.”
Regarding his future in the organization, he’s ready for whatever comes.
“I’m not here to pick my opponents. It’s not my decision, it’s the UFC’s, but I’m here to fight the best,” he says in closing.