Thiago Silva. Photo: Carlos Ozorio
Thiago Silva will have no rest this New Year’s Eve. Right after, on January 2, he will face former UFC champion Rashad Evans in Las Vegas. With 11 knockouts and two submissions in 15 bouts, the Jiu-Jitsu black belt promises another exciting display at UFC 108.
“To me each fight might as well be my last. I fight like it was a title match regardless of the opponent. It’s an important fight for me, because it puts me on track for the belt. All my fans expect a show. I don’t run from opponents and I’m going in to win,” he said.
Thiago knows he won’t have it easy in the octagon. Like himself, Rashad only has one loss on his record to the very same opponent, Lyoto Machida. However, the fighter is as confident as ever.
“It’s a great challenge, against one of the best in the world. It’s just what I wanted. I have faith in my style, my Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and striking. I’m ready to take on anyone, to be champion,” he is quoted as saying on the UFC website.
Thiago and Evans headline the event. Another heavily-anticipated match has Gilbert Yvel, making his debut in the organization after victory over Pedro Rizzo, in a show down with Junior “Cigano” dos Santos, who has won his last three fights in the UFC by knockout. Beyond the main event broadcast on pay-per-view, two fights will show on Spike TV.
Check out the card:
Main card
Rashad Evans vs Thiago Silva
Paul Daley vs Dustin Hazelett
Joe Lauzon vs Sam Stout
Duane Ludwig vs Jim Miller
Junior Dos Santos vs Gilbert Yvel
Spike TV broadcast
Martin Kampmann vs Jacob Volkmann
Dan Lauzon vs Cole Miller
Preliminary bouts
Steve Cantwell vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Ryan Jensen vs Mark Munoz
Jake Ellenberger vs Mike Pyle
Rafaello Oliveira vs John Gunderson