The man of the heavyweights, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva is training hard for his next battle against Andrei Arlovski, on May 15 in Strikeforce. Coming off a loss to Fabricio Werdum, Silva guarantees he’ll be more thirst for this victory. In an exclusive interview for TATAME straight from Florida, US, the Brazilian told us how is his preparation like and what is his strategy to face Arlovski as well as his training on American Top Team and the desire for revenge against Werdum.
How is the training at ATT? Today you can count with trainings partners as Jeff Monson, Bobby Lashley o Todd Duffee...
On ATT I’m practicing my Jiu Jitsu with the master Ricardo Libório and Parrupinha. As for the others training for the physical preparation and striking, I’m working with André Benkei and Mohammed Quali in another gym. Also being helped by Marcus Aurélio, who’s adjusting my Jiu Jitsu. Well, about Jeff Monson and Bobby Lashley, I can say it’s a pity they just practice using ATT’s name, but since they live far and unfortunately they can’t practice with us in Coconut Creek and Duffee is no longer a member of ATT. My current trainings partners are Thiago Silva, Luis Cane "Banha", Jorge Santiago, Danilo Índio and Guto, who has come from Brazil to help me
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What are the expectations to confront Andrei Arlovski, a former UFC champion?
Great ones. Besides that he is a former UFC champion, he is also on the top 10 and that brings a greater motivation. It will be a great fight, because I’m sure he must be killing himself out to train as I do, after all both he and I are coming from defeat, so we want to win and have all the spotlights on us among our category.
What strategy will you use for this fight, knowing he has a high level boxing and is dangerous on the ground?
See, I want to be fast and in a good shape, after all, like you said, he is a hell of a boxer, so I must be alert on my defenses, counterattacks and timing. The ground part is not my concern.
After your defeat against Fabrício Werdum, a victory on Arlovski would put you on the top of your category, right?
Yeah, for sure. Defeat is never a good thing, but unfortunately it’s a part o four profession. After that fight I spend four whole weeks with my left hand immobilized because I broke it in the beginning of the second round. Right after it I went back to the hard trainings, trying to make a good comeback.
In case of winning this Arlovski fight do you think about revenge against Werdum or will you wait for the Strikeforce to set you up with Fedor?
I’m focusing on my fight against Arlovski and when I have won I’ll ask for Werdum, independently of his result against Fedor. There’s nothing to do with him or rivalry, it’s just a Professional thing because he and master Rafael Cordeiro are wonderful persons and we got along pretty welling the week before the fight. I admire and respect the people from Chute Boxe besides cheering a lot for Cris Cyborg.
What do you think your mistake was in the Werdum fight? What would you do differently if you got another chance to beat him?
Well, some practice a lot, others pray too much. My mistake was my self-confidence. I had the victory in my hands and let it spill. The two knockdowns on the first round plus another in the second weren’t enough because I broke my hand in the beginning of that round. After that I wasn’t the same fighter. We cannot take off the credit of Werdum. He stayed firm after all of my attempts, he is a great athletes. I’m pretty sure that, if I was on my best for the whole fight, the results would be different because it wouldn’t have to be made a decision by the judges.
Say something to your fans...
I want to send a special and big hug for everyone that is cheering for me, to my team on ATT, the coaches Benkei and Quali, to my daughters and my wife that are always on my side supporting me and everyone that admires and keep up with the sport.
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