Joaquim Silva is focusing on a December battle after returning to the successful observe with a hard-fought choice over Claudio Puelles at Noche UFC in San Antonio, however could be pleased with a November turnaround if the chance is just too good to disregard.
And even sooner than that, too, if the person standing throughout the cage is Charles Oliveira.
“Netto BJJ” knocked down Puelles late to safe the nod in Texas and was joyful along with his efficiency general, and now raises his hand whereas seeing the promotion scramble to discover a identify to switch Rafael Fiziev towards “do Bronx” in the primary occasion of UFC Rio on Oct. 11.
“To be fairly trustworthy, I’m prepared,” Silva mentioned of probably going through Oliveira in Brazil. “I’d battle as a result of it’s an ideal alternative. Charles is an idol for everyone, however that is our job. I must work, he additionally must work. If this chance was offered to me — I already advised my supervisor that I’m prepared. I’d battle him, I’d make weight. However I do know there’s lots of people forward of me. Large names, many individuals on lengthy successful streaks at light-weight. … But when [the offer] was made, I’d undoubtedly do it. It will be an honor to battle Charles in Rio de Janeiro. There’s no rivalry, no nothing. It’s work.”
Silva shouldn’t be the primary American High Group athlete to volunteer for the duty. Fellow lightweights Renato Moicano and Mateusz Gamrot took on social media over the previous few days campaigning for the primary occasion spot, and Silva has talked to Gamrot in Florida about that on Monday.
“He’s hungry for it,” Silva mentioned. “He’s an athlete, all the time able to battle, all the time asking to battle. I feel he would possibly get this battle since he’s ranked. However I don’t know if it’s attention-grabbing for Charles as a result of Charles was coaching for a striker, somebody who would keep on his toes. Gamrot has a unique recreation, a wrestler with grappling who will attempt to take him down, work on that scramble like he did towards Arman [Tsarukyan]. There was some placing in that battle, too, however it was extra wrestling and grappling than MMA.”
“Netto BJJ” admits he would favor Oliveira in a possible conflict with Gamrot, and explains why.
“Charles is extra of a finisher, he’s harmful on the bottom,” Silva mentioned. “And there’s additionally the camp issue, which I’m certain if you put together for a battle for 3 months you’re physique is healthier tailored to go three rounds at the next tempo, and it’s simpler to get the victory. It’s very sophisticated when you take a battle on brief discover. It’s a troublesome battle due to that. Gamrot has nice cardio, good grappling and wrestling, and he’s robust. Identical for Charles, who has wonderful jiu-jitsu, most submissions in [UFC] historical past. It’s exhausting to select, however I’d wager on Charles.”
