Anderson Silva - Exclusive interview

interviewed by Ed Preuss for MMA Sports. Photo by Josh Hedges, Courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.

UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva steps up to Light Heavyweight to face James Irvin on July 19 at UFC Fight Night. In this exclusive interview, he tells us his thoughts on the fight, his upcoming title fight against Yushin Okami and the other competitors in the middleweight division.

MMA Sports: Are you worried about your next challenge?
Anderson Silva: I am very confident about this fight.

MMA Sports: So, what do you think about doing the main fight of a show that is suppose to compete with Affliction?
Anderson Silva: Well, I am a fighter and my job is fighting. In fact, this fight was a personal request of Dana White and it has its value. I have been training hard and I wish I do a good job in the octagon.

MMA Sports: So, what do you know about James Irwin?
Anderson Silva: I know he is a tough fighter and likes to exchange punches. I need to be careful. But I am not worried. I am confident everything is going to be alright. I will try to do my best as I always do, no matter the result. I am going to test myself… to challenge myself.

MMA Sports: He commented saying that the middleweight division is way different than fighting among the light-heavyweights... what do you have to say about that?
Anderson Silva: I believe and respect the weight divisions. But when I used to fight at Pride there was no division such as 83kg. I've always fought among the 93kg fighters. And I didn't have the same technique and physical condition I have today. It’s an experience for me and as I said before, I am doing it for a lot of reasons… including a request of Dana White.

MMA Sports: So, if you win the fight, everyone will be wondering whether you will be looking to fight for the light-heavyweight title?
Anderson Silva: No, no. I do not have intention to fight for this belt. In my opinion it belongs to a man called Lyoto Machida and he has proven it! I will fight Irwin because I like fighting and challenges.

MMA Sports: After the fight you return to Brazil and then you have another challenge ahead: Yushin Okami…
Anderson Silva: I am going to train harder for this challenge. In the first fight we met at Rumble on the Rock, the rules weren't clear for me. I ended launching an illegal kick and got disqualified. Everybody saw I was winning that fight. In case I didn't get disqualified, I believe he wouldn't last one more round.

MMA Sports Mag – So, what do you think about this next meeting with him?
Anderson Silva: He is a great fighter and he is very skillful. Prove of his value is that he is fighting in the UFC. And I think he showed enough to fight for the belt. I had my chance once and he now has his. But I warn him it's going to be easy… some of the best fighters tried, but the belt is still with me.

MMA Sports: What do you think of Patrick Cote?
Anderson Silva: I think its great everybody wants a piece of me. They will challenge me and my technique and if I deserve to remain the champion, just time will tell. I know I won’t be a champion forever, somebody will eventually beat me and this makes me stronger to postpone this day. I just know I train to show my game and the result is focused in the whole work. As I said, everybody wants a piece of me and my title and I will train harder and harder to retain it.

MMA Sports: Is there anyone in particular that you would like to fight?
Anderson Silva: I don't know… but if it was possible I'd like to fight my clone (laughs), but I think it's just possible in the videogame… but it would be funny. The other day I got myself thinking about that.

MMA Sports: Some people wonder about fights between you and Georges St. Pierre, or Paulão Filho… what do you think about fighting them?
Anderson Silva – Well, what can I say? I think a fight with Georges St. Pierre would be very interesting. The same thing with the Brazilians... I really admire Paulo Filho's job and I don't refuse fights, I don't choose opponents. Also Ronaldo Jacaré is such a rising star and I think he is also doing a great job at Dream and I would not be surprised if someday we meet in the ring in the future.

MMA Sports: So, tell me about your training at the “Minotauro” Team…
Anderson Silva: It's very cool. Rodrigo “Minotauro” got a place in Miami and everyday of training is a different day for me. Its a daily transformation… the whole crew is awesome. I just train with fighters heavier than me. And to be honest, I've always trained like that. We did a special training schedule and physical preparation and I am confident it will work fine.