With the race for a shot at the UFC light heavyweight champion heating up, Thiago Silva would like to throw his name in the hat for top contender after Mauricio “Shogun” Rua gets his turn at UFC 104 later this month. It’s being rumored that he could face former UFC champ Rashad Evans to determine his worthiness, however nothing has been offered.
“I don’t know what the UFC will want from me next, but I am already back training,” Silva told MMAJunkie.com of his daily regimen. “American Top Team has helped me tremendously, and I am back. I will be ready when they call.”
And what if the phone rings and the UFC has Evans on the other line?
“Rashad is a former champion and a top-level fighter,” Silva said. “I would love the opportunity to demonstrate that my skills are on that same level.”
An impressive win over Evans would solidify Silva’s spot as next in line for a chance at 205-pound gold. And if that’s the case, the Brazilian will be rooting for the champ to retain his strap on October 24th so if/when he gets a mulligan against the only man to blemish his 14-1 record, it will be for a championship.
“It’s one of my main goals to fight Lyoto Machida again,” Silva said. “That defeat hurt my soul.”
Machida knocked Silva into unconsciousness just as the first round was coming to an end during their UFC 94 showdown in January, however he bounced back nicely by posting an opening round TKO of his own over Keith Jardine up at UFC 102 a couple weeks back.
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