Antonio Silva
Antonio Silva is happy to fight Fedor Emelianenko.
Antonio “Big Foot” Silva has the biggest fight of his career before him, the first round Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix match up with former top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko on Feb. 12 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., and the Brazilian is happy for the opportunity.
“I’m very happy to be a part of this great tournament,” said Silva. “I’m very happy to fight Fedor. I still consider him the number one heavyweight in the world. I’m going to be ready for this bout.”
Emelianenko had his decade-long win streak snapped in his last outing by submission to Fabricio Werdum in June. Fedor’s a legend to the hardcore MMA fan for his dominance in the now-defunct Pride Fighting Championships in Japan and highlight reel finishes in the short-lived Affliction organization.
The Russian’s legendary status is what Silva wants a little piece of, and motivates him heading into the “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva” main event.
“To be a legend, you must beat a legend, and that’s what I’m going to do and prove to everybody that I’m ready to be the next best heavyweight in the world,” said Silva. “It’s my dream. I’m going to follow my dreams and go forward, and I’m going to beat the legend, and I’m going to be a legend.”
While entered in an eight-man tournament, it’s still one fight at a time and single elimination, and Silva’s mentality is the fight with Emelianenko is the finals. It’s win or go home.
“He’s the best heavyweight in the world, the top of the food chain, and I want to do my best to beat him. For me, this is the final.”
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