Last June, I wrote on MMARatings.net about Erick Silva’s fight against Jason High at UFC on FUEL TV 10 being an opportunity for the young Brazilian to redeem himself after losing the biggest fight of his career to Jon Fitch at UFC 153.
Silva redeemed himself alright, and in impressive fashion too, as he won the Submission of the Night award for his rarely-seen triangle/armbar combination which made High tap out in just 71 seconds. It was a huge win for “Indio,” one that earned him another huge fight against a top welterweight, and at UFC Fight Night 29 he took on Dong Hyun Kim in a fight he was favored to win.
Despite the fact that Kim seemed gassed out, and despite the fight being in Silva’s home country of Brazil, for one split second the 29-year-old Brazilian left his guard down. That was all it took, as one giant left hand from “Stun Gun” sent Silva falling down to the canvas, where a hammerfist of doom by Kim would end Silva’s night in devastating fashion.
It was a bad loss for Silva, and it’s a loss that sends him way down the welterweight rankings. And he needs to bounce back in a big way if he’s going to be seen as a viable contender at 170 pounds in the UFC ever again. And this weekend at UFC Fight Night 36, he gets his chance to right the ship.
On Saturday night in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil, Silva will take on UFC newcomer Takenori Sato in what is being chalked up as a mismatch of epic proportions. Oddsmakers currently have Silva pegged as an 11-to-1 favorite to win the fight, and if that line holds steady through fight night, Silva will close as one of the biggest favorites in UFC history.
Sure, beating Sato isn’t going to move Silva up in the rankings, but what it will do is give the youngster an opportunity to redeem himself after that ugly loss to Kim in front of his home country. It gives him an opportunity to showcase his skills, and it gives him a chance to prove to not the fans, but to himself, that he still has what it takes to be a champion in this sport.
Losing is hard for anyone, but for a young fighter like Silva who has dealt with so many ups and downs throughout his short UFC tenure, it’s even harder. That’s why the UFC booked him in a mismatch this weekend, because they still believe in him, and they want to give him an opportunity to believe in himself, too.
If Silva wins, it’ll likely come in impressive fashion, and it would improve his UFC record to a decent 4-3. If he loses, though, he’ll drop to 3-4, and not only will he have just lost to a nobody in Sato, he’ll likely lose his job as well.
This is a big fight for Silva, and the fact everyone is expecting him to steamroll his opponent makes it even more pressure-filled, and that much more dangerous of afight for him. In fact, Silva might actually be his own worst enemy in this matchup, because if he’s not all mentally there, he could be in trouble.
We’ll see how Silva responds to the test, and I’m expecting him to come through with shining colors, but for a guy who was expected to beat everyone he’s fought in the UFC so far and only has a 3-3 record to show for it, that might be easier said than done.
UFC Fight Night 36
• Takenori Sato vs. Erick Silva
Click the stars to rate your anticipation for this fight.
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UFC Fight Night 36: Machida vs. Mousasi is due to take place on February 15, 2014 at the Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 36 will be.
Seems like an odd pairing because Crusher won last while Guida was viciously KOed. My only conclusion is that the loser gets fired due to being old and probably highly paid. Would've rather seen Kawajiri vs. Poirier, Swanson, or Siver.
Pretty damn good except for Amanda Kelly's coaching/fightIQ or whatever you want to call it.