Official Site of UFC Fighter Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva comes back to choke out Stanislav Nedkov

admin — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:40:40 +0000

After two rounds of dealing with Stanislav Nedkov’s dirty boxing clinch game, Silva seized on an opportunity to take his opponent down, then submitted him for his first win in more than three.

The light heavyweight bout was the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 6 event at CotaiArena in Venetian Macau Resort Hotel. It aired on FUEL TV following prelims on Facebook.

Despite Silva’s height advantage, Nedkov came forward right away and bullied his way in to push Silva to the cage. Silva worked for short strikes as he tried to reverse position with his back on the fence. Silva looked for inside knees, but when he was able to break and land a knee to Nedkov’s chin, he slipped and hit the deck. Although he popped back up quickly, the result was an exchange of haymakers from each fighter, and ultimately Nedkov retained his position in the clinch on the fence. Silva landed a knee when he finally was able to break, but Nedkov spent the rest of the round with more of the same – keeping Silva backed to the fence.

In the second, Silva tried to create some distance to avoid Nedkov going back to the dirty boxing game. But he landed one too low just 15 seconds in and Nedkov was given time to recover. On the restart, Silva again looked for a kick to gain some room, but before long Nedkov pushed him right back to the fence, eventually looking for a takedown. But referee Steve Perceval had seen that routine in the first round and was going to stand for much less of it in the second. He broke the stalemate and sent the two back to the middle. Quickly after, though, Nedkov’s game plan resumed – with the crowd booing the lack of action. Silva again appeared to land low, and Nedkov looked for time – but Perceval didn’t grant it.

But with 20 seconds left in the second round, Nedkov finally landed a big shot. Silva swung over the top with a right, but Nedkov ducked under and landed a giant right of his own that put Silva on the canvas with the 4-to-1 odds in his favor in definite jeopardy.

Nedkov went right back to work with the right hand to start the last round. But after another questionable shot, he again looked for time from the referee and again wasn’t granted it. And as Nedkov was told to keep fighting, looking worn out, Silva moved in with a kick, then a takedown – and quickly got to full mount with plenty of time to work. He worked for an arm triangle, turned to his side and cranked his way to a comeback submission victory that was the first stoppage on the card after seven straight decisions.

“(My strategy) was just to do the same thing – work my standup and kick his legs,” Silva said. “That’s what I did, and I used the right opportunity to take him down.”

Font: MMA Junkie

Thiago Silva vs. Stanislav Nedkov targeted for UFC on FUEL TV 6 in Macau

admin — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:16:48 +0000

Light heavyweights Thiago Silva (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and Stanislav Nedkov (12-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) appear headed to UFC on FUEL TV 6.

A source close to one of the fighters told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the matchup is targeted for the Nov. 10 event, which takes place at Venetian Macau Resort Hotel’s Cotai Arena in Macau, a special administrative region of China.

It’s not yet known whether the bout is part of the event’s main card on FUEL TV or prelims on Facebook.

Sherdog first brought word of the pending fight.

For Nedkov, a confirmed bout is a long time coming. The Bulgaria native’s most recent appearance came this past August at UFC 134, when he stopped the hard-hitting Luis Cane with strikes in the first round, which improved his resume to 12-0. He has finished all but two of his opponents and also holds notable wins over Kevin Randleman and Travis Wiuff.

Nedkov was scheduled to appear at UFC 142 in a bout against Fabio Maldonado, but visa problems forced him to withdraw.

Silva enters the fight with his back firmly against the wall. The Brazilian slugger recently returned to the cage after a year-plus layoff due to a failed drug test and was soundly outpointed by Alexander Gustafsson at UFC on FUEL TV 2.

Previously, Silva dominated Brandon Vera to earn a decision win at UFC 125. But the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended and fined him for submitting a fake urine sample in a post-fight drug test.

After an impressive four-fight win streak in the octagon, Silva has gone 1-3 with losses to Lyoto Machida (by knockout) and Rashad Evans (by decision).

For more on UFC on FUEL TV 6, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

Thiago Silva’s Picture Gallery

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:39:16 +0000

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Thiago Silva vs. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua likely at UFC 149 in Calgary

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:14:37 +0000

Some hard-hitting Brazilians will ply their trade on Canadian soil.

Sources close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that light heavyweights Thiago Silva (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (20-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) have agreed to meet at UFC 149 in Calgary, Alberta.

UFC president Dana White today tweeted the Silva vs. Rua matchup but didn’t reveal a date for it. MMAjunkie.com later confirmed the targeted event.

UFC 149 takes place July 21 at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome. The main card airs on pay-per-view, and FX and Facebook are expected to carry the prelims. Silva vs. Rua likely will be part of the PPV lineup, which – as MMAjunkie.com first reported – will feature a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo (21-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and challenger Erik Koch (13-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC).

Silva recently returned from a 15-month layoff (due to a drug suspension) and suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Alexander Gustafsson in this month’s UFC on FUEL TV 2 headliner. Since opening his UFC career with a 4-0 mark, the Brazilian is just 1-3, which included a UFC 125 victory over Brandon Vera that was overturned to a no-contest.

Rua recently saw his UFC record fall to .500 with a hard-fought, “Fight of the Year” decision loss to Dan Henderson back in November at UFC 139. The 2006 PRIDE grand-prix champion won the UFC light-heavyweight title from Lyoto Machida in 2010 but lost it to reigning champion Jon Jones in early 2011.

Combined, Silva and Rua have posted 28 knockouts in 34 career wins.

For more on UFC 149, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

Source: MMAjunkie.com, by Dann Stupp and John Morgan

UFC on FUEL TV 2 results and LIVE fight coverage for ‘Gustafsson vs Silva’ on April 14 in Sweden

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:55:24 +0000

The drought is almost over, Maniacs.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back in action this weekend from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, featuring UFC on FUEL TV 2: “Gustafsson vs. Silva” on April 14, 2012.

UFC on FUEL TV 2 features native son Alexander Gustafsson in the headlining bout taking on Brazilian bomber Thiago Silva, who returns from his steroid suspension to replace the injured Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Other bouts booked for the overseas event include Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara (Middleweight) and Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada (Welterweight).

Remember that because of the difference in time zones, Saturday’s show begins promptly at 12:30 p.m. ET live on Facebook with the televised main card kicking things off on FUEL TV at 3 p.m. ET. For more information on how (and when) to watch click here.

Below is the finalized UFC on FUEL TV 2 fight card and line-up:

Main Event:

205 lbs.: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Thiago Silva

Main Card (FUEL TV):

185 lbs.: Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara
170 lbs.: Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
135 lbs.: Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page
145 lbs.: Dennis Siver vs. Diego Nunes
170 lbs.: DaMarques Johnson vs. John Maguire

Preliminary Card (Facebook):

145 lbs.: Jason Young vs. Eric Wisely
170 lbs.: Papy Abedi vs. Jam

MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night (Sat., April 14), which is slated to air at 3 p.m. ET on FUEL TV. The latest quick updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 12:30 p.m. ET with the preliminary bouts on Facebook.

For all the latest and greatest news and notes for UFC on FUEL TV 2 click here.

205 lbs.: Cyrille Diabate vs. Tom DeBlass
185 lbs.: Francis Carmont vs. Magnus Cedenblad
170 lbs.: Besam Yousef vs. Simeon Thoresen
155 lbs.: Yoislandy Izquierdo vs. Reza Madadi

For all the latest and greatest news and notes for UFC on FUEL TV 2 click here

Source: mmamania.com,By Jesse Holland (April 9, 2012)

UFC on Fuel TV 2: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Thiago Silva Preview

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:16:02 +0000

Alexander Gustafsson seems to be the uncrowned third contender in the UFC’s light heavyweight, according to many MMA fans, but I’m not so sure that this fight is in any way a certainty. I think people have forgotten how much of a beast Thiago Silva is at this point.

Silva has only lost twice in his UFC career, and those losses were to light heavyweight top contender Rashad Evans, in which Thiago had a bad back injury coming in, and to former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.

Silva is a tough, durable and strong light heavyweight who, at 205 pounds, is capable of knocking out any man. Admittedly, Thiago Silva is a huge question mark at this point, but if he is healthy his powerful punches could spell a short night for the “Mauler.”

Alexander Gusafsson is a rising prospect in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. His only loss in the UFC was a submission loss to Phil Davis. Since then he has rattled off an impressive winning streak, most recently knocking out tough veteran Vladimir Matyushenko in the first round.

Prediction

It seems to me that ever since Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was replaced by Thiago Silva, there has been a significant amount of the MMA fan base that has awarded Alexander Gustafsson the victory already. There are even people who feel he is the third in line to fight Jon Jones after Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson.

In part, I understand the mentality, seeing that Gustafsson had the winning streak, Silva had a long layoff and Gustafsson has his height, which could be seen as an advantage as well.

Something tells me everyone is overlooking Thiago Silva. Not to say that Alexander Gustafsson won’t get a title shot in the near future, but in this fight I think Thiago will come out aggressively, take the center of the Octagon and put pressure on Gustafsson that he won’t be able to deal with.

I see Thiago Silva winning this fight by knockout.

Source: bleacherreport.com,By Michael Evans(April 7,2012)

Thiago Silva takes out Keith Jardine in the Knockout of the Week

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:39:52 +0000

After a year-long suspension due to steroid use and submitting a synthetic urine sample, Thiago Silva will return against Alexander Gustaffson at UFC on Fuel 2 in Sweden. Since it’s been a while, here’s a reminder of what he can do.

With a left hook, Silva took out Keith Jardine. He lost to Rashad Evans and then had his win over Brandon Vera turned into a no-contest after the positive drug test. Will he start his post-suspension career with a win? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: sports.yahoo.com,By Maggie Hendricks (April 6, 2012)

After suspension, Thiago Silva starts over

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:52:48 +0000

STOCKHOLM – Thiago Silva has a lot to prove in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

After failing a drug test in early 2011 after altering his urine sample, sitting out a year due to the accompanying suspension, and now getting a slot in a UFC main event, Silva needs to prove to fans and UFC officials he’s worthy of his top billing at UFC on Fuel 2.

But more than anything, he needs to prove to himself that he’s the fighter he once was, he told MMAjunkie.com.

Silva (14-2 mixed martial arts, 5-2 UFC), a late replacement for injured Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC), meets fast-rising light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC on Fuel 2 headliner. The bout takes place in Gustafsson’s home country of Sweden at Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe Arena. The main card airs live on Fuel TV at 3 p.m. ET following prelims on Facebook at 12:30 p.m. ET.

The past 16 months have been full of highs and lows for Silva. He won a unanimous decision over Brandon Vera at UFC 125 in January 2011, but failed his post-fight drug test after submitting a synthetic urine sample. Silva said he was injured heading into the fight and had injections of banned substances put into his ailing back.

Despite his admission, the Nevada State Athletic Commission offered no leniency, and Silva was shut down with a year-long suspension and $33,750 fine.

But he sees the silver lining.

“It’s been a hard time, but I used the time off to take care of my body and take care of my injuries and recover,” he today told MMAjunkie.com. “I’m much better right now because I’m 100% healthy. And that’s the most important thing.”

Although previously slated to fight on UFC on Fuel 3 in May, Silva was moved up to the Gustafsson bout when Nogueira was hurt in training. It’s a main-event fight in a new country against the division’s fastest-rising prospect in Gustafsson.

Silva relishes the opportunity.

“I’ve very excited,” he said. “I haven’t fought for one year, and right now, I’m back in a main event. I’m very grateful. It means a lot to me and especially because of this. Like I said, after one year, I come back into a main event.”

he’s no stranger to adversity or self-preservation. Silva ran away from an abusive home when he was 14 and lived in Brazil’s slums until he found mixed martial arts, which led to a pro career.

He knows the failed drug test was a big and very public setback – one that seemingly derailed all the progress he’s made in the UFC. After all, his only career losses have come to Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans, former champs.

But he’s essentially starting from scratch, and he needs to prove his title worthiness not only to the sport’s fans, but also to himself. So who’s he really fighting for on Saturday?

“It’s a hard question,” he said. “I think I’m a tough guy. I’m trying to get my (standing) back. I don’t want to be stupid and say I’m top 10 or this or that. I can’t judge myself, so I’m here to do my job and prove myself again.

“But I think it’s more for me than the fans. I want to be the best fighter in the world. It’s personal.”

Source: tucsoncitizen.com ,ByJohn Morgan and Dann Stupp,(April 11,2012)

MMA Crossfire – UFC on FUEL: Gustafsson vs Silva predictions

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:08:23 +0000

Hometown hero Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson gets his chance to make Sweden proud as he takes on Brazilian Thiago Silva at UFC Live: Gustafsson vs Silva Saturday in Stockholm, Sweden.

The young Swede is riding a 4-fight win streak, while Silva is returning from a year-long suspension for tampering with his UFC 125 urine sample. It resulted in his victory over Brandon Vera being turned into a no-contest.

One thing is for certain: Gustafsson will have an entier nation in his corner.

Welcome back to The Crossfire.

MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman checks in with her thoughts on the main card:

Cassie is a mixed martial artist with over five years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, she has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. A proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland, she files for The Crossfire having recently returned from South Korea. She also blogs for Postmedia Networks’ Womens Fight Club website.

UFC LIVE: GUSTAFSSON VS SILVA

Damarques “Darkness” Johnson (18-9-0) vs. John Maguire (17-3-0)

Wiseman: Anytime a fighter goes up against a wrestler the first question has to be whether or not they can stuff a takedown. For the wrestler, he/she has to question the ground game of their opponent. In this particular matchup, Johnson is a very skilled grappler which will eliminate any distance. Johnson can use this to wear down the gas tank of Maguire, making him resort to what he does best: Wrestling. To make this match even more interesting, Maquire also has a ground game, but not a strong enough ground-and-pound game. This fight will certainly entertain the fans, but it’s merely going to be a chess match where each fighter is at a loss as to how to finish. Maquire being the more diverse fighter will be able to score enough to satisfy the judges, but Johnson will certainly make it a challenge.

Wiseman Prediction: John Maguire vía decisión.

Dennis Siver (19-8-0) vs. Diego “The Gun” Nunes (17-2-0)

Wiseman: It’s not a normal fight for Siver if he isn’t fighting against an opponent with a reach advantage and this match is no different. Nunes will be able to use his striking ability of firing while moving backwards to do damage. The speed and kicks of Siver will test Nunes making this a standup match one where each fighter is evenly matched. Entertaining yes, but neither fighter has enough of an edge over the other for a finish.

Wiseman Prediction: Diego “The Gun” Nunes via decision.

Paulo Thiago (14-3-0) vs. Siyar “The Great” Bahadurzada (20-4-1)

Wiseman: It’s no secret Thiago continues to improve. He came on the scene with submission attempts and is now developeing his standup game. Bahadurzada being predominately a standup fighter,will be a suitable test for Thiago’s new standup abilities. Bahadurzada is still the more technical and superior striker though. leaving Thiago to do what he does best, take a limb off.

Wiseman Prediction: Thiago via submission.

“All-American” Brain Stann vs. Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara

Wiseman: This is going to be a standing war, especially in the beginning of the fight. Sakara is the technical striker and always dangerous with his combinations so he will test the chin of Stann. What Sakara needs to be weary about is Stann testing his chin. Another thing to keep in mind is the level of fighters that Stann has fought in his UFC career (Phil Davis, Chris Leben, Jorge Santiago and Chael Sonnen). Sakara hasn’t come close to such a level of opponent, until now This will definitely be the biggest test of Sakara’s career, but for Stann it will just be another fighter that he introduces to his fists.

Wiseman Prediction: “All-American” Brian Stann via TKO.

MAIN EVENT

Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson (13-1-0) vs. Thiago Silva (14-2-0, 1 NC)

Wiseman: With Silva just coming off an extensive period outside the octagon everyone is wondering if “ring rust” will be a factor. Gustafsson, on the other hand, has risen quickly up the rankings, showing that he is a finisher regardless of who he steps inside the octagon against. Both fighters have KO power in their hands, so it’s all about who will connect first. Gustafsson with the reach and speed advantage will certainly be the first to put Silva’s return to the test. Silva has been known for his standup slugfest, but over a course of time he has become predictable. The youthful Gustafsson will show once again the importance of evolving and being unpredictable.

Wiseman Prediction: Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson via TKO.

kandrews@postmedia.com

cwmmacrossfire@gmail.com

Source: montrealgazette.com By Kenia Andrews and Assie Wiseman (April 11,2012)

UFC on Fuel TV 2 Predictions: Fan’s Take

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:46:01 +0000

By: sports.yahoo.com

After taking a long break, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will return on April 14, with the “UFC on Fuel TV 2″ fight card. The event will be held at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Here are my predictions for the entire “UFC on Fuel TV 2″ fight card:

Alexander Gustafsson versus Thiago Silva

Gustafsson will certainly have his hands full, when he faces Thiago at “UFC on Fuel TV 2.” With a 5-1 record in the UFC, Gustafsson’s future looks bright, but I’m not sure he’s ready for the likes of Thiago. Silva has more experience against top level fighters, and that’ll probably be enough to get him past Gustafsson’s home-crowd advantage. Thiago Silva wins via TKO.

Brian Stann versus Alessio Sakara

Stann ran into some problems in his last fight against Chael Sonnen, but things should go a lot better for him at “UFC on Fuel TV 2.” Like Stann, Sakara likes to stand and trade. And fans should be in for an entertaining fight. Unfortunately for Sakara, he doesn’t typically do well against heavy-handed guys, shifting the odds in Stann’s favor. Stann wins via TKO.

Paulo Thiago versus Siyar Bahadurzada

After knocking out Josh Koscheck in his UFC debut, Thiago has been inconsistent inside the Octagon, losing three of his last six fights. He’ll get to welcome Bahadurzada at “UFC on Fuel TV 2,” and it certainly won’t be an easy fight. Bahadurzada is the better striker, but Thiago is the better ground fighter. Thiago should be able to take the fight to the ground, and utilize his superior ground skills. Thiago wins by decision.

Dennis Siver versus Diego Nunes

Siver was a beast at 155, and I expect him to be even better in the featherweight division. As long as the cut to 145 goes well, I expect him to fight his way to title contention pretty quickly. Siver wins by decision.

DaMarques Johnson versus John Maguire

Maguire will try to stretch his current win streak to seven, when he faces Johnson at “UFC on Fuel TV 2.” Johnson is the superior striker, but he typically struggles against solid grapplers. Maguire happens to be just that, and his takedowns looked pretty good in his UFC debut against Justin Edwards. Maguire should be able to take the fight to the ground and keep it there. Maguire wins by decision.

Brad Pickett versus Damacio Page

Both fighters are coming off loses, and motivation shouldn’t be a problem when they meet inside the Octagon. Pickett is a little more rounded, and things should go his way if he takes the fight to the ground. Pickett wins by submission.