Machida and Thiago face-to-face at TATAME

By Guilherme Cruz

Photos Josh Hedges

 

The number of Brazilians in the UFC is so much that sometimes it’s inevitable that two of them cross - and this time, the similarities between them are impressive. After thirteen fights in their career, Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva remains unbeaten and have the same goal in mind: the UFC light-heavyweight belt. One of the most waited battles of UFC 94, which will happen on January 31, in Las Vegas, the two fighters accepted TATAME’s invitation and were face-to-face, and the result of the chat you will see below.

 

Thiago Silva asks Lyoto Machida

 

TS: We are both good on striking and on ground, how do you think it will be this fight? What’s your expectation?

 

LM: I think the fight will progress well like the face of MMA, it will have all the bases. It will have takedowns, much striking, I think we’ll do everything that exists in the MMA and the fight should take priority on top. I consider you a tough guy, but I think my technique on top is better, and I think the fight will have better progress on top.

 

TS: The game has narrowed and, unfortunately, two Brazilians are in the wall looking for the same goal... What do you think of facing a Brazilian and what will the public reaction?

 

LM: I think the fight is the most waited, because it will be two strong fighters and I see that as a professional. Today we fight in the same event, but we are Brazilian and each one maintains their flag above all. It is a fight listed to have a big audience because we are unbeaten and Brazilians, and I think the public wants to know who will be the best that day.

 

TS: I’m very aggressive and you’re the opposite, you like to play elusive... What do you expect? Will it be a good fight or slow?

 

LM: I think, therefore, it will be a great fight, our home game. You like to come, I like setbacks and this makes it an exciting fight. You like to hit a lot, I of setbacks, dodge a lot, and it will be a very tough fight and well matched.

 

TS: You have a karate style, and mine is the Muay Thai... What do you think of being two different styles, but two of striking? Which do you consider more effective standing?

 

LM: I think the two styles have much quality, but Muay Thai is more famous, it appears more and has more fighters in MMA. I believe in my karate style, not in any style, but on the one I practice with my family. I’m aware of what I’ll do, I’ve fought with Muay Thai guys, I know that is a strong art, but I know what I can do.

 

TS: You always work the psychological side in all your fights and that influences your opponent a lot... What do you expect to do knowing that I already know your game and that I’m ready for this?

 

LM: My psychological side is my training, knowing my power, but the important thing is winning. The psychological side is to render in the fight, not thinking about my opponent. I’m prepared to have a good income. I do this work, respect you, and I have no disagreements with you, but at the time the professional has to show who is the best.

 

TS: How can you do a high-level training for the UFC living in Belém?

 

LM: I can do my training here, even though I don’t have a formed team with name, but I have my team. I have people here in the region that train with me, and the guys have a lot of race, will, and always want to win. My family is here and this is my support, and fighting involves many factors - psychological, training... I believe very much in what I do here, but I have done several exchanges in other countries and I can train anywhere.

 

Lyoto Machida asks Thiago Silva

 

LM: What do you expect of this fight in technique terms and marketing?

 

TS: I think it will be a good fight. We are two technical guys, but in opposite games, different tactics. I think it will be a strategic fight, and is a good marketing, two Brazilians to kill themselves (laughs). I think that will be a fight more developed on standing, you’re from karate and I’m very well conditioned to fight on foot and on the ground... I’m prepared for everything.

 

LM: Do you consider me a tough opponent or do you think the UFC just created this image?

 

TS: You have your merit, if you weren’t good you wouldn’t be where you are today. You are a tough opponent... I wouldn’t say difficult, but tough. It will be a duel of unbeaten and this is part, the marketing is our and this is our curriculum, wanting or not. The marketing is complete.

 

LM: How is your training to face me?

 

TS: My training is perfect, with a very strong rhythm here at ATT. I’m very calm. Here the training is general, everyone trains with everyone. I will tell you that my best training is with (Antônio) “Bigfoot", we destroy ourselves together (laughs). It is that thing, when the training is strong the fight gets easier. I go inside, he helps me a lot, he’s my brother.

 

LM: How do you believe you can beat me?

 

TS: I don’t choose the way, if the fight is standing, the tramp will be on foot, if it goes to the ground, I do there, I don’t have much preference. I like to fight, no matter where.

 

LM: Fighting against Brazilians is bad, because we play for the same country... How do you see this?

 

TS: Saying that I like, I don’t, I didn’t want to face the guys from the same country as me, wanting or not is the same race, even more that you are a cool guy. But I’m there to work, you want the same thing as me, then it should win the best.

 

LM: You consider yourself a Top 10? Why?

 

TS: I consider myself a tough fighter that is in search of a title. Who has to consider isn’t me, is the public who watches and who understands. I consider myself a very good athlete, that trains committed and that dreams of being champion, but who am I to find myself among the Top 10...

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