Thiago Silva is 13-0 in his professional Mixed Martial Arts career.
With four bouts in the UFC, Silva, a San Paulo, Brazilian native, and a former member of one of the greatest camps of all time, Chute Boxe, is quickly climbing the ladder of the stacked Light Heavyweight division.
Funny, I know, that a former Chute Boxe member named Silva is climbing the ranks of the MMA world.
Without any of those fights going to a third round, Silva has looked impressive in his last four fights. He has actually only been pushed into a third round once, which resulted in the only decision of his pro career.
Silva is the stereotypical Chute Boxe product— a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who has above average Muay Thai. His striking is crisp, technical and extremely dangerous. His BJJ is just as good, making Silva one of the most dangerous men to fight.
Silva has stopped Houston Alexander, James Irvin, Thomasz Drwal, and his latest victim, Antonio Mendes.
Silva was the guy the UFC organization tapped to see if Houston Alexander was the real deal. The fight was short lived, ending at the 3:25 mark of the first round. Silva controlled most of the fight and once it hit the ground, it was over. Silva eventually got the mount and pounded out Alexander.
It’s time Silva gets a chance to prove he’s ready for a bigger and better future. It's time Joe Silva gives him a top tier guy at 205. I'm not saying Thiago Silva is ready for a title shot, but I do think it's time he steps up in the competition.
So, who would fit the bill? There a several guys that would be a good match-up and an interesting test for Silva.
Jardine verses Silva? This would be a chance for Keith Jardine to beat an upcoming guy and prove that Wand would have destroyed anybody that stepped in the cage that night. If Silva beats Jardine then he moves up again and gets a shot at a guy like Machida, Wand or Liddell.
Rashard Evans would also be a good match-up for Silva. It definetly would be Evans biggest test to date. We would see how good Evans Jiu-Jitsu is.
I would also, be intrigued to see a Silva versus Sokudjou. It would be interesting to see if Soku could handle Silva on the ground. Some say “no” and it would end in either Silva pounding Soku out or submitting him.
Whoever the opponent is, it's time to give Silva a chance to step up and be the player to beat in the Light Heavyweights.
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4 months ago
Irvin isn't fighting Evans anymore. Irvin got injured in training.
Evans vs Silva and Sok vs Silva would intrigue me the most at this time as T. Silva's next fight.
from 4 months ago
It was an editing goof, but good catch.
4 months ago
yeah i would go with silva in either the evans or sok fights. the evans fight would be the closest, being that evans has a strong wrestling background. i think sok would get taken down and like you said submitted or tko'd. good article, thiago and wilson gouvia are my dark horses in the lhw's.
4 months ago
is it just me or does silva always genuinely looked pissed off before, during, and after fights?
he just seems like the kind of guy that wants to hurt people. Ill watch him fight anybody.
from 4 months ago
He does always look pissed, and thats one of the reasons I like him. I also really like the the slit-throat motion, kinda Hokey but he does have that serial Killer look in his eyes.
4 months ago
I actually want to see Thiago vs Machida. Silva is a big, scary dude. A 13-0 BJJ blackbelt with 10 wins by ko/tko. I think he has a lot of potential.
He was in a bit of trouble in his last fight, but recovered nicely. I think he fights better when he's angry. His weakest fight to date was against Drwal. He did not look very expressive and got tired in the second round.
But I think he has a solid future ahead of him. I would favour him over Jardine, Soko, and Evans. I want to see how he would handle a counter puncher like Liddell or Machida, or a tough wrestler/striker like Rampage and Hendo. Keep your eyes on this man.
from 4 months ago
In my opinion Machida should be the #1 contender already but if they did fight and Lyoto won he would HAVE to get a title shot after beating Silva.
He and Hendo would be good but isn't Hendo still at 185? Thats were Hendo should stay, we don't need more guys mucking up an already cloudy title picture at 205.
Rampage might have trouble with him since he is very similar to the Wand. but who knows, maybe Rampage has been working on his clinch.
Whoever he gets next I want to see him take on ANYBODY top ten.
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