Antonio Silva Is Ready for the Strikeforce Elite

After a loss to Fabricio Werdum last November, Antonio Silva wasn't sure what was next for him and his career. 

Fast forward six months to this past Saturday night and now Silva has a win over Andrei Arlovski, and he is poised to take on the top-ranked fighters in Strikeforce. Silva kept Arlovski off balance for the duration of the fight, and he picked up the unanimous decision win.

"I felt good coming into the fight," Silva said. "I knew what I wanted to do against Andrei, and I did it. This is a very good win for me."

While Arlovski isn't nearly the fighter he was just a few years ago, he's still a dangerous striker. It was thought that training with acclaimed coach Greg Jackson would help Arlovski regain the top form he held as the UFC Heavyweight champion in 2005. 

However, Silva was able to neutralize Arlovski's stand-up game, as well as get him on the ground several times. 

"He [Arlovski] didn't move very much," Silva said. "He went straight back, so it was easy to attack him. I would have liked to end the fight, but I'm still very happy with this win."

Silva could very well face Brett Rogers in his next fight, although no fight has been announced yet.

"Brett is a good fighter, but he had a rough night," Silva said when asked about Rogers. "I don't know what he'll want to do next, but I'd be happy to fight against him."

"I'm completely healthy after this fight. I have no injuries at all. I could fight again tonight if I needed to, but I'll take the next couple months to train. I'll come back better than ever in my next fight."

Silva has been a champion before, and he's motivated to become a champion again. He's still at least one or two fights away from fighting for the title, but that won't deter him in his journey back to the top.

"To be the best in the world is the goal," Silva said after the fight. "I want to be a champion again. I won't stop until I win the belt, and bring it back to Brazil."

Until his next fight is announced, expect the big Brazilian to spend his time away from the gym watching the world's biggest sporting event, the World Cup.

"Yes, I'm very excited for the World Cup," Silva said. "Brazil all the way, for sure! I'm a huge fan, I love it. I'll be watching very closely, but Brazil will emerge as the champions. They are the best in the world."

With continued performances like the one he had on Saturday night, it may only be a matter of time before Antonio Silva is fighting for a title, and the chance to be called the best in the world like his countrymen in the world's game. 

To read more by Jesse Motiff, click here .