UFC Rio: Coaches Say Anderson Silva Is 'Motivated' for Yushin Okami

Prior to his title bout against Yushin Okami at UFC Rio, Anderson Silva has been preparing at X-Gym in Rio de Janeiro, where his coaches are confident in the Brazilian's abilities to walk away with a victory on Aug. 27. 

Coaches Rogerio Camoes and Josuel Distak spoke with TATAME.com and explained their strategy to ensure that Silva is focused and prepared ahead of his upcoming bout.

"We’ve started the interim’s training and we’ll do that until August, when Anderson will fight in UFC Rio, besides other athletes," Camoes said. 

The two competitors share a past with one another, as they competed at Rumble on the Rock in 2006 in a bout that saw Silva dominate his opponent until he landed an illegal upkick that awarded Okami with the victory. Ever since then, it has left Silva prepared to seek out revenge against the Japanese star. 

And there is not a more fitting opportunity than for Silva to relish the idea of exacting revenge on his foe than in his home country of Brazil. That event will feature some of the most prominent Brazilian fighters in mixed martial arts today including Anderson Silva, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. 

It is a bout that Distak said holds implications for not only Silva but for Okami, too.

"Both for Anderson and Okami, this being a rematch is really interesting, and it’s really important because he’s coming for a rematch, so he has a big responsibility to put on a good show in Brazil," he said. 

And it is this rematch that both coaches hold a lot admiration for Silva, which Camoes said he expects for both fighters to put a great performance, especially Okami. 

"Okami has to be on his best to fight in Brazil," Camoes said.

"It’d be tough on Okami, because Anderson is a lot motivated for it, he’ll be defending his country at home."