Jean Silva lost his original opponent, but not his place in the featherweight title picture. Silva welcomes short-notice replacement Jose Delgado in the main event of Noche UFC on Saturday from Glendale, Arizona. Silva (17-3) agrees with oddsmakers who have him as a four-to-one favorite against Delgado, replacing Yair Rodriguez.
He believes "it will look easy." His assuredness doesn't come from arrogance, especially against an outspoken opponent, but from his preparation. Beating Rodriguez would've done more for his quest to challenge for the featherweight title, but Silva doesn't think the change in opponent changes his destiny. I am sure that I'm next," Silva, using a Portuguese interpreter, told CBS Sports when asked if beating Delgado would earn him a title shot.
FC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year! Silva's certainty comes from a deep-rooted ambition.
He has a reputation for being emotional. You see it inside the Octagon as he madly barks and snarls after a victory. You also saw it in a behind-the-scenes video for UFC 324, where he soaked the UFC championship in tears while pressing his head against it during a promotional shoot.
Silva doesn't hide away from those feelings. He believes they will allow him to fulfill a UFC championship dream shared with his friends on the training mats. If you see a few years ago, I was a crazy guy with a dream.
Now, I believe my craziness is bringing me to this moment," Silva said. " I just saw one of my best friends lose on 'Contender Series.' This dream is for a few guys. So I put my emotions into this." Delgado (12-2) is saying all the right things ahead of his short-notice main event.
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