Since losing to Lyoto Machida
at UFC 94 in 2009, UFC light heavyweight Thiago Silva had managed only one win
in the UFC. With two banned substance
suspensions to his credit, the Brazilian has seen two UFC wins overturned and
ruled “No Contest’ over the past two years.
On Saturday night in
Fortaleza, Brazil, after six months of inactivity due to an aforementioned
suspension, Silva defeated former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael
“Feijao” Cavalcante via first round knockout, effectively rejuvenating his
career.
Round one saw the Sao Paulo
natives meet in the Octagon without touching gloves. Silva had his usual stone-faced look of
determination, as UFC newcomer Feijao stood with a postured look of calm
confidence.
The opening bell sounded and
Cavalcante pressured early looking to land a powerful right hand. Silva backed away, and in the opening seconds
looked rigid and slow.
As the frame wore on, however,
Cavalcante’s pressure began to slow, and Silva’s momentum increased. Silva peppered Feijao with an assortment of
jabs and distracting leg kicks.
In a moment of pure
resilience, Feijao landed a wicked spinning-elbow that had Silva dazed and on
the retreat. Silva composed himself
after the elbow, and began working his range with a steady jab.
As Cavalcante became
increasingly winded, Silva upped the pressure on the 32-year-old. With only a couple minutes left, Silva
breaming with confidence motioned toward Cavalante to “bring it,” as he stalked
him to the back of the cage.
With a flurry of partially
blocked hooks, and one crushing right hand lead uppercut, Silva dropped an
exhausted Feijao to the canvas at 4:29 of the round, scoring his first knockout
victory since beating journeyman Keith Jardine at UFC 102 in 2009.
After the fight, an elated
Silva proclaimed his love for the hometown fans. Something he had not been able
to do since last fighting in Brazil in 2006, a year before making his UFC
debut.
“I’m very happy after six
years to be fighting in Brazil again with all this crowd around me,” said the
30-year-old.
When asked about the vicious
lead uppercut that ended the fight, Silva thanked his trainers for giving him
the confidence to succeed, “I have a great camp, I have a great manager, and
when I saw the opportunity, I just took it.” (Source)
