Quinton Jackson, Chuck Liddell, and Keith Jardine are all
fighters that Wanderlei Silva has faced since returning to the UFC. They are
also all light heavyweight fighters that, when they are not fighting, walk
around well above the 205-pound limit of the weight class.
What weight does Silva walk around at outside of the
Octagon?
Try 208 pounds.
It's no surprise then that "The Axe Murderer's"
recent UFC record is 1-2 against that cast of characters. He doesn't pawn off
his losses to the disparity in size, though.
"I think it is the technique," Silva told
MMAWeekly.com, saying that he lowered his hand against Jackson at UFC 92
and the former UFC light heavyweight champion took advantage.
He does realize, however, that contrary to popular belief
size does matter. He's ready to drop down and see if he is a fit in the
middleweight division.
"Yeah, I could try because every guy in my division
have to cut to 205 and my normal is 208. I'm going to test now... I'm going to
cut my weight. Maybe I go to fight in my next fight at 185," says Silva.
Always toeing the company line, he's not ready to make a permanent move,
adding, "I could fight in both divisions; I could fight 185 and 205."
It's not something that he jumped into overnight. Silva has
been talking about 185 for a long time, but it looks like the UFC is ready for
the move, too. "I've been lots and lots of thinking about this now, I see
what (UFC president) Dana (White) wants. What he wants (me) to fight, no
problem. I talk with (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva and... say no problem, I'm down
for 185? He say, no problem."
Talking with the famed Brazilian knockout artist, there is a
sense that whatever comes his way next, he has finally broken in his new house
and made it a comfortable home with the UFC.
"In three fights in UFC, I had all places. I lose one
hard fight with Chuck, I beat one guy so fast, one guy beat me, it's too much
experience," relayed Silva. "I'm thinking now I have much more
lessons for to give my fighters."
Now it's just a matter of time. Despite the onslaught of UFC
events in the near term, it appears Silva will be making final preparations for
his next bout in the sizzling summer heat at his new gym in Las Vegas.
He's anxious to step back in the Octagon, though his
five-year-old son is reaping the benefits of dad's down time. Silva finds
himself playing with his son in the morning instead of having to go straight to
the gym.
"My life is fighting. I love to fight. Now I wake up in
the morning and... where am I going? I play with my son," he says with a
grin on his face, but his eyes belying the call of his chosen profession.
"My work is training. I need to train. Now I want to
train more," he commanded. " I don't know what plans the UFC, but I
am ready for to fight in June or July."
WANDERLEI SILVA
VIDEO INTERVIEW ON THE MOVE TO 185
WANDERLEI SILVA'S
PERSONAL VIDEO TOUR OF HIS NEW GYM
