33-year old heavyweight Antonio Silva recently picked up his first win inside the Octagon, stopping previously unbeaten Travis Browne with strikes in the opening round of their UFC on FX 5 fight. Now “Bigfoot” has his sights set on taking a major step up in the division by battling Alistair Overeem.
However, Overeem is currently suspended for a matter related to testosterone use though is expected to fight for the title as soon as he’s cleared for the clash. However, with the belt currently tied up in a December 29 tilt between Junior dos Santos-Cain Velasquez, Overeem might be forced to wait a few extra months if hoping to immediately compete for the championship.
Silva sees that gap as an opportunity to slide in and didn’t mince his words on the matter when recently asked about it.
“If Overeem really doesn’t want to have to wait for a fight after his suspension is up, I am here ready to welcome him. I respect him as an athlete. After all, he was K-1, DREAM and Strikeforce champion. But I am not worried about titles or belts right now,” said Silva in an interview with MMAJunkie. “Overeem is big and strong, but I know I can beat him. Even if (he) was created in the lab, I can beat him.”
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The big Brazilian’s last statement seems to refer to Overeem’s association with using performance enhancing drugs. “The Demolition Man” showed an elevated T:E ratio before a May meeting with Dos Santos and was subsequently suspended, and though he’d never tested positive prior to the slip, Overeem has been linked to steroids since bulking up from 205 pounds into the physical specimen he now is over a fairly short period of time.
Silva’s win over Browne improved his record to 17-4, adding to past wins over the likes of Andrei Arlovski and Fedor Emelianenko.
PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE
Source: http://www.fighters.com/10/26/antonio-silva-out-for-action-against-alistair-overeem
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