As Antonio "Big Foot" Silva continues to ride his huge win over Alistair Overeem at UFC 156, he now believes it puts him in the running for the heavyweight championship. The current champion, Cain Velasquez, defeated Silva in their only encounter last year."I am highly interested in facing Cain Velasquez again," said Silva to MMA Junkie. "He's a great champion. When we first faced off, I didn't get much of a chance to fight. He had the right strategy. I wasn't having any success."
After Velasquez dropped his heavyweight title, he met Silva at UFC 146 this past May. Early in the fight, Velasquez took Silva to the ground and cut him open above the eye. The fight was paused so a doctor could look at the gash. The doctor gave the all clear and within a few minutes, the referee stopped the fight after Silva didn't respond to any of Velasquez's shots.
Silva's recent win knocked Overeem out of the No. 1 contender spot. The next name to challenge for the title hasn't been disclosed.
Silva wants to show that his first encounter with Velasquez wasn't him at his best.
"I was left knowing I could have done better," said Silva. "I have nothing personal against Velasquez."
After Velasquez dropped his heavyweight title, he met Silva at UFC 146 this past May. Early in the fight, Velasquez took Silva to the ground and cut him open above the eye. The fight was paused so a doctor could look at the gash. The doctor gave the all clear and within a few minutes, the referee stopped the fight after Silva didn't respond to any of Velasquez's shots.
Silva's recent win knocked Overeem out of the No. 1 contender spot. The next name to challenge for the title hasn't been disclosed.
Silva wants to show that his first encounter with Velasquez wasn't him at his best.
"I was left knowing I could have done better," said Silva. "I have nothing personal against Velasquez."