Bigfoot’s Manager Prefers More Fights Instead of Velasquez Rematch

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva

Antonio Silva's Manager Wants More Fights, Rather Than Title Shot

The UFC heavyweight title picture has been thrown into disarray.

That is because the obvious number one contender, Alistair Overeem, was knocked out last weekend by Antonio Silva at UFC 156.

Many suggest Daniel Cormier is the new number one contender to Cain Velasquez's heavyweight belt. The last Strikeforce heavyweight champion already has a fight booked with Frank Mir, though he has yet to actually fight in the UFC and the promotion is known to shuffle fighters’ opponents at times. However, both Cormier and Velasquez have stated they will not fight each other. The two fighters both train in San Jose, Calif. together as members of the esteemed American Kickboxing Academy team.

Fabricio Werdum has been on a roll, going 5-1 in his last six fights and winning both of his fights since returning to the UFC. However, Werdum is locked in as a coach for the second season of TUF: Brazil against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and the two are expected to fight in June.

Perhaps it is Silva, himself, who should fight for the belt next. Although he is only 2-2 in his last four fights with losses to Cormier and Velasquez, respectively, and his current two-fight win streak has come via knockout of the previously undefeated Travis Browne and the aforementioned Overeem.

On Wednesday, Silva’s manager, Alex Davis, told MMAfighting.com he would rather “Bigfoot” not head right back into another bout with the champion, but they will take the fight if it is what the UFC wants.

"Personally, I'd rather have him get some other fights before he fights Cain," Davis said in an email. "But it's up to the UFC, if they want him to go for the title, we cannot say no, either. But all is up in the air at the moment."

Not long after his UFC 156 win, Silva stated he likes the idea of a rematch with Velasquez. Davis is confident Silva (who he refers to as Junior) can win, whoever the opponent may be.

"Junior does not pick opponents," he said. "That has been his attitude forever. Personally, I like [Josh] Barnett, I like [Stefan] Struve. I think that Junior can beat any heavyweight in the world on a good day. If it's a rematch with Cain that's on the horizon, we are game also. The first fight with Cain, Junior made a small mistake in the beginning with that kick, I think [if it] was not for that, would have been a different fight altogether, so we are open to whatever the UFC wants for him."

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