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With performance-enhancing drugs being hotly debated in the MMA community right now, it seems fitting that Thiago Silva (14-2 (1 NC)) is fighting for redemption at this weekend’s ‘UFC on Fuel TV 2’ event in Sweden.
For Silva, this fight is his first since his bout against Brandon Vera (12-5 (1 NC)) at UFC 125 in Las Vegas on January first 2011.
In that fight, he failed a post-fight drug test, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) discovered that the sample provided did not contain human urine but rather a urine adulterant.
The NSAC handed down a penalty of a one-year suspension, a financial penalty, and the result of the fight was changed to a no contest, three months after meeting Vera in the cage.
Silva did apologise to fans and the promotion, admitting that he had injections in his back and spine that “contained substances prohibited by the NSAC”, to treat herniated discs that he had carried from his fight with Rashad Evans one year earlier.
It has become common that a fighter trains and fights at times not feeling 100 percent, however the injury proved to be a professional burden for Silva, forcing him to have one year off between his Evans and Vera fights; and then face the 12-month suspension.
This weekend, Silva has nothing to lose, only everything to gain. He is fighting against up-and-comer Alexander ‘The Mauler’ Gustafsson (13-1) in his own hometown, the first time the UFC has ever held an event in Sweden.
Gustafsson is currently sitting at 5-1 in the UFC, only losing to an anaconda choke from Phil Davis (9-1) in April 2010 at UFC 112, and has shown competencies in finishing fights by way of submission and punches – either TKO or KO.
The Mauler’s last fight against veteran Vladimir Matyushenko (26-6) was at UFC 141, in December 2011, and only lasted one round. With this win under his belt, Gustafsson was certain of only one thing, which was to make sure he was on the card for Sweden.
While the original fight, which was set for Gustafsson versus Antonio Rogerio ‘Little Nog’ Nogueria (20-5), may have been preferred by the Swede, Silva should certainly prove to be difficult to overcome with powerful striking.
If Gustafsson goes to the ground, he can expect a higher graded fighter, although Silva is yet to win via a conventional submission – his only submission win is to strikes. He should pick the Swede on the ground, provided that he can outlive the standup.
While the odds would tell you different, Silva shouldn’t be counted out. He can provide the upset here and perhaps line himself up for another rematch with Vera, a fight that almost seemed possible earlier this year before Vera pulled out with injury.
It really comes down to how injury and the time out of the cage have affected Silva. A great performance and an impressive win should be enough to earn redemption among fans around the world.
UFC Sweden Gustafsson vs Silva on FUEL TV Sunday April 15. Prelims 2:30am and main card at 5am.
UFC Sweden Gustafsson vs Silva weigh-ins on FUEL TV Saturday April 14 at 12:00am
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