Joaquim Silva Is a Fan of the New Weight-Cutting Policy

Joaquim Silva spoke with MMAjunkie about his fight with Andrew Holbrook at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. See some highlights below:

On the new weight cutting policy: “With the new USADA anti-doping policies, if we’re fighting on a Saturday, we’re not allowed to show up on Tuesday of fight week more than eight percent above fight weight – I think that’s great. It makes things fair to all of those who trained their entire lives without any illegal shortcuts. I believe this will distill the quality of the fighters so only true athletes get in, keeping everyone else out. I think that going forward, people won’t have three-month fight camps. Fighters will have to keep their weight low and be ready at all times.”

On how he matches up with Holbrook: “I come from jiu-jitsu, as does he, but I feel I’m much more versatile and complete. Nowadays, I use my striking more than my ground game. I’m very comfortable on the feet.”

On his plan for the fight: “My fight against Andrew will be a clash of two grapplers. I’ll defend takedowns and punish him on the feet. I plan to wear him down and surprise him with my own takedowns so that I can put my superior jiu-jitsu into play. My jiu-jitsu is from Brazil. I have faith in my roots. I feel ours will be a very strategic bout. We’re both undefeated, but I’m very well trained. At the end of the day, I’m confident I’ll be victorious, and he’ll be tasting the bitter flavor of defeat for the first time.”