Fabian Edwards has solely misplaced twice prior to now 4 years, a pair of title bouts to Johnny Eblen in Bellator and PFL. Josh Silveira, who stands throughout the cage from Edwards in a event semifinal match Friday at PFL 7, was the person liable for emulating him in Eblen’s camps at American Prime Group in Florida.
“I used to be him,” Silveira instructed MMA Combating. “I used to be him in coaching for Johnny as a result of I’m additionally a southpaw. I perceive his type, I’ve already studied him quite a bit. If he thinks it’s going to be straightforward, that’s good for me. I like that. I do know I’m not a simple combat and I do know I’ll be able to battle.”
Regardless of taking part in the position of Edwards to assist Eblen twice in earlier years, Silveira believes he’s nothing just like the British fighter.
“It’s onerous to mimic him as a result of he doesn’t love to do takedowns, he doesn’t like placing stress,” Silveira mentioned. “I’m the kind of fighter that places stress. For Johnny, I imitated his kicks. He likes to attain factors, and solely occasionally he ends fights. However he doesn’t take you down and take your again, issues like that. I’ve seen loads of tape of him. He’s proficient, however I do know the trail to beat him.”
Silveira mentioned the undefeated Eblen helped him throughout camp with essential recommendation, and watching them each go to struggle contained in the cage confirmed the son of ATT chief Conan Silveira that Edwards “gave him an excellent combat, so I’ve to respect him.”
Having by no means opened as such a steep underdog oddswise earlier than in his profession, Silveira feels that places Edwards in a must-win scenario.
“Good identify, good fighter, semifinal, there’s quite a bit on the desk,” Silveira mentioned. “Once you have a look at my profession and his profession, he’s fought for the belt twice towards my workforce. He beat the man I misplaced twice to, so on paper there are some issues that possibly you say, ‘This man is best,’ however I don’t know, it’s nearly the identical.”
The winner of Silveira vs. Edwards advance to the $500,00 grand prix remaining towards whoever emerges from the Dalton Rosta vs. Aaron Jeffery matchup, which takes place the identical evening in Chicago.
“We’ve reached a degree the place the fights will at all times be onerous,” Silveira mentioned. “Get that concept out of your head that you simply’ll have a simple combat. That doesn’t occur anymore. The distinction now’s that I do know the place I’m at in my life and the way necessary this second is for me. I’ve to go there and do my job. I’ll really feel careworn, I’ll really feel nervous, however that’s a part of the work. I’m prepared for this.”
“On paper, you’re purported to beat me,” he continued. “On paper, you’ll win, however preventing doesn’t work like that. I’ve seen many issues on paper don’t come to actuality. On the finish of the day, I’ve a ton of respect for him and his household. His brother [Leon Edwards] was additionally a champion, they’ve made some noise in England and symbolize the nation very nicely. I respect him, however I’ve seen my workforce beat him.”
Except for Eblen, the one males in a position to crack Edwards’ sport have been Costello van Steenis and Austin Vanderford, each through resolution again in 2020 and 2021. Silveira sees similarities between Fabian’s type and brother Leon Edwards’—the previous UFC welterweight champion who faces a protracted street to get again on observe after two lopsided defeats to Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady.
“They’re good once they transfer ahead, they know methods to field and kickbox, however they don’t like being pressured,” Silveira mentioned. “I’ll put my stress to make him stroll backwards and discover my path. I’m a wrestler however I don’t at all times present that in my fights. Generally I stand and brawl, too. I’ve to go there and see what I’ll do, however I’ll undoubtedly stroll ahead and put stress.”
“Actually, I feel I’m a foul matchup for him,” he continued. “I’m a wrestler however I grew up in jiu-jitsu. If I find yourself on prime and take his again, I finish this combat with a submission. He’s been knocked out earlier than. I’ve an enormous chin—I haven’t been [knocked out] earlier than, thank God, and I’m not attempting to get on the twenty seventh, but when I’ve to get my chin there and commerce with him, I’ll. It’s going to be an excellent present both approach.”
