• UFC 117

Silva spars 15 rounds then delivers Rampage warning

ESPN staff
July 17, 2010
Anderson Silva dominated Demian Maia in his last outing © UFC
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Anderson Silva has been doing 15 rounds of non-stop sparring in the build-up to his UFC 117 title showdown with Chael Sonnen.

Silva is currently training with former UFC light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida ahead of the August 7 clash, with Machida reportedly set to face Quinton Rampage Jackson in his next fight.

The bout has not been confirmed by the UFC but Silva was happy to discuss his compatriot's chances, predicting Jackson would be in for a very tough night.

"I expect Lyoto to train a lot and be able to apply his game," Silva told MMAlice.com. "I think that when we are well trained it becomes very difficult to fight against us.

"We have a different style than other fighters. Our games are more fluid. So it is difficult for any opponent to beat us. Quinton or any other opponent that faces us will face difficulties."

Sonnen is next up for Silva, and the Greco Roman wrestler has had plenty to say in the build-up to the fight, most notably mocking the Brazilian's jiu-jitsu black belt. Silva prefers to stay quiet, but Machida has warned that the champion is training harder than ever before.

"Today Anderson did 15 rounds, 10 stand-up, five on the ground. The fighter must be physically well conditioned to achieve this," he said. "Surely it will be another fight in which he will achieve great success."

Silva added: "Sonnen can say what he wants. The problem comes when we stand face to face. Many fighters have tried to promote in the wrong way, but when the Octagon door closed they found that it's not like they expected."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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