LFA 106: Joshua Silveira vs Rafael Viana Main Event Fight Breakdown

LFA 106: Joshua Silveira vs Rafael Viana will be broadcasted worldwide on UFC Fight Pass on April 30^th, beginning at 9 PM (ET). The eight-fight event will take place at the Grand Hotel Casino & Resort in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Fighter Profiles

Joshua Silveira (4-0, 2-0 LFA) is an American Top Team affiliate with an ever-growing game. In recent weeks, he’s trained with the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Austin Vanderford, and Markus Perez. Since turning pro in 2019, Silveira has rattled off four consecutive highlight finishes. Including a head kick knockout at SFT 23, which earned him the promotion’s KO of 2020. The 28-year-old southpaw stands 6’1″ and throws heat, but his ground game is equally as feared. He’ll look to prove his top-prospect status with another finish at LFA 106.

Rafael Viana (6-1, 0-0 LFA) hasn’t competed since injuring his hand in an RFA title bout against Devin Clark in 2016. Prior to that, “Gaucho” had reigned victorious in his first five pro appearances (all finishes). The Brazilian native is a longtime trainee at Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Connecticut and a training partner of Glover Teixeira. Despite being 36 years old, Viana is young in terms of actual fights. Surely he will look to make a big statement in his return to action at LFA 106.

Joshua Silveira vs Rafael Viana Breakdown

Of the two of them, Silveira is far more free-flowing in his striking. Whereas Viana is looking to clinch and get the fight to the ground, all the while willing to eat shots as he closes distance. The Brazilian keeps a high guard and his attacks on the feet are pretty basic, but he does have power on his hands. Meanwhile, Silveira holds his hands lower while utilizing a wider stance out of the southpaw position. He also uses feints very effectively to set up other strikes.

Viana may have a difficult time enforcing his game plan due to Silveira’s wrestling background. He was a high school state champion as well as a Pac-12 conference champion in college. His easiest path to victory may be through striking, but Silveira could find success in the grappling department also.

Rafael Viana has a chance at LFA 106, but the likelihood of him winning decreases if the fight wears on past the opening round. His power dwindles mightily after the first few minutes of the contest. There will be a sizable speed disparity when these two are across from one another, and their altering stances only favors Silveira. The ATT trainee is methodical on the feet to go along with his heavy hands. One thing to note however is the extensive layoff taken by Viana. Five years is a long time to work on his game and improve, which makes it difficult to project how he’ll look at LFA 106. Still, from what we’ve seen it’s tough not to envision Silveira retaining his unbeaten record.

Who do you think will win in the LFA 106 main event between Joshua Silveira vs Rafael Viana? Leave your thoughts and prediction in the comment section! Check out the full eight-fight card below:

• Light Heavyweight: Joshua Silveira vs Rafael Viana
• Lightweight: Toninho Gavinho vs Terrance McKinney
• Bantamweight: Kyle Estrada vs Tyler Wilson
• Featherweight: Cheyden Leialoha vs Edwin Chavez
• Strawweight: Genia Goodin vs Kathyrn Paprocki
• Heavyweight: Trevor Wallace vs Bubba Grant
• Bantamweight: Mando Gutierrez vs William Elliott
• Welterweight: Ryan Charlebois vs Joseph Galaviz

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Featured Image Credits to LFA