Interview with Daniel Da Silva Ahead of UFC Vegas 53

Fight Preview: 

Daniel Da Silva (11-2-0 0-1-0 UFC) is looking for his first win in the UFC as he takes on Francisco Figueiredo. A finisher at all costs, Da Silva has never seen the judges" scorecard in 13 career fights but lost by round two TKO in his debut against Jeff Molina. Da Silva always brings the fireworks and has a well-rounded skill set, with five career submissions and six KO/TKOs. 

Francisco Figueiredo (12-4-1 1-1-0 UFC) is looking to bounce back against Da Silva. After a successful UFC debut against Jerome Rivera in January of 2021, Figueiredo dropped a decision loss to Malcolm Gordon last July. The brother of champion Deiveson Figueiredo, Francisco has a ton of game himself but is most effective on the ground where he has seven career submissions. 

Interview with Daniel Da Silva:

Danny Podolsky:  How did this fight with Francisco Figueiredo come together and how has training been going?

Daniel Da Silva: I feel very well going into this fight with Francisco Figueiredo. I think I will finish this fight in the first round by either a TKO or a submission. Francisco is a tough opponent, but I think I will win this fight. 

Podolsky: You have a 100% finish rate to your name with 5 submissions and 6 TKO/KOS, while having never seen a decision. Is that your fighting style to go in there and get the finish?

Da Silva: I don’t like going to decisions; I prefer going for the kill and with this fight, I think it will be no different. I think I will be able to go in there and get the finish. I like finishing my fights because that leaves no doubt over a decision. I think with Francisco, my hands are a lot stronger so I think I will get that finish. 

Podolsky: Does it add motivation to you in fighting Francisco Figueiredo knowing that his brother Deiveson is the champion in your division and will be watching your fight?

Da Silva: Deiveson Figueiredo is a very good champion and I’m very happy he got his belt back since we are both from Brazil. I’m happy to be fighting Francisco because after I win I want to say to Deiveson that one day I will fight him in the future. 

Podolsky: Seeing as though both you and Deiveson are from Brazil, did it make you happy seeing him earn his belt back at UFC 270?

Da Silva: Yes, I’m very happy that Deiveson became the champion once again. He’s Brazilian and it’s very good because we now have four UFC champions with Charles [Oliveira], Glover [Teixeira], and Amanda [Nunes] as well. 

Podolsky: If all goes well and you beat Francisco Figueiredo how active would you like to be in 2022?

Da Silva: I would like to be very active and after I win this fight, I want to fight at the UFC event in Singapore in June. Glover Teixeira is defending his belt there and I would love to get on that card and fight a ranked opponent by the end of the year. 

Only time will tell how Da Silva does in his second UFC bout: tune in Saturday to find out!

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images