Erick Silva ‘excited’ for Bellator debut, will be ‘watching’ their welterweight tournament closely

Former UFC welterweight Erick Silva expects to have an experience edge of his opponent at Bellator

Former UFC welterweight Erick Silva will finally have his Bellator debut in a matter of a few days. Paired up against up-and-coming prospect Yaroslav Amosov for Bellator 216, the ‘Tiger’ expects to have an experience edge of his undefeataed albeit younger opponent.

A veteran of 15 Octagon appearances, Silva will try to make it two in a row after submitting Nick Barnes with an armbar back at LFA 45, in July 2018. It was a win that brought his record to a total of 20 victories in 30 matches, which the Brazilian believes will be the key for him to have his arm raised against Amosov.

“I’m excited and ready for my debut. I’m very focused and prepared for Amasov.” Silva told Bloody Elbow. “He never faced an experienced athlete, let’s see how he handles a situation like this. I’ll be ready for him. I believe that the most prepared, well trained and with the better strategy man will have their arm raised. I’m ready to see my arm raised in the end of the fight.”

Originally scheduled to take on fellow Octagon alumn Lorenz Larkin for his Bellator debut back at Bellator 207, Erick was forced out of the bout with an injury, but doesn’t rule out having another go at the ‘Monsoon’. In fact, landing at one of Bellator’s deepest weight classes — with talents such as Douglas Lima, Rory MacDonald, Andrey Koreshkov, Paul Daley and Michael Page floating around the top of the division — Silva claims he will have his eye on every single one of them as a way of staying prepared for any challenges that could come in the near future.

“My fight with Amosov will show how well I’m doing and how I fit into the division. I will be watching all of them just like I know they will all be watching my fight. That’s part of the game.”

Erick Silva is expected to take on Yaroslav Amosov at Bellator 216, on February 16, in Uncasville, Connecticut. The card will be headlined by a welterweight bout between Michael Page and Paul Daley.