Strikeforce heavyweight Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (16-2) has already beaten his first opponent in the quarterfinals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament, handing the Russian the second straight loss of his career. Silva now awaits the winner of the Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum bout, which will hopefully take place sometime later this year.
Silva feels that he’ll be facing friend Overeem next, and Josh Barnett in the finals, which would suit him just fine.
Speaking to Sherdog.com, “Bigfoot” Silva says he has no problems with any other fighter in the sport except for Barnett, telling the website that he plans on closing “both of his eyes” if the two meet in the tournament finals.
“I’ve been fighting since 2004 and have never had any issues with another athlete, even the most stuck-up,” explained Silva. “Friendship, for me, is everything, but Josh is a weird guy, a guy who doesn’t greet you when you enter the elevator, doesn’t even say ‘good morning.’ It’s how he treats Brazilian fighters especially. It’s the same thing with [Barnett and] Werdum.
“But when [Barnett] sees Fedor, [UFC President] Dana White or [UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo] Fertitta, he runs to them and stays by their side all the time. He makes me sick. He’s the classic kiss-ass, a rude man …” added Silva. “I really want to face Barnett and I’ve already said I consider him a filthy person, even though he is a great fighter, and that I’ll beat him up and close both of his eyes.”
Silva also gives his unflattering opinion of Brock Lesnar’s recent withdrawal from his upcoming bout with Junior dos Santos at UFC 131 next month.