Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt Claudio Silva eyes a successful campaign next year after suffering a loss in 2020.
Brazilian welterweight Claudio Silva did not have the best moment of his career in 2020. Although the jiu-jitsu blackbelt made only one Octagon appearance this year, it was one that snapped a five-fight UFC winning streak for himself, when he dropped a unanimous decision to James Krause in October.
A member of the UFC’s roster since 2014, Silva lost four years of his career due to lingering injuries that prevented him from being more active. However, ‘Hannibal’ plans to make up for the time lost in the coming years, starting with 2021. In an interview with Combate, Claudio revealed his intention to fight four times in the next 12 months.
“I’ll score four wins (in 2021). I want to fight a lot, be back in March. I’m controlling my weight, I don’t plan to go over the line, which is what used to happen when I didn’t have a fight booked. I was able to make weight, but dieting was the big issue. I’ll be very focused, I’m thirsty for victory. I want to fight again. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to recover my win streak. It’ll be a different Hannibal, more professional. It’s going to be a better year than 2020.”
Currently living in London, England, Hannibal believes it is time to change camps in order to shake things up and get himself out of the comfort zone. Once he is able to safely travel again, Claudio wants to return to Florida and have a camp with American Top Team, where Silva feels like he will be able to learn more techniques from their extensive team.
“I want to go back to America. I’m waiting for them to give me a fight so I can return in January. ATT is the best place to train. I just don’t have the same structure and professionalism in London. When you’re there, you learn new stuff just by breathing. I want to have my camp there, I can’t see myself with any other team. It’s my home. I pretty much trained on my own for my last fight. I didn’t have Conan Silveira and Parrumpinha to train me.”
Before his defeat to James Krause, Silva (14-2) was on a five-fight winning streak in the UFC, with victories over Brad Scott, Leon Edwards, Nordine Taleb, Danny Roberts and most recently, in August 2019, Cole Williams. The 38-year-old’s last three wins have all come by way of submission.