Bzob
03-25-2003, 03:29 PM
PRIDE Middleweight Champion, Wanderlei Silva, held a press conference on March 17th. Wanderlei had a scuffle with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson following Jackson's March 16th PRIDE 25 match against Kevin Randleman. Silva had strong words for Jackson, who earned the right to challenge for the Middleweight Title via his win over Randleman.
PRIDE Fighting Championships: What did Jackson say to you in the ring?
Wanderlei Silva: I didn't understand very well because it was in English but I didn't like it. I'm the champion!
PRIDE: After seeing his fight, what do you think about Jackson's strength?
Silva: He's a very strong fighter but make no mistake, I'm going to knock him out. I don't think he's got enough guts to stand up and trade with me. I think it will be a good fight, maybe the best bout of the year. I'll be able to show everyone in the world that Chute Boxe's Muay Thai is the best in the world. That's IF he even gets in the ring. I'm not scared. I'll fight anyone.
PRIDE: You seemed furious at Jackson yesterday. Do you think that his attitude wasn't respectful enough regarding a PRIDE Champion?
Silva: Of course, he's a challenger. He should have more respect for the Champion. I'm going to KO him like Anderson Silva KO'd Carlos Newton yesterday.
PRIDE: How long will it take you to KO him?
Silva: Good question but the only thing I can say is that it will be a good fight.
PRIDE: When you first came to Japan this time, you said that your next fight would be around August. Has that changed since yesterday?
Silva: I would have liked to fight him there yesterday. I want to fight him as soon as possible but I'm still in rehabilitation. It will depend on what my doctor says. This will be a fight for honor. I will definitely KO him. I will prove that I'm the most aggressive fighter in the world.
PRIDE: Looking at all the fights yesterday, including Nogueira's loss, there was a strong feeling that anything can happen in PRIDE. Do you have any uneasy feelings about your future in PRIDE?
Silva: No. I'm confident in myself. That's why I train. I'm a professional. PRIDE is everything to me and I won't lose.
PRIDE: What did you think of last night's Heavyweight title match?
Silva: That really surprised me. The fight was completely at Fedor's pace. We've got some great heavyweight fighters in Chute Boxe Academy, too. I would definitely like to give them a shot at fighting Fedor. Assuerio Silva's 120 kilos and is a very strong fighter. Also, I think it would be good if PRIDE had an under-85 kilos weight class as well. There are a lot of good fighters in that class, including Anderson (Silva). They all train the same way I do and they are all very strong.
PRIDE: How long do you think it will take until Chute Boxe Academy fighters hold both PRIDE titles?
Silva: If you give us a shot at the Heavyweight title, (the Championship) will become Chute Boxe's. Murilo Ninja's brother, Shogun, weighs 94 kilos. I think that he will also fight for PRIDE.
PRIDE: Sakuraba has had a tough time since his losses to you. What do you think Sakuraba can do to turn it around?
Silva: Sakuraba fought well from the very beginning of the fight yesterday. It was just an unfortunate result. The only thing Sakuraba needs now is a little bit of good luck.
PRIDE Fighting Championships: What did Jackson say to you in the ring?
Wanderlei Silva: I didn't understand very well because it was in English but I didn't like it. I'm the champion!
PRIDE: After seeing his fight, what do you think about Jackson's strength?
Silva: He's a very strong fighter but make no mistake, I'm going to knock him out. I don't think he's got enough guts to stand up and trade with me. I think it will be a good fight, maybe the best bout of the year. I'll be able to show everyone in the world that Chute Boxe's Muay Thai is the best in the world. That's IF he even gets in the ring. I'm not scared. I'll fight anyone.
PRIDE: You seemed furious at Jackson yesterday. Do you think that his attitude wasn't respectful enough regarding a PRIDE Champion?
Silva: Of course, he's a challenger. He should have more respect for the Champion. I'm going to KO him like Anderson Silva KO'd Carlos Newton yesterday.
PRIDE: How long will it take you to KO him?
Silva: Good question but the only thing I can say is that it will be a good fight.
PRIDE: When you first came to Japan this time, you said that your next fight would be around August. Has that changed since yesterday?
Silva: I would have liked to fight him there yesterday. I want to fight him as soon as possible but I'm still in rehabilitation. It will depend on what my doctor says. This will be a fight for honor. I will definitely KO him. I will prove that I'm the most aggressive fighter in the world.
PRIDE: Looking at all the fights yesterday, including Nogueira's loss, there was a strong feeling that anything can happen in PRIDE. Do you have any uneasy feelings about your future in PRIDE?
Silva: No. I'm confident in myself. That's why I train. I'm a professional. PRIDE is everything to me and I won't lose.
PRIDE: What did you think of last night's Heavyweight title match?
Silva: That really surprised me. The fight was completely at Fedor's pace. We've got some great heavyweight fighters in Chute Boxe Academy, too. I would definitely like to give them a shot at fighting Fedor. Assuerio Silva's 120 kilos and is a very strong fighter. Also, I think it would be good if PRIDE had an under-85 kilos weight class as well. There are a lot of good fighters in that class, including Anderson (Silva). They all train the same way I do and they are all very strong.
PRIDE: How long do you think it will take until Chute Boxe Academy fighters hold both PRIDE titles?
Silva: If you give us a shot at the Heavyweight title, (the Championship) will become Chute Boxe's. Murilo Ninja's brother, Shogun, weighs 94 kilos. I think that he will also fight for PRIDE.
PRIDE: Sakuraba has had a tough time since his losses to you. What do you think Sakuraba can do to turn it around?
Silva: Sakuraba fought well from the very beginning of the fight yesterday. It was just an unfortunate result. The only thing Sakuraba needs now is a little bit of good luck.