Anderson Silva has been on a roll in boxing since his departure from the UFC, dominating veteran boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and quickly stopping Tito Ortiz over a span of three months. Now, he’s set to return to the squared circle against … Bruno “Caveira” Machado?
If you’re not familiar with Machado, that’s fine. “Caveira” is a Dubai-based MMA fighter with a record of 15-9 who is the reigning UAE Warriors lightweight champion. The Brazilian was victorious in six MMA fights and expected to be impressed by Dana White, UFC President. White went to an event in Dubai in 2021, but left before Machado beat Mickael Lebout.
Machado admitted that he doesn’t know how he became available to fight Silva in Saturday’s Abu Dhabi event. However, he said it was impossible for him to decline an invitation to take on his Brazilian counterpart, who is “an icon for us like Ayrton Sna or Pele .”
One of the most surprising aspects of this matchup is that Machado will compete at 155 lbs in MMA and that the boxing fight will take place in a catchweight 194 pound. Speaking on this week’s episode of MMA Fighting podcast Trocacao Franca, “Caveira” said he decided not to gain too much weight, expecting to be “faster” than the MMA legend.
“Most people would decide to be heavier and stay around 194 pounds, but I don’t think like that,” Machado said. Machado stated, “I would prefer to be closer to my usual weight in order for me and the fights to go faster. It’s not a problem. I trained with many heavier fighters before .”
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“The Spider”, one of his “heavier” fighters, is someone he has trained previously. Machado, his wife and children, moved to Dubai full-time. He lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and was trained by Team Nogueira. There, he picked up a few tips from former UFC middleweight champion.
Machado trained with Eduardo Pachu, a veteran MMA coach and Gabriel Braga, a rising prospect. Gabriel was coached by Diego Braga (father of “The Spider”) for his last UFC fights.
“I’ve evolved a lot since that time I trained with [Silva],” he said. “I was just a kid when I trained with him, I didn’t know much of striking. He would often come and offer me advice. Anderson’s style has changed significantly since that time, and I am expecting this fight to reflect what I witnessed there. Anderson is a phenom, a martial arts master, and I’m so glad to be able to do this with him.”
Silva vs. Machado is an eight-round exhibition match, but “Caveira” said he’s “training as if it was a 12-round match.” Machado said he has previous experience in the squared circle, having gone 4-1 in an amateur boxing tournament in Dubai back in 2014, knocking out his first four opponents before losing a decision in the final.
” “It’s going be a fantastic show for the fans,” Machado stated. A fight is just that, a fight. We never know what will happen. I will be ready and willing to fight. It’s impossible to say that I will knock him out. I can’t go into a fight making predictions. We’ll see. I’ll have my advantages, he’ll have his advantages. He’s more experienced than me, but I’m younger, lighter, and faster. You can be sure of a great show.
” I think that he will be faster than me because of his weight. I also know his punch could be a bit heavier than mine, but I’m also ready for that. I’m going into his fight knowing the bad things that can happen to me, but I’m very confident that my speed and age [will play a big factor]. I’m 10 years younger.”
Machado believes, too that Silva could be a “unknown” opponent in a fight against an international combat sports star when the bell rings.
“I think he’ll have that pressure over him,” Machado said. “I have no pressure over me, my head is clear to think only about the fight and the things that will happen inside the ring. But Anderson is very experienced and I know he’s preparing to face someone unknown and the weight it might add.”
A life-changing chance to confront “The Spider”, could propel Machado’s MMA career or boost his profile in a new sport. We may never know. If things turn out Saturday, it is possible that “Caveira”, who had hoped to fight in the UFC’s main event, will instead pursue boxing.
“I’m not sure if [a win] can guarantee me a contract at the UFC,” said he. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know what might happen after this fight. They might call me for more boxing matches, other [MMA] promotions might call me, too. A lot can happen. I expect good things to come.”
