Right after Thiago Silva knocked Rafael Cavalcante out at the weekend’s TUF Brasil 2 Finale, he was called out by former team mate Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva via Twitter.
“Thiago weighs 105kg, he’s a heavyweight and has to drop weight [to fight at 205lbs division]. We have an issue to be solved, so he could accept to fight me at heavyweight,” Bigfoot posted.
Thiago, formerly Bigfoot’s team mate at American Top Team but now down the road at The Blackzilians camp, responded at the post-fight conference.
“If Bigfoot wants to fight with me, he must drop from his weight class. He might be upset that I left ATT. I have nothing to say to him. Wanna fight? Go down to 93kg,” he said.
After the press conference however, he went much further. Speaking to Brazilian media he said, “I would fight him whenever he wants. I trained with Bigfoot for three years. Ask him what he ever did to me. He was beaten like a little dog.
“Tell that big fool to come over here then we will see what’s what. For me it’s OK but, he talks a lot that guy, he is stupid. I don’t like him at all. Anytime he wants, man, especially if its for money! We can even do it for free, let’s go.”
Now Bigfoot has responded via Fighters Only Brazil. He says he was nothing but support for Thiago at American Top Team. Now Bigfoot is with Team Nogueira, so ATT isn’t an issue, and he says he wouldn’t rule out cutting weight to take on “chicken” Thiago inside the Octagon.
Fighters Only: What has motivated you to call Thiago Silva out?
Bigfoot: I had so much respect and consideration for him at one time. Besides being a good training partner, I had him as a friend. When he had a problem at ATT, I was the only one who was on his side until the end.
I used to visit his house and he did mine, I was something of a brother to him and he simply stabbed me in the back and cheated me. He said I’m upset because he left ATT, but he knows its not because of that why I’m mad.
Fighters Only: He stated that he will accept the fight if you drop weight. What do you make of his answer?
Bigfoot: I thought he was a coward. Many fighters perform at different weight classes, for example Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson. I personally will attend the doctors to see if I am able to lose weight without spoiling my health. If can do it, I will drop weight to make this fight for sure.
Fighters Only: If you bumped into Thiago in person now, what would you have to say?
Bigfoot: Nothing. All I want to do is just fight him because words won’t make him change. He’s mentally sick, we’re completely different people. I am a family guy – I respect my father, mother, wife, I treat my friends well, without pulling their legs*, and I don’t take drugs.
(* euphemism for ‘playing a joke’ )