TAMPA, Fla. – Felipe Silva improved his featherweight record to 2-0 in just a few months following his victory at UFC on ESPN 63.
However, the 145-pound division may not have a new long-term prospect. After defeating Miles Johns (15-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on Saturday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., Silva (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) revealed his intention to return to the bantamweight division, where he aims to capture a title.
“I want to take my time, of course,” Silva said at his post-fight news conference. “We’re going to say yes to all the (names) that come. We’re going to be right for everything and let it flow. (Whatever name) comes, we’re going to grab it.”
“One day I’ll move up, but right now I’m ’35. My goal is to be a bantamweight champion one day.”
Silva was the Oktagon MMA bantamweight champion when he signed with the UFC earlier this year for a short-notice fight against Muhammad Naimov after Melsik Baghdasaryan withdrew. That bout took place at featherweight, and Silva seized the opportunity to enter the UFC even at a higher weight.
He capitalized on the moment with a third-round submission victory and earned a $50,000 post-fight bonus. The follow-up saw Johns move to featherweight after a couple of bantamweight fights against former champion Cody Garbrandt were canceled, but he faced a formidable opponent in Silva, who expressed his desire to keep ascending the ranks, especially after receiving international support outside Brazil.
“By the end of the 2025, I want to finish in the top 10, top 11. That’s my goal. Doesn’t matter (who I fight) – who’s above? I want to fight them.”
“It feels amazing to be in UFC, especially because it’s my first time in America. Fighting here is something else. The American fans, they were great. They were super nice and they have a great energy. I was walking on street to get some fresh air. (Fans) stopped me. I felt so much love.”
Check out Silva’s full post-fight interview in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.
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