Daniel da Silva Hopes ‘Fight of the Night’ With C.J. Vergara Keeps Him in UFC

With an 0-4 Ultimate Fighting Championship record, Daniel da Silva believes his excitement factor can keep him a place on the roster.

Da Silva and C.J. Vergara squared off at UFC on ESPN 43 in March, and the Brazilian fighter was having arguably his best Octagon performance to date in the first round. Having dominated the opening frame, da Silva could not maintain his pace and pressure, and ultimately wilted to Vergara to suffer his fourth stoppage loss in a row. The two competitors pocketed “Fight of the Night” bonus checks for their back-and-forth battle, and the fighter known as “Miojo” – a popular brand name of ramen noodles – is not concerned about job security. The 26-year-old spoke to Sherdog about his fight and what he thinks is in his future.

“I was upset in my first three losses, where I was badly trained and couldn't show all my potential,” da Silva admitted. “In this fight with Vergara, I was able to show the result of nine months training [at] Chute Boxe, a team that gives me all the structure. The first round was almost a 10-7, and that’s how I fight. My goal is always [to] finish and bring entertainment to the fans, and the biggest proof [the] UFC likes that was the bonus of ‘Fight of the Night.’”

Trained at the vaunted Chute Boxe camp helmed by Diego Lima, da Silva works with many talented competitors in the sport like Charles Oliveira, Mayra Bueno Silva and Elves Brener Oliveira, among plenty of others. The facility provides for all facets of his fight career, including coaching in various grappling and striking disciplines, along with fight recovery professionals like doctors and trainers, along with specialized nutritionists. With his first full camp under his belt, da Silva believes that he has more to offer, and that the UFC will give him one last chance.

“There are great things coming. Unfortunately, I can’t say yet. But with all the high level of sparring we have in Chute Boxe, all I can say is that I’ll be ready to return soon. I have no doubt I’m able to face a top-10 [opponent], and I’ll show that on practice. I just don’t believe a top contender will accept to fight with me now, but I know all my potential and I’m sure that I’ll conquer my place, climbing the rankings with my future results,” the Chute Boxe student concluded.