Jean Silva believes he is the one responsible for boosting the hype of UFC 314.
Following Jean Silva`s challenge to Bryce Mitchell after his recent victory, the UFC quickly arranged a fight between them for April 12th. To promote their upcoming bout, both fighters participated in a press conference in early March in Las Vegas. During the press conference, Silva chose to mock Mitchell`s flat Earth theory with a globe, rather than address Mitchell`s objectionable Hitler remarks.
“This fight has become the people’s main event because I promoted it,” Silva stated in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Let’s be real, who’s carrying this event? When was the last time you saw a press conference like this? It was Conor McGregor. Nobody else has done that. And it’s authentic. I love it. I’ve imagined myself doing this many times. And just wait for the next one, I’ll do even more.”
“Also, he’s been talking a lot of nonsense. Even Americans are supporting me because of the things he’s said. And it’s all good, man. He’s a hillbilly. After I defeat him and get my bonus and my money, we’ll celebrate with a hillbilly party. It’s funny because I just came from an Armenian party, because Melsik was Armenian, and now I’m going to a hillbilly party. Cool. Let’s go!”
Silva mentioned seeing social media comments urging him to beat up Mitchell for his remarks even before Silva`s victory over Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle. However, Silva clarified that he doesn`t feel any animosity towards his opponent.
“I’ve never had that desire to beat him up,” Silva explained. “Let me be clear, I never did. He’s the person I care about most from now until our fight. I pray for him, for his family, for his dreams to come true, and it will be the same on the 12th. His dream will come true: hands will be raised, but it won’t be his. He’s a good person, someone who supports others, and his dream will happen on the 12th. He’ll definitely see someone else’s hand raised. But it’s not like I dreamed of hurting him. I’ve never felt hate, none of that for anyone I face. I don’t even see him as an opponent. He’s just someone who will work for me that day. He’ll be another step on my path to success. I don’t have the animosity that others have.”
“I understand why everyone is upset about the things he’s said, but I don’t have that hate in my heart. If you watch my fights, ‘Lord’ is not a coward. I don’t keep hitting someone who doesn’t want to fight anymore. It will be the same this time. Bryce will quit, and Lord won’t be cruel or cowardly to keep hitting him. It’s out of place, right? It’s interesting to look back at Nordic times when wars were to the death, but it’s different now. We are building a different kind of battle where the opponent can quit, tap out, or say they don’t want to fight anymore, and the fight is over. That will happen. He will quit. I won’t keep hitting him because that’s not who I am. He’ll be defeated like everyone else who has been defeated, and like others will be defeated, because I’m the best at what I do and it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. God made it this way. I like myself, and those who don’t can take it up with God.”
Following the press conference, Mitchell surprisingly claimed on social media that Silva was sending “legions of demons” to haunt his dreams. Again, Silva was unconcerned by his comments.
“I think he’s promoting the fight,” Silva said. “We’re talking about the No. 13-ranked fighter. He’s not stupid, he knows what he’s doing, you know? Does he have some issues in his head? Probably, considering the things he’s said, but it doesn’t bother me at all. I just want him to show up on the 12th.”
“What would bother me is if he doesn’t show up, because then I’ll have to go to his gym and beat him up. He has to show up on the 12th. He can say whatever he wants, brother. He can insult my mother, my father, my wife, my son. All he has to do is show up on the 12th. Other than that, it doesn’t matter.”
Wesley Dunham